HIGHLY RECOMMEND. One of the BEST classes I've taken at UVA.

This class was my first religious studies class at UVA, and I loved it. The class is structured around very thought-provoking readings that are not too difficult to comprehend overall. We had interesting discussions every class and heard from multiple guest lecturers who were all great intellectuals.

Professor Marsh is potentially the best professor I have had at UVA. He truly cares about his students, and it's clear that he is eager to learn from us too. He has a love for learning that I really admire. He is so obviously intelligent, and his lectures are very informative and engaging. He is also very funny and will go off-topic to tell you the most ridiculous life story you've ever heard.

The class structure is very easy. You would have to actively try to not get an A. Each week, he sets out a chunk of class time for "scholarly journals" where you write personal reflections on the readings or religious thinkers of the week's topic. The midterm exam is very simple (identification of passage and summarizing the thinkers' arguments). The final is just a compilation of your scholarly journals with some added personal insights. Participation is a portion of the grade as well, and he is always eager to hear from students (especially people who don't speak so often).

If Professor Marsh is teaching this class again, you've got to take it.