This class was quite difficult. But though the material was very demanding, Prof. Carlson help make it manageable. He has a real gift for conveying complex ideas to the lay-person and he is very approachable. I would highly recommend taking his courses - though do be prepared for some hard work.

I don't care how "good" of a teacher this guy is, it is not worth the bad grade and ridiculous amount of work involved. I had to sacrifice all other classes to barely get the work done in this class. The final exam was very unfair, nothing like the study sheet. If you like torture, then I could suggest this class, good luck!

A lot of people don't take the class because they think that RG ST 80 A&B are prerequisites, that's false. Anyway,I agree with previous reviews that this class is one of the most meaningful classes at UCSB. You will not regret it if you take it. Material is very interesting, professor is awesome and the class is very provocative but hard. Take it!

Brilliant, hilarious, and completely inspirational. He can take the most bland material and make you question the meaning of life. AMAZING. One of the only professors that actually made me think differently about the world. No matter what your major is, take one of this courses, you'll thank yourself later.

amidst the top three professors i've ever had the pleasure of studying under

he's a self-righteous, egotistical, ****, but he's smart.

I loved this class! Very challenging, you have to keep up with the reading. However, the reading is really interesting, so if you are willing to put the work in, it isn't bad at all. Plus, he is VERY nice to look at. Watching someone that brilliant and hot makes going to class seem far more exciting!

The most challenging and rewarding experience of my college career. Highly recomend any Carlson class. Be ready for an ass kicking though!

His class was so hard I had to make it P/NP in order not to drop my GPA. His materials were interesting, but he's way too anal with writing. His grading standards are pretty high, too.

more of a philosophy class than a religion class, but sill very interesting. Carlson was very funny and insightful and taught the material well. the material is pretty tough, but managable especially if you get help from carlson or the TAs. all-around great class. highly recommended!

Carlson was one of the best professors I've ever had, even though he was just in his late 20's. He taught me more about good concise writing than any english teacher ever did, and also presented one of the truly challenging courses I took over 4 years.

Prof. Carlson is so intelligent. The material for this class was pretty dense but was pretty interesting. I liked this course a lot because it was focused more on philosophy than religion. If you are willing to work hard, you will get a lot out of it because he is one of the best professors I have had here. Really awesome course

very intelligent with true desire to teach. (rare quality in professors) hard material, but makes it interesting and explains ideas well. as for hot rating....i think he looks like a grown up verion of those orphan cartoons from back in the day.

He is truly a gift to the academic world. He is brilliant and yet engages students in the material, a rare combination among Ph.Ds. Among my 4 years at UCSB, he was (and most likely still is), by far, the best professor here. He is an inspiration.

One of the best at UCSB, hands down. Difficult, but you appreciate the fact that he respects the students enough to give us challenging stuff. If you go to lecture, you should do fine. Lectures are really provocative. DEFINTELY take anything you can with this Professor. Really hot, too!!

Most amazing class and prof. I have had in my 4 years here. In fact, I just sent him an e-mail eecentky thanking him because I've never been in a class where I left intrigued after every lecture and spent time thinking about the material. Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Any class he teaches, take it. One of the most brilliant and intriguing men you will come across. VERY difficult, but always worth it. You will work harder in this class than ever before, but will leave with more information than you knew you could.