She's the head of the religion dept. -- for good reasons! She's an awesome teacher. Clear and interesting. (Plus, she went to Sarah Lawrence, where Joseph Campbell taught, so she's "cooler" by association.)

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I can't recommend this class/teacher enough. There's alot of work, reading and writing wise, but she is an incredible person, if you ever thought you might want to know about philosophy and religon have her teach you.

Wonderful teacher. She is so insightful. She gives you ideas to LIVE by. You must take her because she has in indescribable wealth of knowledge. Being in her class is like having an encounter (Buber). The time flies and she is funny. NO TESTS, just 5-2pg papers Seniors have to do 3 only.

An amazing instructor and an amazing person. She is a wealth-spring of interesting and insightful considerations pertaining to both religious studies and life generally. One of the top five professors at Hunter in my opinion!

She is simply amazing. It is a good amount of work and requires you to think but he advice of life in invaluable. If you are up for a challenge her classes are well worth the effort for anyone.

One of the most intellegent teachers that I've seen so far at Hunter. The material is booring but she makes it very interesting. In the beggining you don't know what the hell is going on but as you go along you'll understand.

Knows her material and does have a wonderful sense of humor. For religious ideas, saddened to realize she wants students to regurgitate what she believes. Be damned sure you can justify your original ideas. If you speculate, theorize without definitions, or the worst "sin", NOT HAVE A VERY CLEAR IDEA OF WHO or WHAT GOD IS, avoid this course.

Very informative, very entertaining, don't expect to glide by. There is a lot of work, but it's worth it.

This professor is very easy to get an A with. All you have to do is take good notes and write everything she says in the notes in your papers. For tests, she gives everyone a second chance, so I dont understand how anyone can fail or get a low grade. Even when you're not happy with what you get on your papers, you can rewrite it.

She expects a lot out of her students so if you are looking for an easy A, don't take her class, but if you are looking to learn her classes will be very rewarding. She is just and knowledgeable, inspiring and funny. She encourages class participation but usually steers away from the idiots, which I wish a few of my other professors would do.

IMHO, Professor Sproul is the perfect professor. The reading/writing assignments and lectures are challenging. She is supportive, encouraging and very funny. Yes, she likes to see the lecture material reflected in the papers, to show you have been paying attention. But demonstrating independent thinking is what gets you an "A."

If you don't plan on using you're entire brain then this class isn't for you. Take this class only if you want a challenge, and gain knowledge. At first, I was intimidated, but you have to take the first step to show yourself and her that you care. She will open another window to your life.

The comments here blow my mind. Prof. Sproul is everything one should expect from a professor. She deals with weighty texts and brings clarity to topics that have burdened the greatest minds in thought. Anyone convinced she's a poor professor is most likely unprepared for the demands of higher education.

It is interesting that, here on RateMyProfessors, many negative ratings for writing-intensive classes include spelling and grammar errors. Sproul expects college students to engage in college-level work. If you are ready for it, you will do well.

When Dr.Sproul walked into the class for the first time, I thought uh oh! She looked mean! Then she spoke and charmed me. Then she laid out the course requirements,uh oh,again! I was not thrilled about taking such a writing intensive course. After much sweat and toil I got through earning my lowest grade at Hunter: B+. My proudest accomplishment!

She will put you to work, make no mistake about that. But it's doable (I was making A's like nobody's business) Very very anal about papers. But she definitely knows her stuff. Lots of reading and you MUST do them in order to pass. Some people says she's nasty but she never was with me. Just demand respect and you'll get respect, thats all.

Too bad the students commenting here are lazy idiots. Prof. Sproul is by FAR one of the best professors I have encountered at Hunter. She is incredibly intelligent and engaging, and for anyone with half a brain, you walk away learning more than boring facts -- you learn about life. IF YOU ARE SMART, TAKE HER CLASS. W/ GRADES, SHE'LL TAKE CARE OF U!

Agree with user below. Prof. Sproul is unfairly rated here by students who are disgruntled about not getting an easy A. Prof. Sproul is so considerate and helpful, particularly for students with grad school ambitions. She can help you get into classes that were full by the time you registered and introduce you to other profs who can help you. A+!!!

This is the best teacher I've ever had and has been the most influential person in my life, both professionally and personally. She has opened doors for me, taught me which end is up politically, never met anyone like her before or since. Try it: be around someone special. It's a challenge, demands best of yourself. Have you no focus? Stay away.

Professor Sproul is absolutely fair. Her tests come from her lectures, as does the content for papers. She's absolutely willing to meet with students to help them. If you go to class, take notes, and then use those notes you will do well. The papers don't use independent thought because their purpose is to make sure you understand the lectures.

Prof. Sproul is BRILLIANT. Her lectures in New Testament were organized, thought provoking and clear. There are four papers and two exams, all based on the lectures and reading. She is an EXCELLENT teacher and willing to help students. This class is a great learning experience.

She's very entertaining. I'm not a religion major or into religion at all, I just took it for a writing credit and I have to say it could have been worse. shes a very hard grader. but she's very willing to help and very funny.

BRILLIANT professor. I took several classes with her and wish I could take more. Challenging, life-changing experiences. I am mystified by some other comments here: Thinking for yourself is good, IF you can articulate (1) the ideas/positions discussed in the class & (2) your reasons for thinking something different. Just disagreeing is not enough.

