Jay Holstein - University of Iowa

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Jay Holstein - University of Iowa

Professor: Jay Holstein

Department: Theology

College: University of Iowa

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: QUEST001
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

His class Quest for Human Destiny absolutely changed my life. I think everyone needs to take it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I took Quest For Human Destiny with Professor Holstein in the 1980's. His class still impacts me today. One of the main things that has impacted me was his commentary on the meaning of "truth." "What is truth?"he would ask." Is something true because your mother, father, rabbi, priest say so?" My wife took his class in 2007. Worth it!

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: RELS2775
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Overall, he's a great lecturer and won't tell you the right answers. He really makes you think critically and makes you understand the big picture, not just simple regurgitation of reading assignments. He only has two tests and one essay for the entire grade of the class, but his curve is pretty generous. He has the nickname "the swearing rabbi"

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Favorite class I've taken at Iowa. You actually need to read and pay attention but the content is so interesting you'll actually want to. At least if you're into religion and figuring out the meaning of life and stuff like that. I hate lectures but I actually wanted to attend his.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I decided to take this class after hearing about Prof. Holstein from a friend of mine His lectures are always entertaining and he always is throwing out tons of information. He will make you think about ideas that go beyond the classroom. I wish he was teaching this class again because I would definitely recommend it to everyone. Great class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I took Quest because my dad took the same class with Holstein in the 80's. He is definitely an entertainer. Yes, he doesn't really know how to teach but taking the class is worth the hype. He knows what he is talking about and has a ton of experience. If you get on his good side this class will be awesome. His class isn't for everyone though.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

EVERYONE NEEDS TO EXPERIENCE A CLASS WITH HOLSTEIN. Yeah he goes off on tangents but he is so interesting and entertaining! His stories are hilarious. I was always repeating his stories to my friends and family. He is so funny and so knowledgable. Best professor I've ever had. Go out of your way to experience a class with him, you won't regret it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Holstein's classes were outstanding. I've taken two classes with him and they're extremely interesting, and definitely worth your tuition.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Holstein was such a joy to have as a professor. Yes, he can get confusing with his lectures, but he is honestly so hilarious and really interesting to listen to.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: RELS2775
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I have completed over 130 school hours of college classes and Jay is by far my favorite professor. He is teaching past what you will be tested on, but if all you are interested in is a good grade he makes it pretty simple for you... take notes read the books. Not to much to study and tests are easy if you just read over your notes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Never take Quest for Human Destiny. All this professor does it loudly talk in circles - I didn't learn anything. He doesn't make use of any visual aid other than writing a few words on the board, making it hard to follow in addition to his frequent and useless tangents. 010

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: RELS1903
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Best teacher I've ever had. The lectures are confusing but the tests aren't difficult if you read the material and pay attention. His lessons usually go beyond the classroom and his stories are great.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: RELS003
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you value learning over grades Jay is the right professor for you. His awareness of the human condition goes above and beyond the rest of academia. Hilarious and kind, not a moment is wasted (even when he talks about cats). A friend who had him in the 70's summed it up: "In one lecture Holstein would give you enough info to ponder for a week."

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: QUEST
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Hilarious and crazy, but absolutely sucks when it comes to actually teaching material. He will make an excuse saying that the material is so complex that there's no better way to explain it, but in reality he's just bad. Quizzes every single discussion section were absolutely ridiculous. Big reading load also.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: QUEST1
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Had high expectations, he's a nice, genuine guy...but was totally lost in the class still not sure what exactly the point of that course was to be honest. Seemed to go in circles and would talk about the same thing many times.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: QUEST001
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I was very disappointed in this class. Holstein seems to actually make things hard for students to understand on purpose, even when they honestly are trying to learn. He often comes to vague conclusions or none at all. His tirades during class were funny, but got old. I had high expectations for this class which were not met at all.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: QUEST001
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Returned this semester after an illness which he spoke of at length in lecture, and apologized later for abandoning the class - blamed his medication. Unable to clearly articulate his ideas, spent half of semester on one subject, which still wasn't satisfactorily covered. Tried to wow the class with a new subject in the last weeks. Failed to do so.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: RELG001
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Wow is all I have to say. I took this class because I like religious studies and man he was a great professor. His lectures are crazy and spontaneous which makes it overall very worth while to take.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: QUEST003
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great teacher. When I originally came into this class I found things he said to be offensive and I was about ready to drop the course. I am so happy I actually stayed in the class. I sit right up front everyday and (as corny as it might sound) he makes me think about what my life means and what I should be doing with it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: QUEST001
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Interesting guy. I took this class as a filler, and it honestly isn't my type of class but I'm glad I experienced it. If you like structured lectures he's not the guy for you. Lots of reading but the tests aren't that bad as long as you go to lecture and pay attention and read the books. It's definitely an experience to take one of his classes!

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