Teaching Evaluations
Teaching observations
Observer: Professor Ruth Langer (Spring 2014): Jan. 28, 2014
Student feedback
The sources from which the course drew were varied and engaging, allowing the students to develop their own perspectives on the course's major themes. As both an introductory and comparative theology course, Religious Quest succeeded by exposing the students to materials that engaged the courses major themes and questions from many perspectives. Professor Maxey responds to her students' ideas with thoughtful questions and comments that promote further insight and deeper understanding. Seriously, I thought the course was wonderful and I'm genuinely eager for next semester.
Maxey’s assignments prompted students to push themselves outside of the Boston College bubble and into the city in order to expose students to different faiths, particularly with the Jewish Temple and the Roman Catholic Church group visit. The specific structure of the course established by Maxey is founded on the basis that reading a book or listening to a lecture is not simply enough. The syllabus dedicates time for self-reflection in the form of daily write up assignments to encourage students to think critically about the material and its implications. This reflection is significant as Maxey takes a great interest in understanding the makeup of a student’s broader identity, and this is apparent through her comments and questions directly written on each reflection. Maxey’s positive attitude and love for the particular topic is evident in every class, as well as her concern for students as she makes herself available after class to answer questions and concerns.
Coming into this class, I was quite skeptical and really thought I would breeze through it because its a core class requirement. But the teacher really got me interested into the subject matter and I learned a lot about Jewish and Christian religions and also about my own religion. It really helped me discover and define more of my personal religious identity.