He used to be a professional story teller and makes class def worth while! Uses music and story telling to teach interestingly.

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This is an excellent class and professor as long as you go in with an open mind. Some of the things he says makes some people defensive but as long as you realize that he’s not attacking your faith, its fine. This class will really make you think.

Yeah he's an easy teacher, no problem getting an A.

his class was fun and it was the easiest "A" i've ever gotten

This guy has got to be the best Religions teacher ever.

I'm not sure why the previous reviewer felt that his was one of the most poorly run internet classes. It was awesome compared to the other class that I took. Very Easy yet informative.

To that poster who didn't like his internet class "the best part of his class is being there getting wrapped up in the conversation that u don't notice its time to go." Makes it easy to get good grades. One of those select people who seems genuinely jazzed about their job.

I am not sure this class is still available, but if you are comfortable with not ever knowing where the class is headed. This class could easly become an "A" GPA booster. there is the catch. If you are uptight and feel like you don't want your faith callenged then don't go to thisclass you will drop

There is a cliche that follows Tom, "You will never go into his class and come out the same person", come into his class with an open mind, and prepare to be enlightened. He will stretch and challenge the very thoughts that one takes for granted. He is by far the greatest scholar of this age.

Shoemaker has to be one of the best professors I have ever encountered. He is funny, intelligent, and open minded. He was more than helpful and understanding all semester, and I will take any class he offers. His class is truly a treat, there are always interesting discussions and he will listen to anything you have to say. Take his class.

Tom is an engaging genius, stunningly knowledgeable, wonderfully funny. A great teacher:)

Great teacher and a great class.

he makes religion fun!! He used to be a storyteller. He makes you want to attend each class!

I don't know about Tom's internet classes, but after taking his "live" class I wouldn't recommend an internet class with him. You will get a lot more out of going & interacting with him. I think some people might think he was unfair or unclear because they originally thought WR was going to be a "skate" class, but that's not really how it was. You have to do the work to get the grade. It was really easy stuff though - all came down to time mgmt & common sense!

Mr Shoemaker kicks ass he knows what he is talkin about and you understand what he is talkin about hes a cool guy it has ben fun being in his class

He was a professional story teller for 6 years! that just says it all. He has amazing class lectures and raises a lot of questions. i can't say that i agree with EVERYTHING he says, but he is very informative and an awesome, funny guy! I am definitely looking foreward to taking another one of his classes in the spring!

Tom makes you think - he stretches your ideas and takes you to places where you see things (life, religion, people) with new perspective - also with new curiosity and humility. He's amazingly informed.

Ineresting Class, Interesting Teacher, Interesting points of veiw... but good.

I took the internet version of the course and having taken a couple other internet courses, this was my favorite by far. He lays the class out clearly and you do get the chance to interact with him and other classmates just as you would in the classroom. He is helpful and he makes it interesting. I recomend taking it live or online.

Tom is an interesting teacher & a great resource. He really is able to get your mind going and get you thinking. I would really love to take more classes that are offered by Tom Shoemaker.

I have been attending MCC for an embarrassingly long time and have therefore studied under a great many of the professors there. That established, I am telling you with soberest sincerity that Tom Shoemaker is THE best professor I have ever had. He has an obvious passion for the material and real gift for bringing it exuberantly to life.

The class was easy enough, and he's a super nice guy, but he's very opinionated and I feel he sometimes forgets that his opinion is an opinion. Very disorganized, but he was teaching 21 credit hours so that may not be the norm. All the work was at home, and I felt the classroom discussions were for the most part very irrelevant and a waste of time.

I think Tom Shoemaker is an excellent teacher. Yes he has a strong opinion, as this is his passion, it should be expected. I think that people have a problem with him because they are too narrow minded to understand what he's saying. Either that or they don't like it. His topics are important and his discussions logical. I would recommend him.

Shoemaker teaches his passion with his vast knowledge and life experiences. You have to go in with an open mind. His lecturing may seem like ramblings of a ‘self centered retard’ but he starts thought provoking class discussions. I highly recommend him for the open minded looking to gain knowledge and get new ideas to stretch their imagination.

Tom's class is interesting - I feel as though I have grown quite a bit after attending his class. The topics we have discussed have been, without a doubt, incredibly moving. The topics are presented to make you think... and perhaps dissect the world around you. Tom's class is very worthwhile - You will learn a lot.

i really enjoy this class and the teacher is great. the daily discussions are always interesting and i like that we are able and encouraged to question everything. being able to look at issues from different angles can really help open your eyes to new things. coming from his world religion class i have now decided to take his intro to Christianity

You people do realize this is a Community College right? Have fun and be open minded. He is one of the most interesting people I know and it shows in his lectures. World Rel. isn't the best class to experience this but If you want an easy class and something so much more than just spewing rehearsed lectures, then take Religion in the Modern World.

amazing teacher ! i dont know about the rest of u guys but he was great.. we had a webct class going on at the same time and he was extremely helpful.. hes a really sweet guy and very passionate about his beliefs

Alright first off everyone is different and people are going to get offend because religion is such a touchy topic. but if you can get past the feeling and open your ears just listen, Tom Shoemaker does not preach one religion and does not bash on the other. There's times in which I was mad but I got over it . Over all his class was awesome.