I've actually been not really listening in class much so I am forced to think for myself. True most people have to always says what she has told us, but I guess if you explain every single little detail of your argument she'll let it pass with a B. She has been very helpful with out of class problems though :)

took faith & disbelief & i loved it! an excellent professor & a cool lady. extremely helpful & very interested in her students even beyond the classroom. tough grader but her system works. Make sure to cover what she talks about in class in your papers, thats how you get good grades. Lectures are well thought out and interesting. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The class isn't easy. And yes, she allows very little room for individual thoughts, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take it. She's very intelligent and you'll most likely agree and be blown away by some of the things she says. Shes a tough grader and pretty much wants you to elaborate on HER ideas in the papers. Class is totally worth it though

Barbara is a fantastic professor. She made me want to be a Religion major when I hadn't intended to be one. Her classes are very deep- and you learn a lot about culture and yourself- not easy to do together. I took everything I could with her.

Professor Sproul is a fantastic professor. I'm not sure why she is looked at as being a difficult professor, as long as you pay attention in class you will be fine. She provides ample room to rewrite any papers you received a low grade on, and she spends several lessons discussing every topic. One of the best teachers I've ever had.

TAKE HER! Her class is extremely well run and organized. To be in her presence is a luxury. She is one of the best professors at Hunter: hilarious, engaging, and relates everything that may be hard to understand to every day life in a humorous way. Yes, she makes you work hard, but her papers are incredibly rewarding. She taught me how to think.

Professor Sproul is fantastic. She finds many ways to clarify difficult concepts and challenges you to figure it out yourself. She is a tough grader but you definitely see progress from your initial paper to your last and how far you've come and how much you now know. I'm definitely taking another course with her!

I took Religious Sources For Morality with her.Overall I liked the class and Sproul is very funny, down to earth. you wont be bored in her class. The readings are hard but she explains everything so you wont have trouble writing the 5 papers she assigned. No EXAMS btw. I got an A-. Take this class if you dont mind heavy readings and WORKING hard!

Wonderful and brilliant professor. If you are open to exploring new ways of thinking and love a challenge, take this course. She may seem like a tough grader, but ALWAYS gives ample time and great feedback for re-writes. One of the best professors at Hunter hands down.

AMAZING PROFESSOR! I seriously worked my butt off for the grade, she was not an easy grader! Allows rewrites. Spends half the class talking about something that seems totally irrelevant and ends up brilliantly connecting it to the reading during the second half of class. If she sees you doing better throughout the term, you will get a good grade.

Professor Sproul is a very funny person who will do her best to keep your attention. She is sweet and extremely approachable and friendly. Her grading is very tough if you try to make something up; if you write a paper for this class, make sure you take lots of notes and use those notes to write your paper. The semester is a lot easier that way...

BEST PROFESSOR I've have ever had in my four years of college! She is funny, very knowledgeable in every topic of life, and is also very approachable. Don't get me wrong, her class is hard, so you have to take a lot of notes, but concepts are easy to grasp after a few sessions. I highly recommend her!

Taking Prof. Sproul's class was the best decision I have made academically. She makes very hard concepts in religion accessible by connecting them to real life examples. You will learn a lot by simply listening to her lecure, taking notes, and conceptualizing the things she says in class. The book she wrote on primal myths is amazing!

One of the best classes I have taken at Hunter. Makes the topic of religion very applicable and interesting. Is great at explaining hard concepts. Yes, she is hard, but this class is completely worth it. You can rewrite each paper and can go to her office hours to talk about your paper before you rewrite it. Fair grader and great readings.

Professor Sproul is surprisingly very effective teacher. She is effective because at the end of the course you become a decent writer if not great. However, she demands good deal of hard work in your paper. There is always chance to redeem your paper. I managed to get A- despite starting from C+ in the first paper. But condition you must work hard

When I first took this Asian Religions course, I did not know that it would change the way I look at the world. Professor Sproul's lectures were very thought provoking and fascinating. Yes, she is a tough grader when it comes to writing but if you just refer to your notes for the writing assignments, you will get a higher grade :)

Learning from Professor Sproul has been life-changing. She's truly brilliant and the depth of her teaching is unparalleled. Her classes are challenging and profoundly worthwhile. If you're interested in thinking deeply about life's bigger questions, take her class. I've taken 4 and am forever grateful.

You will be reading and writing a lot, but it will be worth it. Professor Sproul is warm, funny, and inspirationalshe really cares about her students and is invested in them understanding complicated (yet simple!) material. Class discussions among the best I've had at Hunter, and her transition to virtual was the smoothest of any of my profs.

Sproul is the most amazing professor I ever had. She is Hilarious, cares about the students, and extremely wise. She's flexible with the timing you turn your papers in BUT, YOU MUST understand the core believes/ideas well which is challenging. You aren't writing about your interpretation, but what devotes had believed and practiced over the years.

Professor Sproul is the most profound, caring professor I have ever had. She has been a mentor for many years. Prof. Sproul teaches one how to read, think and write clearly and eloquently. Take her class to expand. She founded Hunters Program in Religion & Harvard sends its recruiter each fall. In 2017, five students won acceptance to Harvard.

Honestly an amazing professor. She actually cares about students and wants them to understand the material, not just memorize random ideas. She made really difficult concepts so much easier to grasp and she is just direct- definitely not rude, like some others have said. This class was a great experience and was uplifting during times like these.

I love her so much. It's pretty difficult BUT you can tell that she really cares for her students. When I started falling behind, she constantly checked up on me and reminded me of what I needed to do so I can keep up. She gave me a second chance to retake this class to overwrite this INC grade! Her class is so fun and wholesome <3!

She is a great professor and wants her students to understand the material. I learned a lot from this class. The class is difficult because there is a lot of reading. If you like studying religion then this is the perfect class for you. Another thing is that she makes you buy six books and I do not mind because I was going to keep those books.

go to class bc she breaks the readings down so theyre understandable!! her grading/comments had me baffled a few times, but she allows revisions. lots of papers, so be prepared to do work. being a good writer isn't enough; you also have to understand the basic tenets of each religion so i would not recc this class unless you're really interested