American Religion

(Spring 2025) Professor Doran is extremely knowledgeable about the course material. He is very enthusiastic as well. Dr. Doran also tends to ramble. Overall, I highly reccomend the course. He assigns a lot of readings but you don't have to do much more than skim them. He also has a very easy attendance policy, but I am yet to skip his class. I tend to skip classes so that says something about Doran as a teacher.

(Spring 2025) Professor Doran is extremely knowledgeable about the course material. He is very enthusiastic as well. Dr. Doran also tends to ramble. Overall, I highly reccomend the course. He assigns a lot of readings but you don't have to do much more than skim them. He also has a very easy attendance policy, but I am yet to skip hi …Read more

This course is pretty reading heavy and has weekly reading buddy assignment to make sure you are doing it. In my opinion this is a real pain, I am fine with the readings, but the reading buddy assignment feels unnecessary and takes a long time (weekly). In this course there's a midterm, final, vocational assignment, and persuasive essay. In my opinion feels pretty writing heavy for a non CW class.

This course is pretty reading heavy and has weekly reading buddy assignment to make sure you are doing it. In my opinion this is a real pain, I am fine with the readings, but the reading buddy assignment feels unnecessary and takes a long time (weekly). In this course there's a midterm, final, vocational assignment, and persuasive es …Read more

I really liked this course, and much of it is due to the professor’s engaging teaching style and genuine passion for the material. From the very beginning, it was clear that he was deeply invested in the subject, and his enthusiasm made a huge difference in how I connected with the content. He presented complex ideas in an accessible and thought-provoking way, which kept me engaged throughout the entire course. His passion for teaching was evident in every lecture, and it made learning feel not just like a requirement, but like an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into the material. There is so much to learn, and I truly feel that I walked away with a richer understanding of the subject. The class was a little challenging, but in the best way possible, and I would definitely take it again. If you have the chance to learn from this professor, I highly recommend it!

I really liked this course, and much of it is due to the professor’s engaging teaching style and genuine passion for the material. From the very beginning, it was clear that he was deeply invested in the subject, and his enthusiasm made a huge difference in how I connected with the content. He presented complex ideas in an accessible …Read more

I think the professor is very enthusiastic and has a non convential approach to teaching but I actually really like that. He's a great grader and grades with logic. Overall I really loved the class and would recommend it to anyone.

(Fall 2022) Dr. Doran is hands down one of the best professors I have ever had. Every assignment is crafted in a way that is intended for you to learn something directly or acquire a skill. The readings can be a bit long compared to other humanities courses but are manageable and almost always super interesting. The lectures are spellbinding and make crazy connections that make you question the way you think about the world. There is a fair amount of work, with required weekly discussions with a partner about the reading, writing persuasive essays until you get an A, a major vocational project that you get to choose out of four choices, and a midterm and final exam. But these all contribute to your learning in a very positive way. Take a class with Dr. Doran, you won't regret it.

(Fall 2022) Dr. Doran is hands down one of the best professors I have ever had. Every assignment is crafted in a way that is intended for you to learn something directly or acquire a skill. The readings can be a bit long compared to other humanities courses but are manageable and almost always super interesting. The lectures are spel …Read more

Dr. Doran teaches the class like a history course, which I personally have really enjoyed. We focus on religious groups throughout history (and their impact on American Religion) rather than diving deeply into religious beliefs and philosophies. Some important things to know: the weekly readings can be pretty long/dense and there is a no technology policy in class (all notes have to be handwritten unless you have an exemption). That said, Dr. Doran is a very enthusiastic teacher and clearly loves to talk about the course content.

Dr. Doran teaches the class like a history course, which I personally have really enjoyed. We focus on religious groups throughout history (and their impact on American Religion) rather than diving deeply into religious beliefs and philosophies. Some important things to know: the weekly readings can be pretty long/dense and there is …Read more

Dr. Doran is a very understanding and enthusiastic professor. He explained once that he teaches his lectures like a story and that makes a lot of sense, the lectures are pretty engaging. Discussions are pretty well-structured too. He makes a point to talk about current events going on in the world often and tying it to the material or just our lives as students which I think made the class that much better. Theres a few papers throughout the course of the class but all pretty manageable and he's a very fair grader.

Dr. Doran is a very understanding and enthusiastic professor. He explained once that he teaches his lectures like a story and that makes a lot of sense, the lectures are pretty engaging. Discussions are pretty well-structured too. He makes a point to talk about current events going on in the world often and tying it to the material o …Read more

Dr. Doran does a great job teaching this class, especially in his lectures and discussions. He teaches this class with a broad, historical perspective that allows for a focus on individual religions in that process. The exams in this class are unique in their format, allowing students to defend their answers and earn credit. Dr. Doran also does a great job of uncovering myths and misinformation about religion in America. Overall, this course has exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend it to others.

Dr. Doran does a great job teaching this class, especially in his lectures and discussions. He teaches this class with a broad, historical perspective that allows for a focus on individual religions in that process. The exams in this class are unique in their format, allowing students to defend their answers and earn credit. Dr. Dora …Read more

Doran is a bit misorganized at times, which led to some frustration because he would take a very long time to grade anything. Also, sometimes the material was very interesting, but at other times class would drag on, and it was hard to focus because Doran tends to ramble a lot. The class was not difficult at all, and most people only have to write one paper. Honestly, exam days with the possibility to argue answers were my favorite days of the class.

Doran is a bit misorganized at times, which led to some frustration because he would take a very long time to grade anything. Also, sometimes the material was very interesting, but at other times class would drag on, and it was hard to focus because Doran tends to ramble a lot. The class was not difficult at all, and most people only …Read more