I loved this class! if you are not open minded and not willing to look at religion in a different light, then dont take this class. Tom is one of the best prof i have had, he's interesting and not boring. This class was worth taking and I am so glad I did. I have already recommended this to people.

Took the online class this summer, and it was a great experience. Prof Shoemaker wrote the downloadable textbook that we used, and it was outstanding. Clarified so many difficult concepts in various faiths, and I actually looked forward to reading it. Emphasis on discussion of various topics -have an open mind, and you will do well. Great class.

AWESOME

Class was very interesting and kept me engaged almost all of the time. I wish we had more than 2 weeks to cover each religion. If I needed another Humanities class I would definitely take it from him. Not a lot expected of you as a student. One assignment every two weeks and one quiz every two weeks plus two bigger assignments during the semester. If you do your work you get an A. I enjoyed the way he carries the class and the way he challenges everyone to think.

I took REL243 online over winter break. It was very easy but I still learned a ton! Some complain that he is not helpful or hard to understand but if you read through all the material and are not a complete idiot you will do great in this class. Whenever I did have a question I emailed him and was sent a reply very fast. No text book was needed!

For those who say he sucked, you must have gotten a bad grade and are pissed. I got an A in the class. Pay attention and COMMUNICATE with him and he appreciates it. He is VERY helpful; always helped me when and where needed.

Its amazing to me all the horrible reviews on here. Shoemaker has been Top 3 in the list of professors that I have loved taking a class from. He's going to challenge you, thats the point. Don't shut down and shut him out...you will learn nothing. Amazing class!

Mr. Shoemaker was a fantastic teacher who is passionate about what he teaches. I took his World Religions class and it was great! I totally recommend him! If you do the work, you will pass the class! Plus, he is willing to work with you!

I had him for intro to Christianity. As someone who is going into the theology field, i found this class extremely vital. The class is taught from a secular viewpoint, and although he did not change any of my views, he challenged them. Extremely brilliant man, really knows his stuff. He has a wonderful teaching philosophy, and no, he is not satan.

You're wasting your time if you don't take his class and you need a humanities credit. seriously, do it. You probably won't use your text book, and when you transfer out of state to study theology, you'll wish you had a professor who was as open minded as him.

LOVED IT!!! Took the class online and got 100%. He has everything laid out for you-you just have to do the work. Do not take if you don't have an open mind. You have to be able to take other people saying things about your beliefs. I learned a lot and will be taking a class from him again.

I enjoyed the class. His style of teaching is a bit unorthodox, but once you understand were he's going you get it. I would recommend this class to those with open minds and who enjoy story telling.

This class was not what anyone expected going in.In the beginning he tells you he wants to teach you how to have a conversation, and by the end of the class,you realize that that is exactly what he taught. Be open minded,involved,do your best, and you'll do fine. If your struggling, talk with Mr. Shoemaker-he listens!

Real interesting class, good instructor. The first few classes are a bit intimidating, but it gets much better as the semester progresses. He is flexible on the syllabus, and knows when he is in the wrong. I think he is actually passionate about his career and bettering the students he instructs. This is a great Literacy class choice.

Tom Shoemaker is one of those teachers that gets you extremely pumped to learn, and discuss new things. I highly suggest this class to anybody who need to get some their pre-recs out of the way. His classroom discussions are stimulating; a breath of fresh air. I wish every in the world was once half as awesome as the Shoemaker!

I personally loved him as a teacher. He jumped around a lot but I just think of him as not having a "normal teaching style" I suggest taking any of his classes. I think he's one of the few teachers that actually loves his job.

This class is an excellent way to start the morning. Im actually taking his class again for the hell of it. It is just really great and there is a lot to learn. By the way don't come into this class thinking you are going to have what it takes to convert him. It is not our place to in the class. It is a neutral ground, come with an open mind.

Awesome class! Such a great teacher. It's really hard not to pass his class with an A. He speaks about his life and how it involves all the different religions! I would recommend him to anybody!

Took him for World Religions, he's overall a good teacher. He's very good at in-class discussions and keeping lectures interesting. DO NOT PUT OFF HIS FINAL ASSIGNMENT!! this is really the only thing that will kill your grade.

If you actually read his syllabus, the quizzes and due dates are all laid out ahead of time. Really, anyone who complains may have just wanted a spoon-fed class. Welcome to college.

