Professor Andruss is just great. You can tell how deeply she cares about Islamic (and broader Middle Eastern) history and culture and, even more importantly, how to teach such a topic in a meaningful way that addresses its underlying beauty.

I thought Islam was interesting going into it, and I came out feeling like I'd consumed more knowledge about Islam than anything else I've studied before. Reading assignments are heavy and practically necessary, but reading about Islamic tax law for 4 hours outside by the rotunda is still a memory I hold near and dear.

Study properly for the final. Everything that can be on it will be, and you'll use every minute of your three hours. That said, the whole class was incredibly rewarding; Professor Andruss is a kind and passionate wealth of knowledge, and you'll leave with a far greater curiosity and appreciation for Islam than when you came in, whether you enter as someone raised in a Muslim family or you have little experience with organized religion period.