RELC 1210

Big fan of this class. As a Christian, I really enjoyed being able to get the historical context for what is actually going on in the Old Testament. Halvorson-Taylor is very fair about how she approaches the subject and makes it a welcome class for believers and non-believers alike. The tests are basically brute memorization of over a hundred ID terms, but they overlap and as long as you've been doing the readings and take time to study you'll be fine. Rather a lot of work for a 1000 level class, but well worth it if you are interested in this subject. Jon Holste is a great TA.

Halvorson-Taylor is a fantastic lecturer. She knows the material inside and out and has a passion for the subject that makes the class engaging, even with almost 200 people. There's quite a bit of reading that can be overwhelming sometimes, but they end up dropping two papers. Mid-terms are pretty straight forward and she gives you a study guide, though with a little too much detail. She gives over 125 terms to know but only asks for 10 on the exam. Overall enjoyed the class and she's very nice if you go talk with her. Nice way to knock out Non-Western and Historical requirements

An incredible lecturer. Class is definitely doable- but, actually do all your readings lol. Also talk to your TA to improve your essays- get feedback

There are a lot of mixed reviews for this course, so allow me to clarify something- yes, it is a lot of work for a 1000 level class, but trust me, it is worth it. If you are here at UVA to learn and not to just get good grades, take this class.

The Professor is extremely personable, charismatic, and explains biblical theory in an understandable and engaging way. I did not really have much knowledge on the Hebrew Bible before this course, but I found the readings were not hard to comprehend and the four papers were max 2 pages. TAs all grade the same and all have knowledge of the material and how to teach.

The final may seem overwhelming to some (as you can see in other reviews), but it is not if you just go to lecture. Halvorson-Taylor is not out to get you or make it overly hard. She picks terms she thoroughly discussed in class and always gives you options on which you would like to talk about (eg pick 4 of the 8 terms...). I highly recommend going to office hours in this class if you are struggling with a particular concept.

If you want an easy A, do not take this. But if you are interested in what this course offers, odds are you will enjoy and excel in this course.

I did not know anything about the Bible before entering this class, and i found it extremely interesting! Halvorson-Taylor is an amazing and knowledgeable professor! However, you should really think if you want to take this class if you are not a religion major or have a heavy courseload, because the readings are hefty and numerous and you need to keep up with them to do well. I am premed, so I had a hard time keeping up with the readings during the second half of the class, and that really hurt my final grade.

I really enjoyed this class! I had a background in Christianity, so for me this definitely helped. I would not necessarily recommend this class if you are not at all interested in religion and/or history because the course is very much structured around the history of the Jewish religion. This class is not easy (the midterm is crazy because they only give you 50 min) but if you don't mind reading and writing and are interested in the topic, it's definitely worthwhile! Ashley Tate is the best TA!

I found this class very interesting, but for a 1000 level it is not worth the reading or difficulty. I've grown up around the Church and am very family with its history and everything, and I still struggle to keep an A in the class. Not to mention the mid-term is only 50 minutes when it should be about 3 hours- literally nobody stopped writing when they called time. All in all, it fulfilled some requirements so that was nice.. but it simply wasn't worth the work if you aren't genuinely interested in the Old Testament. As for people being "blown away" by lecture, I'm not sure what they are talking about.. reading the textbook, doing the homework, and going to discussion is the most important part. She gives you a study guide for exams and you simply memorize that and hope you can answer the essay.

Professor Halvorson-Taylor is the best! This class made me want to declare my Religious Studies major. You leave every lecture in awe! To the people who downrated this class because "you actually have to pay attention," shame on you. This class DESERVES attention. Don't take it because you think it will be easy (it isn't hard; despite what a previous reviewer said, you don't need previous knowledge of the Bible and she lays out all the terms on the midterm and the final for you in midterm reviews), take it because the material is interesting and you're ready to learn--as you should be as a student at UVA anyway.

This class was not worth it for a 1000 level. You have to pay attention or you miss small details and the final has an extremely large number of terms to memorize and ridiculous passage IDs. Don't take unless you have a lot of background Biblical knowledge.

This class was pretty interesting, but it was a lot of work for a lower-level introductory religion class. Professor H-T was a great lecturer and very knowledgeable about the subject, but class was very demanding and required a lot of effort. Ashleigh was a great TA and made discussions enjoyable as well. Overall, a good class that requires a lot of hard work and effort just to pull off an A-.

I am shocked at the number of positive reviews that have been posted for this class. While Professor Halvorson-Taylor is a genuinely nice person and a relatively good lecturer, this class is terrible in so many ways. Firstly, it tries to do WAY too much for a 1200 level religion course. Religious studies classes are typically a cake walk, but this class DEMANDS your full attention or you will get a bad grade. The readings numerous, and so similar that you will be confused quickly. Midterm/Final has a study guide, but gives you a list of 150+ terms to memorize when only 8 will be on the exams. TA Hoffman has ridiculous expectations for papers, grades relatively unfairly. As a student who excels in critical writing, I was shocked to be averaging a "check" on the discussion papers. Also that note, they try to use section as basically another lecture with all new material instead of reviewing the lecture material. Overall, avoid. There are much easier classes in the department that you can still learn a great deal in.