Everything is laid out in his online syllabus. If you bother to read what he posted, all the quizzes and due dates are listed. The only change he made was to make LESS work. Welcome to college.

Has a quite neutral view of all religions . Recommended .

Tom is honestly one of my favorite professors at MCC. Yes i will admit he isn't for everyone, if you don't feel comfortable with breaking down your religion and every other one, and if you like set in stone structure he is not the right teacher for you but if you want fun, energetic interactive and thoughtful learning. he's the perfect teacher

Tom Shoemaker was the best professor/teacher I ever had. Mr. Tom is so passionate about the subject that he made me passionate in it too. he will make you think, he lets you retake the tests unlimited times, the workload is little, mostly just in-class involved, intriguing conversations. this class changed my life, it is a must take with Tom!

I loved this class so much I decided to take another class with him. The first day of class he tells you "You will not be in this classroom for another 4-5 weeks. But I will see you" You then pick 5 different religious services to go to.... it was AWESOME! He has a sense of humor, and convinces you of each religion, but does not try to change you.

Enjoyed going to the dfferent worship services. this was a different experience from other online classes. the professor responded to my emails in a timely manner.

Professor Shoemaker is extremely professional. He does a wonderful job of explicitly stating what this course is all about, and then he gives you the tools you need in order to be successful.He responds extremely quickly to emails so if you do have an issue it is resolved fast and easy. I would definitely recommend this class. Best of luck!

This was one of the easiest A's. He gave different options to learn the information which was great for every learn style. His instructions are not always clear but he was quick to respond to my questions. Make sure to sign in on the "field trips", turn in papers as directed, the rest is typical.

I was required to take this class for my degree, I had no prior interest in it at all.My teacher did an awesome job to make it worth learning. He made it interesting with jokes and relating it to now-a-days lifestyle so kids can better understand. He worked with students on their grades, he was more interested in helping us learn the material.

Teacher was very helpful. He responded to almost all my email. He set expectations and assignment deadlines first day of class. If you do the work and ask for help you will pass this class.

Best professor for a religions class, understands all major religions pretty well

I took a winter intersession class over the holiday period (a full semester course crammed into 4 weeks). The class was pretty straightforward but there was definitely A LOT of reading. The grading criteria was made very clear from the beginning and as long as the work required was completed, it was pretty easy. He was quick at answering emails.

I really enjoyed this online class. The textbook manuscript was provided, and the book was great. When the multimedia version us done, it should be exceptional.

Lots of quizzes, but he gives you a chance to retake them several times. The class discussions were great when students joined in, not so great when people just watched him, even though he is pretty funny and really into religions.

I loved this class! It was all online but easy peasy! Do the reading, quizzes and assignments and BAM you have yourself an A

I love this class and this teacher. I learned so much about life in general from him. As long as you show up and stick to the syllabus you should be fine. He can be a bit all over but I think that's what I love about it.

i took him for an online class. there is home work once a week and he doesnt use canvas if you mistakenly forget to do one weekly quiz thats it for you an A is not possible. he made us go take pictures at temples and churches and keep in mind its an online so it was annoying. if you read the quizes are not hard. oh you have to buy his book too

We aren't even done with the semester and this teacher has made my first semester in college AMAZING. He is a really good professor. The discussions and topics are always so interesting. I love being able to see life differently by taking this class. I think all first year freshmans should be advised more of this class.

He's a cool guy.

I loved this class. Mr. shoemaker tells a lot of stories and is very passionate. Passionate in all things and he makes you open your mind and see things differently. He gives you tools, along the way of the semester, on how to be a better person. Hes super inspirational.

Easy if you choose to participate and fun. Don't leave your group high and dry-like some people :-(

The course was very interesting. It is almost like a game. He sends out the module and you have to go through and find all the points. The person who finds the most has the highest grade and everyone else's grades are based off of their number. It was fun at times but could become stressful quick if you do not find all the points.

Students who complained just want their grade given to them without the work. I will agree this class is not easy and there are a lot of "hidden points" that I even missed most of the time myself. His grading system is different so no matter your goals, do EVERYTHING you can assignment wise and you'll be fine. This class changed me for the better.

He is a great teacher who cares about making you succeed. He will form you into a better student. No free grades though, you earn exactly what you deserve. He gives you more than enough chances to earn an easy A with many extra points along the way. I easily over scored his class and landed an A. Thank you Professor Shoemaker

This class will be easy, and you will learn a lot and change your perspective of others around you. You just have to be curious, engage, and participate. One of my favorite classes yet. It pushes you out of you regular standard class norms, but in a needed way. Could not recommend Tom Shoemaker more!

Reading some of the reviews I was worried that I would have trouble with the online classes. There is nothing unusual or tricky in this class. Read directions people! Very easy, very, very interesting class. So happy not to have to do the annoying discussion boards that other classes require. My grade was dependent on me, not others.