Loved his lectures--he had an honestly clever and always funny way of presenting the course--but he is an insane marker. Doesn't matter how well you know the facts and history, if you can't cite paragraph xyz from the text book on an exam, then you lose. So, it's your choice.

I had Bergen for prof when he taught 273 - a very hard class! But he was very helpful, and he even created a tutorial class for us because we were struggling. Great to talk to, and tries to get to know his students. Don't expect to coast! Yeah, his formatting is weird! Talk to him about your papers - he'll go through it page by page with you.

bergen's a great guy. he's passionate, enthusiastic, and has a great sense of humor. he's a relatively new prof. his marking is a bit crazy, but if you go and talk to him about it, he's very reasonable. this guy can dish it out, but he can take it just as well. but yeah he needs to find the right balance of course content & his own ideas.

oh man i totally agree: he totally DOES look like viggo mortensen!! this course was okay. he's a pretty cool guy, but the marking is a bit crazy, you know, but whatever, i learned a lot.

Dr. Bergen is well read, defends himself eloquently and is able to help you to look at religions from an outsider's view, even if you are deeply an insider. He is one of my favourite profs and this is only the second one I have taken from him.

Bergen is my favorite prof at the UofC. He isn't always organized but he does teach you the materal. His marking is very difficult, but he is extremely helpful. He improved my essay skills because of his high expectations and helpfulness. Talk to him outside of class, it helps a lot. He questions all and is very honest.

he is not afraid to treat religious studies as exactly that-an academic study. this is not sunday school so don't get offended. if you want the fluffy religious stuff go to your own religious institution. you need to walk in with an open mind. expect to learn. that's university.

Bergen is a great teacher. He knows his material and places it firmly in a academic setting. His background gives the class a interesting edge, and he candid about his personal opinions. Bergen is a hard but fair marker, you have to work if you expect a good grade in his class. However if your not willing to address religion critically his classes

This is my third time visiting this page, as I have in the past debated taking one of his courses. I can understand the criticism, as Dr. Bergen is not orthodox. However, his class has been positively challenging, and the most cerebral course I've ever taken. It's true that, at times, he's just winging it, but he and the course were brilliant

I have yet to meet a prof who challenges students to think critically as much or as creatively as D.A. Bergen. He is one hell of a prof!

Dr.Bergen is a great professor. He truly is an academic of Religious Studies. His classes are very enticing, I've learned more from Dr. Bergen than I have in any of my other religious studies classes. If you're in university because you want to learn and be challenged then this is the class for you. Absolutly great professor.

He is somewhat critical but he has important points to make. He makes you really think! He also doesn't force you to believe what he tells you. It's theory and ideas-- not necessarily truth. Be open to going past your own religious beliefs and thinking critically. A both challenging and great professor. Really!

He is a fantastic teacher. His intention is to open your mind though he does base his instruction on facts which may offend people of whichever faith he's disecting. He is also weloming to any student who would like to discuss the topic, or how to raise their grades.

I really like Dr. Bergen, in spite of what some people say. He's knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and super funny! He deals with touchy topics at times, but I think he handles them well and directly. Going to class is necessary to pass RELS 273, and you will have to work; but you should expect to work in university. I would definitely recommend him. :D

He is an intimidating figure, but I got the sense he was genuinely intelligent. Of all my profs in the last 4 years, he had the biggest influence on me. I never got the sense he was anti-religious, only that he's into challenging religious orthodoxy. Exam and assignment grading is fair, but comments will deflate your ego. Looks like Viggo+J.Cameron

I thought that Dr. Bergen was incredibly helpful as well as insightful. He made clear links from class and reading material, while also grading fairly. He's a hard grader and definitely into challenging religion within the parameters of an academic environment. Be prepared to tackle some challenging and touchy topics. SUCH A GREAT CLASS!

Great prof for 3rd and 4th year students but expects too much form first year students. Grades very hard. This Class is more difficult than my organic chemistry class. He articulates his points very well and makes you think.

Dr Bergen is a brilliant man. He was educated in an era when learning and thought were imperative. Unfortunately in today's world, grades and money run the world... So if you want to LEARN, look no further. If you want an easy, take home grade, look elsewhere. Perhaps you should ask yourself what you are looking for; marks or an education...

Very intelligent, and opened my mind to a new way of thinking. Always enjoyed going to class. I thought it would be an easy class since I had an A+ in the other 2 RELS courses that I have taken, but I worked my ass off to get a B in this class. It's a class that is worth taking if marks don't matter to you as much as learning.

He probably thinks too much but I loved his lectures and loved going to class. Definitely a challenging class, not just in his grading but he challenges you, your thoughts and beliefs. I loved it! Not an easy class, you definitely will have to work, and take notes!

Mr Bergen is an amazing professor. It sucks that, from what I've heard, he won't be teaching next year. He is definitely a professor for people who would like to learn. Slackers, GPA booster: STAY AWAY. I love going to his lecture. It is a lot of hard work to get a good mark in his class because he does not make it easy. AMAZING!