Professor Halvoson-Taylor is probably one of my favorite professors thus far at UVA. She does a great job of explaining and connecting the material and lectures are really interesting. Throughout the semester, I've found that I have a much better grasp on the content, history, and analysis of the Old Testament.

I AM OBSESSED WITH HALVERSON-TAYLOR. Take this class. If I had one piece of advice to give every single student at the University of Virginia, it would be to take this class. You won't regret it.

Absolutely excellent class. Professor H-T is incredibly kind, helpful, and interesting. It's fascinating listening to her lecture on this subject and I enjoyed coming to every class. The readings aren't that long at the beginning of the semester, but it picks up as the semester goes on. Unfortunately, the readings also get more boring near the end of the semester too. However, this was an incredible class that everyone should take, even if you're not interested in Religious Studies. You learn a lot about the Bible and about the history of the Jews, and you learn about controversies in the Bible that I had never even thought of before. David's also an amazing TA; very personable and friendly. Take his section.

This was my favorite class of the semester! Professor Halvorson-Taylor is a very engaging lecture and never put me to sleep. She is also incredibly easy to take notes to. The material was interesting and encouraged critical thinking. My section was always fun and thought provoking with Andrew Guffey. I definitely recommend this class!

The earlier part of the semester is easier and more interesting. Be sure to pay MORE attention during the second half. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help on your essays. The course requires discussion postings and 4 short essays on the check scale, but you have multiple chances for check-pluses.

This is a great class. I'd recommend it to anyone who's always wanted to read the Bible but hasn't gotten around to doing it. Even if you don't want to become a Religious Studies major, it's a fairly easy way of getting the History and Non-Western Perspective requirements out of the way at one time. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would, even in the first few classes. Most of the material is interesting, although a few of the books are boring reads, Prof. H-T still manages to give great lectures. I haven't heard anything bad about the TAs, so I don't think you can go wrong. Everyone's required to do four short papers, but they aren't that difficult and can easily be completed the day before they're due. The midterm seemed very rushed, but if you study a lot you should get a good grade.

This class is definitely enjoyable. Professor H-T is very passionate about the subject material and she is very knowledgeable. Doesn't put very much material on the slides, so you pretty much have to write down everything she says in lecture. Sections are enjoyable too, and the midterm is not too difficult.

The topics covered in the class are really interesting- you definitely have to do the Bible reading, but the Coogan textbook is generally helpful just for filling in the gaps in class. A decent amount of writing involved, but the TAs are great about helping you develop a good argument writing style. Overall an awesome class!

If you take this class make sure you get Andrew. He is awesome in section and really helps you to enjoy the class and engage in the material. He is also known as a fair grader while some of the others are considered a little more difficult graders.

this is a great class... for first years

Best class I have taken so far here at UVA. She is by far my favorite teacher as well. I only missed one lecture and that was because I was sick. I always looked forward to this class and I am sad it is coming to an end. Highly recommend. I'm not very religious and yet I found this course very interesting. A must take class with her.

This class was well taught and engaging. The discussion section was actually very helpful in reinforcing/diving deeper into the material. The midterm and final were not very difficult if you keep up with the reading. Overall a worthwhile class!

This was an extremely enjoyable class. It is not too hard and Halverson-Taylor is incredible.

This class is quite a bit of reading, but you don't necessarily have to both read the textbook and attend the lectures as most of the material is the same in both. It is important, however, to do the biblical and supplemental reading as on the midterm and final there are quote ID's. Halvorson-Taylor is a good speaker, and lectures are easy to follow but occasionally dry. There is also a good bit of writing in this class, though it does not fulfill a second writing requirement.

Professor Halvorson Taylor is an exceptional speaker and tries to make the class interesting. The class gets a little dry midway through but picks up again. The midterm was fair, be prepared to study a lot.

...Just know your bible...

The class is a humanities and historical requirement, but honestly there are more interesting and easier classes to meet for these requirements out there. She tests on minute details from obscure readings and not really on what you learned.

One of the most miserable TAs I've ever had. I don't think he's learned that being a difficult s.o.b. TA has no bearing on us thinking of him as an esteemed member of academia.

Lots of reading, take only if interested. Fantastic if you are interested at all. Must work for decent grade.

This class has a really heavy reading load, but if you enjoy the Bible and have a basic background in Biblical history it will help you. The midterm and final are pretty general so even though there is a lot of information you don't have to know all of the details. Having to write a paper every week sucks, but you become a much better writer. This was my favorite class, and professor Halvorson-Taylor knows her stuff. She is funny and captivating.

FANTASTIC teacher! I would recommend any class by this professor!

It is a pretty interesting class and not too hard--the class is graded mostly from your midterm and final and she provides a study guide which is nice. She reads off of her lecture notes so the class is boring but she also asks the class a lot of questions so there is some interaction.

Not very much about religious traditions. Its more about the history of the bible and the history of Israel. Its fascinating and worthwhile, Halvorson-Taylor is a good lecturer, but its lots of reading and work.

This course offers a very interesting, non-biased approach to the Judaic tradition. The readings are fascinating, and the weekly assignments (which are not too cumbersome) make you keep up with your work. It's not easy (depending on your TA), but worth the effort.