Many of us took the class after seeing his welcoming personality on day one. But with time, you will get fed up because professor's grading style is very unfair and does not enable creativity. He does not like it when you change the words that he said even slightly. That is a sign that he does not know what he is doing. Take another class.

If you have the chance to take this class, DEFINETLY DO! But if you are anticipating a busy quarter, DEFINETLY DO NOT! This class is very difficult and only rewarding if you are able to put the time into engaging with the readings. Prepare to make yourself into a funny character for Prof Carlson to play games with or do not speak in class.

If you enjoy writing and philosophy, you'll love this class. Took it last year and I still connect concepts we learned with current events and general happenings. Carlson involves students in his "lectures", which are more like talks if anything, making him very personable. Also Shelby was an amazing TA.

My favorite professor. The entire class is set up like a lecture, but is not carried out like one. He doesn't have a powerpoint slide, he just talks to us. But he talks like a conversation, he is extremely open to interruptions to discuss what students think about the topic at hand. He is a lot of fun to listen to. Lot's of reading.

I took this class for a GE and it was quite challenging. However, the key is to do all the readings (no textbook but the reader) and understand the concept of each philosopher. I skipped quite a few classes but I still ended up with an A in class by paying attention in section and doing all the readings. Overall, he is a great, funny professor!

Absolutely love Carlson! He is so knowledgeable about the subject and really explains everything. BUT there was A LOT of material to know/memorize, but I studied and ended up with a good grade. You do an essay instead of a midterm & it wasn't hard at all. And for the final, just study all the concepts & you'll do fine. STRONGLY suggest this class!

I honestly really liked him at first. He seemed funny, interesting, & incredibly smart. Yet, even though I received an A on the midterm, he gave me a C in the class. I e-mailed to inquire if it was due to lack of participation (I have severe social anxiety), or bc my final paper was poor (it wasn't), he ignored my e-mail. Only take if outgoing.

Honestly this class was the most interesting I took all year. It is really tedious though, so I decided to take it pass no pass. if you can sacrifice a p/np this class is worth it. Fills GEs and isn't complete BS. Carlson is kind of awkward and expects people to speak up, even though its in a large lecture hall. The readings are hard, but do them!

I loved this class! Carlson is a difficult teacher but he makes class very interesting. No power points, so you have to attend lectures and pay close attention. TA's were useful and helpful. If you do the reading and pay CLOSE attention in lecture, you will do well!

One of my favorite professors. He clearly explains the material and answers questions very well. He likes to pick on students but it's always good natured and hilarious. Some people are too insecure to laugh at themselves. The key to doing well in this class is to read and annotate. Go to his final review. This class was difficult and rewarding

This is a philosophy class more than it is a religion class. The professor is obnoxious, rude, and unhelpful. He has a tendency to go off on tangents unrelated to the material, and the man appears to have class pets, which is annoying if your participation affects your grade. RUN AWAY!!!

amazing! hard but interesting if you keep up with the reading. DONT FALL BEHIND!

tough, but rewarding make sure to do the reading and speak up in class

The class was not as difficult as the professor expressed the first week of class. The material was interesting and you could relate it to your life, religious or not. Unfortunately, Carlson is a prick. He often went of subject and when he did it became personal, like critiquing the student lifestyle, I was often offended.

I thought that this professor was rude and certainly not "brilliant." Also, someone said hot? I say NOT!!!

Professor totally unhelpful except in class, and even then I found his answers to be one-sided. TA was nice.

Be prepared to work hard in this class. The reader has some difficult primary texts, but the professor and TA helped to make it more understandable. The class was really interesting and worthwhile. It reminded me more of a philosophy class though.

I loved this guy! Really tried to get to know his students and by the end knew and used most people's names. He's been one of my favorite professors at UCSB. VEry engaging and enthusiastic, though his course was a little harder than expected. I was really sad when the quarter was over though, I'll miss him!

An ass? Definitely. Brilliant? Extremely. He will not make it easy for you. You go to class, read, understand the concepts and you're good. Puts crazy emphasis on participation so if you're shy, don't take this class. He's the only professor who I thought was very capable/charismatic, but didn't really like personally.

No Comments

No Comments

No Comments

Helpful???NOT!!!! I was unfairly graded and was never given a simple email response back to explain. I got solid B's on nearly all the assignments and got a C- in the class. Why? Because I didn't "ACTIVALLY participate"(says the TA). Fair? I don't think so! But Carlson doesn't seem to care much.

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.