This class is hard and yet still a blast at the same time, which is extremely rare. You must write everything down from lecture and you must know every little detail. But Merricks is a cool guy and the semester's TA was an actual Dominican Monk, which makes sense since its philosophy of religion. Overall, I'd say take the class, but make sure to understand everything.

Trenton Merricks is one of the best professors on grounds. He will memorize everyone's name on the very first day of class (60 people at once! I don't know how he does it) and facilitate discussion throughout the entire course. If you want a good start into Philosophy or are just interested in a very fun class centered around the existence/non-existence of God, this is a great course. Merricks pushes you to really think and will challenge you during discussion in class, but loves when you argue back and will really listen to what you have to say. The readings are dense but thought-provoking. Great class!

Professor Merricks is an amazing professor -- he makes classes interesting with his hilarious personal anecdotes and memorizes every students' name! Even though the material is difficult to grasp, he stops to answer all questions and is easily accessible during office hours. Philosophy of Religion itself is a thought-provoking class as well, and you don't need to do the readings before class (unless you want to tackle the material yourself) because they're just confusing and Merricks explains everything you need to know in class. Your grade for this test depends on your average of 3 tests throughout the semester with HUGE curves on them - the TA went through each question during the discussion after and explained what points were based off, so you would always know why you got points taken off. The discussion section for us was optional but I'd highly recommend going, as the TA reviews material from lecture in a clearer manner. It's easy to succeed in the course if you get yourself a study group and put in effort to study before exams, especially since Merricks releases a full study guide a week or two before the exam with the questions that will appear on the exam.

Professor Merricks is easily one of the best professors in the philosophy department. He is very engaging, and definitely sets up the class in such a way so that it is easy to follow. He learns everyone's names in a 40-60 person class, which is pretty impressive. He's very approachable, and the subject matter and arguments that we cover are very interesting. . There are only 3 tests for this class, so no final during finals week, and Merricks curves each of the tests. You receive back your raw score as well as the letter grade that your score gets. He also gives you a study guide that is extremely helpful. I met up with a friend a few days (2 days t the very least before each test to grind the study guides. Make sure you can answer each question in full (that is, without omitting any relevant details), and on your own, and then you should be fine. I used this strategy and I received an A in the course. For any questions you are unsure of, Merricks is really helpful and likes to talk to students in his office hours, so its easy to clear up any lingering questions there or with a TA. Also, I definitely stopped doing the reading at a point...as is the theme with a lot of philosophy courses, the professors usually clear up what you need to know in lecture anyway. Very satisfying course, would highly recommend to others to take it with a friend!

Merricks is one of the best professors I have had at UVA. He makes classes so interesting, I loved him so much I took his metaphysics class without having any idea what metaphysics was. There is assigned reading, but it's hard to understand without going over it in class and Merricks thoroughly covers it in class, so I learned plenty without doing any reading. There are only three tests and he gives you study guides with exactly what will be on the test. The class was very manageable, fun and interesting I recommend it even to people who have never taken philosophy before.

The only grades come from three tests throughout the semester, and the tests are hard. But if you prepare for them and go to all the review sessions and listen to everything the TA says, it is possible to get a good grade. The material is mostly interesting and is a good introduction to philosophy. It's not entirely necessary to do the readings if you pay attention in lecture.

This class is incredible; definitely one of the best classes I have taken at UVA thus far. Professor Merricks is extremely knowledgable and engaging; its one of those classes that flies by and you don't want it to end. The material is fascinating and makes you think deeply about all sorts of issues. That being said, it's not an easy course and requires a lot of studying and preparing for tests. Go to section, it really helps clarify confusing material (Adam is a fantastic TA). Take this class!!! You have to put in work, but it's extremely rewarding and well worth all the effort.

Merricks is a great professor. Very excited and happy to teach, and generally quite clear. Definitely a philosophy course, with examples and topics regarding religion and some philosophical issues that have lasted for years. Doesn't cover much about religions in detail, but mostly arguments for and against the existence of a Christian God.

Your grade is just made up of three noncumulative tests, and everything on the tests come from the study questions he gives out, which come straight from his lectures. Doing well is pretty doable, if you study enough for the tests. Took it just for fun with no prior philosophy experience, and got an A. You must attend every class and take notes to do well, because the readings are really supplementary (you don't really have to do them). Topics can be a little confusing at times, and so can the TA. Answer the study questions and go to office hours the week before the tests to check your answers or for help.

This is a wonderful course! Professor Merricks lectures on all the material in class, and John does a great job reviewing it once a week in discussion. Professor Merricks is clear about his expectations and it is very possible to succeed in the course if you go to class and put in the effort before the exams. Also it's super fun and interesting! I've been inspired to be a philosophy major.

Such a good class! Merricks is a fantastic lecturer, so funny! Reading isn't necessary at all, especially because they are so long!! But attending lecture is NECESSARY- Merricks really explains everything you need to know for the tests.
No essays, only 3 tests and that's your grade.