The subject matter of this course is really interesting. We started by broadly discussing idolatry as a concept, then read more narrowly-focused pieces, mostly from monotheistic, Abrahamic traditions. The structure of the class is solely in-class discussion of readings (~50 pgs per class, but based on our discussions, I'm guessing approximately 5 people in the class actually kept up with them...) and writing a final paper (15 pages, but it can be on absolutely anything related to idolatry). Professor Biemann usually started our class discussions with a brief overview of one of the readings and then we'd go from there, often down a few rabbit holes that were mostly(?) related to the topic at hand, but it was always an interesting conversation. I was a little discouraged by the lack of engagement from the class as a whole, though. You can definitely scrape by that way, but if you have the time/energy to invest in doing the readings, it makes the class more interesting and fun for everyone. Overall a nice one and not too difficult.

I did nothing in this class except present one reading and write a final paper. Since I literally never spoke during class, I got a B+. Probably super easy to get an A if you put forth minimal effort.