Get ready to think! You will enjoy the ride with Dr. Cook. While I didn't see eye to eye with him, I did enjoy the class. You will too!

He knows his information well, but he tends to require students to see his way unless you can back it up with evidence. In class he will say offensive things to get a reaction out of students and can be quite mean from time to time.

EXCELLENT TEACHER. Take this class, it will change how think about others..

GREAT TEACHER AND OUTSTANDING HUMAN BEING. Prepare for challenging introspection and candid discussion about philosophy, history, and religion. Professes his own world view and challenges students to find, express, and defend their's. TAKE HIS CLASS!!

I liked him. He challenged students to look at religions (most importantly their own) in a new light. When turning in papers he allows you to do so as many times as you need till you understand the material. I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot.

Demanding and intelligent professor. Class was not easy, but required a great deal of critical thinking and an open mind. One of the best courses I've taken - it's refreshing to see a teacher so commited and passionate about their work. He has a great **** detector so you have to work for your A

You learn soooo much in this class, but he is a majorly arrogant jerk. You CANNOT disagree with him, and he gets mad if you point out contradictions in his lecture. Lots of reading, and the tests are hard. Paper due weekly.

Don't come expecting to be offered sugar coated ideas, don't come with iron clad views. Cook offers a wealth of knowledge, that is not only based on his own opinion, but on history, culture, and other critical issues. He does not "bad mouth" any religion or figure, he offers insight that is not based on views watered down by religious taboos.

Dr. Cook is weird; however, I found him to be passionate about his instruction and seriously lacking about the opinion of others. He is very tough on your assignments and allows little room for expression. He is committed to what he does. If you are a Christian, DO NOT allow him to divert you from your beliefs, remember, this is only a class!

The most influential professor I have had. He is a very unique thinker, and will challenge you to investigate your unreflective beliefs. I was happy to be in a class where the instructor engages the material, rather than merely presenting the material.

if you aren't willing to think, you probably will not like his classes. you may feel like he's out to get you so that he may eat you, but that's not the case at all. he'll question your opinions and beliefs if you leave room for it. some may say he has a temper, but i think he's just enthusiastic. great instructor, really.

I must say Dr. Cook by far was one of the most interesting professors I ever had. Although his approach is unorthodox, he reamins true to the subject matter. I would highly recommend this class to anyone.

Wow, what a plethora of opinions. The thing about Cook is that yes, he is opinionated--yes, he is very argumentative--but he's trying to prove that if you have an opinion worth sharing, you better be prepared to back it up with solid reasoning. He makes you think and he WILL grade according to B.S. and quality thought processes. Give him a chance.

Great class! Challenging but very interesting! Great teacher, knows his stuff! Don't get behind because its all down hill from there. Offers TONS of extra credit so theres no reason not to get an A. I loved his unique view points but if your looking to debate/ express your views this is not the class for you!

i'm not surprised that he's not the most popular teacher. religious people will not like him. period. if you don't put any effort into defending your arguments with facts from the reading, prepare to be shut down. but i like jim. not hard to get an a - show up, talk a little, rewrite yr papers according to his notes. bank.

I had read the bible and I thought that it would change my perspective of life. unfortunately in interpreting the bible things were changed to suit man. I was left feeling that I was in sin, and had a taste of glory. Professor Cooke's class had rocked my world to its very foundations. I am forever indebted to him for showing me the way.

It has been years since I have participated in one of his lectures and tho this day I still reference back to them. He is arrogant (it come from confidence in his teaching from his studies)... He does make you think... Anyone with a brain and the ability to grow should take this lecture....

class started with 30 people, ending with 10-12.mr.cook has long winded lectures and the people who attend regularly get the As.he teaches based of his own research and education but he isnt always right.about half way thru you might realize how intelligent he is when he instructs you how to read the bible.dont be afraid to jump in the discussion

The best class that all of OCC has to offer. Jim has a masters and PHD from the Ivy?s. If you want to be challenged to step out of contemporary awareness take this class. If you want to ease your way out of OCC avoid. The reading is absurd and the papers are even harder to actualize, but Jim gives myriad extra credit opportunities to ace easily.

Dr. Cook is an amazing teacher with a different point of view about theology. If you want a better view of different religions, take this class. If you have a closed mind, you will be offended by him. He is brilliant and a great teacher but you have to allow your self to go outside your comfort zone of what you know. Highly recommended.

i hated this class! but i got more out of it than any class i have ever taken

I LOVED this professor!!He challenges you and makes you look at things from a diff perspective. There is a lot of hw and he is a harsh grader, if you are lazy. He tells you exactly what he expects and makes it impossible to not get an A, if you pay attention. I had a 4.0 before even doing my final or term paper... It's college, theres hw kids!

There were days when I felt very frustrated by Cooks style of teaching but overall I benefited and enjoyed having him as a teacher. This class is definately not an ego boast but it if you are open to it, Jim Cooks style of teaching will teach you to critically think and prepare you for the "real world". All joking aside, this class changed my life.

Jim Cook knows his stuff and is passionate about it.An open mind is required if you want to take this class.

Don't let his small stature fool you--inside the tiny imp-like creature is a tiger ready to pounce on the many misconceptions about religion. He knows his stuff and truly is passionate. Sadly, he's rather close-minded about almost everything. Still, if you are willing to tolerate his brash attitude, it's taking his class for the information.

You can read all those bad reviews. But honestly, they are just from students who aren't opened minded. This man made me want to become a Benedicted Monk, and changed my way of life, he made me a Catholic. Sure the class is hard, but if you don't want to work, don't go to college. He is also my favorite professor, and a very good man.

Any discussion of religion is bound to ignite a lot of controversy.I disagreed with Jims interpretation of the bible many times, but he definetly offers a new and interesting perspective to my biblical reading. Christian fundamentalists who believe the bible is the literal word of God beware. Everyone else will take away a new approach 2 the bible

I loved this class. So many misconceptions about other religions were clarified and I was fascinated. Cook is knowledgeable and passionate, and yes sometimes a little preachy, but I've found that most teachers are. They listen to themselves talk all day, after all. Anyway, great class. Lots of work, but some flexibility to assignments which helped.