Reviews of professor Geoffrey Barstow

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
There's a lot of reading and a lot of homework but it's not particularly difficult work by any means. Barstow can be a tough grader here and there but overall, it's not too bad and as long as you show you care and put in your best effort, you can achieve an A grade.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
It's a discussion based class but he respects you if you don't feel like talking. There's readings to do every class and pop quizzes that are so insanely easy if you took the time to do it. He's funny and genuinely cares for his students. I'm not overly religious but it was cool to listen to his perspective on things since he has lots of experience

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
This class was one of my favorite classes ever. Dr. Barstow is amazing. There's a lot of reading and a lot of writing but all the reading assignments are so interesting, I never even felt like I was doing homework. The writing assignments are challenging and thought provoking. It's obvious that Dr. Barstow puts a lot of effort into his classes. SK

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Dr. Geoff Barstow is not an easy grader, because he is a serious scholar. If You are looking for an easy credit, don't take his class. But if you are serious about your academic pursuits, and are interested in Buddhist or Chinese philosophy and religion, Dr. Barstow is the guy you want to work with.

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
He is a funny and nice guy, but there is so much reading in this class. Five books throughout the term + readings on perusall every night before the fallowing class and discussion posts. The classes are always discussing the readings for two hours, not lectures. You have to write 3 essays during finals week, no tests just essays in the course.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
He knows so much about Buddhism and other cultures that it was a pleasure to listen to him lecture. He sometimes springs a 1-2 short question quiz about the reading assigned the day before, so watch out. Definitely would take another class with him.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
This guy will not take it easy on you. His classes cover difficult material and require real thought. He grades pretty tough, and there is plenty of work to do. Knowing that the topics are difficult and actually caring about students' education, he will help, he will go back over things, he will work with you, if you only ask. One of the good ones.