Every prof, especially in Rels, has a bias, and his comes from the standpoint of evolutionary biology. Not my favorite way of approaching Rels, but he's a sweet guy and I respect him. Seriously just go to class and listen and take notes and there is no reason not to do well in his class. People only complain cus non-majors take rels for an easy A

I don't know what everyone on this forum is complaining about. Dr. Bergen has fairly difficult tests but if you work hard and you are intelligent then you will do well. I think that he is very fair in marking and very helpful and friendly in and out of class. It's likely that the rest of the people on this forum expected an easy A

He is very abstract and tough. If you enjoy deep philosophical discussion then take his classes. Not a GPA booster, his tests and marking are tough, but if you make the effort, he's fair.

Bergen's class is by far the best class I have taken in three and a half years at the U of C. Insightful, passionate and extremely intelligent, you will be challenged, and expected to come up with intelligent answers and debate. It's probably the toughest class I've taken, but also the most intellectually satisfying. Great professor.

David made it his personal goal to offend as many religious people as possible. If you want an honest, objective look at religious history, consider a different prof. That being said, as long as you went to his class consistently, the tests were decently easy.

Although by no means does Bergen teach an easy class, it's extremely interesting and engaging. I disagree about him being offensive, he just is very quick to point out that you're not thinking academically, which is fair. I loved his class, and think he's very intelligent and passionate about his field.

This was THE greatest class of my degree. I have taken a number of classes with Dr. Bergen and he has inspired me to be a far better student than I imagined I could be. His classes aren't easy, but education shouldn't be! That's why you forget everything from those "easy A" classes. Be present in mind and body, and Dr. Bergen will invest in you.

this course was a journey! Its really complicated, but i think he is one of the best and most honest profs out there. Even though he is a tough marker, you come out of his class with a new perspective at how you look at this world.

I recently graduated with a BA and came back to U of C as an open studies student to take a few special interest courses while working. Dr. Bergen is exactly what first year students need to wake them up to the reality of what is expected at the post secondary level. I would have killed for a reality check that early on in my degree. Firm but fair.

Wonderful professor. Perhaps the best professor I've had as an undergrad student. He makes you think critically so that you can understand the topic at hand. I had to work my ass off to get a B in that class, but it was completely worth it because I learnt so much from him. First year students should take a class with him, truly an eye-opener.

Easily one of the best professors I've had in my four years of study. The man is simply brilliant. I don't know what others are on about saying how he's a terrible prof. He is a bit hard to follow, but he makes you think critically and that's what professors should be doing. Received an A- in the course, but I really had to work for it. Worth it.

Bergen is a very serious, entertaining, and amazing prof — who will mark you realistically.

Dr. Bergen has a reputation for being difficult but only by those students who are expecting to have things handed to them and who believe they have the capacity to manipulate their profs. Dr. Bergen is by far one of the most interesting, intellectually active individuals I have ever met and is a pleasure to learn from.

Great professor. He is very passionate about the subject, and he doesn't mess around. This in mind, his courses are not easy. But if you're up for a bit of a challenge and some really interesting, thoughtful discussion, I would seriously recommend taking one of his classes. He's a no bull crap kind of guy, and stands by his rules, but a great prof.

BEST prof I have had in 3 years. You must take initiative to learn in this class - actively engage and take in whatever you can. Dr. Bergen literally changed the way I view the world and while he is a tough marker - it's because he is realistic and if you put in the work and really grasp what he teaches you, you will get the good mark you deserve.

Bergen is tough, but that's the point. If you're looking for something different from your everyday lecture, take this class. The subject is heavy, but if you show up, do the readings, and give some effort, you'll do well, and you'll learn a lot. You get to explore self-expression in a new way, which is awesome. This class is worth it. Recommended.

Bergen wants you outside the box and will challenge you to challenge yourself, he hates passive dribble that any monkey could extrapolate from the texts. He may be intimidating, but he wants you to participate and learn!

I love, love, love Bergen. He is amazing. He truly is a brilliant, inspirational, intelligent man. I absolutely loved attending his lectures, and I was crushed when I had to miss one. His lectures are so thought provoking, you won't be able to stop thinking about what he has to say. He is so poetic when he speaks, so it makes it easy to listen.

Bergen is the first prof I have had that genuinely cares about the education experience for his students. He teaches a little old-fashioned, but it he is so brilliant that you can't help but like him. Very high expectations in terms of writing level and reading comprehension, but also very willing to help and elaborate on complex religious content.

Bergen teaches unconventionally, but authentically. He's very passionate about the material, and it shows. He draws from a wide variety of texts, but is very specific in his approach. His lectures are engaging, and highlight perspectives on society I can't say I would have gained otherwise. I've never had a prof who cares more than him.

Tough grader but he challenges you. His lectures are fluid and inspirational to listen to. Lots of reading, and re-reading but the material is fascinating.

Dr. Bergen expects you to do readings and understand what you are talking about. This class is not easy, but it is worth it. Dr. Bergen was so interesting to listen to and made me actually want to work and come to class. I wish that I could take every class with him.

The class is difficult, you have to show up to class ready to take notes & keep up with the readings to do well, & he isn't the greatest at feedback. However, this was the best class I've ever taken, and the best prof. You can tell he really cares about what he lectures and that he cares about his students as well. It was an unforgettable class :)

Bergen is by far the best prof I've ever had. He's brilliant and often goes on tangents, his lectures can be very dense, and the material is challenging. But if you put in the effort, you'll come out of it with a better understanding of the world and yourself. All I can say is, please take this class, it is SO worthwhile.