Ronald Vroon
Department of Slavic
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3.9
Overall Rating
Based on 20 Users
Easiness 1.8 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Clarity 4.0 / 5 How clear the class is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Workload 1.8 / 5 How much workload the class is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Helpfulness 4.2 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

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GRADE DISTRIBUTIONS
14.1%
11.8%
9.4%
7.1%
4.7%
2.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

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Reviews (12)

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Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 17, 2011

Overall:
I had Prof Vroon for Slavic 40 (Christianities East and West--covers Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant branches of Christianity). He's a great professor who is truly knowledgeable about the subject matter and concerned about his students. He answers all questions thoroughly and presents the information in an objective manner.

If you're considering taking Slavic 40, Make sure you have some interest in the subject matter. Although Prof Vroon is great, if you're just taking this class for the GE requirement and his reviews on bruinwalk you might find the readings to be tedious! Also try not to take this course at the same time as another history/reading intensive class.

What to expect (as of Fall 2011)
-1 Midterm (20% of final grade)
-Final exam (35% of final grade)
-Papers, at least 1500 words each (30% of final grade)
-Participation (15% of final grade)
-3 Field Visit reports (you have to visit 3 church services: Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant)
-Readings from 3 textbooks (Orthodox/Catholic/Protestant church history and doctrine)
-Online readings (Biblical excerpts, catechisms, creeds)

To get a good grade:
-Attend all lectures! Prof Vroon covers a lot of info. I would suggest bringing a laptop so you can type more of the information he discusses (sometimes he can go rather quickly)
-Go to office hours. Prof Vroon is very helpful in his and this is especially useful when he begins covering the more confusing theological concepts. Also go to your TA's if you have questions about how the papers are being graded.
-Do the readings. Although you can get by with skimming/not doing all of them, it will be harder to participate in discussion if you haven't read (and participation counts for your grade)

To sum up, I would highly recommend Prof Vroon and Slavic 40 as long as you have genuine interest in the course material. There is a lot of reading and memorization but once again this will not be annoying as long as you want to learn more about the three main branches of Christianity. You can pull an A as long as you put sufficient effort into this course!

Helpful?

2 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2024
Grade: A
Verified Reviewer This user is a verified UCLA student/alum.
Aug. 20, 2024

This class was much much harder than expected. Luckily the research papers help boost your grade if you struggle with the final, because there's a LOT of memorization needed. The lectures can be really dull and dry even if you're interested in the material. It's a lot more of the ancient history of the religion rather than dissecting traditions, cultures, beliefs of the different Slavic branches. The field trips probably educate you more than that on the class. Wouldn't recommend if you don't like history.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2022
Grade: B+
COVID-19 This review was submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your experience may vary.
June 2, 2023

This class is so hard and confusing. I hated it.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: N/A
March 2, 2017

He is a great professor but the class does require a lot of reading. Sometimes his lectures are long and boring but other times they are really interesting. I think I'm not going to do as good as I could have for this class because I wasn't really interested in the material. I was thinking that it might have been an easy GE but it is hard when you are taking other classes that require lots of reading as well. If you think you can tolerate lots of reading, take his class! :) He is very understanding and helpful.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Jan. 17, 2013

I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed Prof. Vroon's class. I simply took it for a GE and while there was quite a bit of reading at times, the topic was more interesting than I thought it would be. He was very excited about the topic and that made it much more engaging.

He speaks clearly and loudly, so vocally he is easy to understand, and he takes questions in stride in case you don't understand the topic.

The essays are a hassle but those really depend on your TA; mine was effective at MCing the discussions but very relaxed when it came to due dates & discussion homework.

The midterm and final leave you drained, but it's curved as everyone seems to feel that way.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 8, 2011

Vroon is well-spoken, kind, and clever - overall, a truly outstanding professor.
This class, however, is not outstanding.
It's certainly not an "Easy" GE; there is SO much reading, three field visits that require write-ups, two 1500 word essays, and a Midterm and a Final that will make you want to cry. He gives out historical tables for the midterm and key terms for the final, but they really didn't help. What you should do to prepare for them is actually just to Wikipedia every (and I do mean every) single concept, person, fact you learn in the class and try to memorize as much as you can. Then just regurgitate for the exams. For the papers, be sure you speak with your TA about what an "A" paper will look like so you can make sure you're on the right track.
If you do decide to take this class, do it Pass/No Pass, especially if you have other classes to focus on. Otherwise it's just going to haunt you all quarter.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 6, 2011

For this course, Christianities of the East and West, Professor Vroon attempted to cover an extreme amount of information regarding the history and theology of Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Even though I knew alot going into the class, this was NOT an easy GE. A ton of reading, lecture three times a week with frantic scribbling the whole time, and a discussion that never really expanded on ideas in class.

Would I take this again?
Maybe, but you should definitely prepare yourself for a TON of reading and work to even get a B.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Oct. 24, 2011

Lectures: Wonderful. Informative. Effectively delivered.

Midterm: FML. FML. FML.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 16, 2011

Slavic 40: Great class great professor. There wasn't that much reading. Classes are never boring. I got an A- without any stress.

Definitely take slavic 40 if you need a GE.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 2, 2010

I took slavic 40: Christianities East and West. Being very knowledgeable on the subject, I thought it would be an easy GE. NOT SO. There is a crapload of reading, some of which I did, but you really have to study for this class to get an A.
On the other side, Vroon is a good lecturer, and does a good job at being unbiased, although sometimes it seems quite obvious that he really likes the Orthodox point of view. The class is actually a lot more in depth than I thought it would be. I was surprised that this was offered at a secular university like UCLA, but am very glad that it was, as it is very crucial to our understanding of history.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 17, 2011

Overall:
I had Prof Vroon for Slavic 40 (Christianities East and West--covers Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant branches of Christianity). He's a great professor who is truly knowledgeable about the subject matter and concerned about his students. He answers all questions thoroughly and presents the information in an objective manner.

If you're considering taking Slavic 40, Make sure you have some interest in the subject matter. Although Prof Vroon is great, if you're just taking this class for the GE requirement and his reviews on bruinwalk you might find the readings to be tedious! Also try not to take this course at the same time as another history/reading intensive class.

What to expect (as of Fall 2011)
-1 Midterm (20% of final grade)
-Final exam (35% of final grade)
-Papers, at least 1500 words each (30% of final grade)
-Participation (15% of final grade)
-3 Field Visit reports (you have to visit 3 church services: Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant)
-Readings from 3 textbooks (Orthodox/Catholic/Protestant church history and doctrine)
-Online readings (Biblical excerpts, catechisms, creeds)

To get a good grade:
-Attend all lectures! Prof Vroon covers a lot of info. I would suggest bringing a laptop so you can type more of the information he discusses (sometimes he can go rather quickly)
-Go to office hours. Prof Vroon is very helpful in his and this is especially useful when he begins covering the more confusing theological concepts. Also go to your TA's if you have questions about how the papers are being graded.
-Do the readings. Although you can get by with skimming/not doing all of them, it will be harder to participate in discussion if you haven't read (and participation counts for your grade)

To sum up, I would highly recommend Prof Vroon and Slavic 40 as long as you have genuine interest in the course material. There is a lot of reading and memorization but once again this will not be annoying as long as you want to learn more about the three main branches of Christianity. You can pull an A as long as you put sufficient effort into this course!

Helpful?

2 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Verified Reviewer This user is a verified UCLA student/alum.
Quarter: Winter 2024
Grade: A
Aug. 20, 2024

This class was much much harder than expected. Luckily the research papers help boost your grade if you struggle with the final, because there's a LOT of memorization needed. The lectures can be really dull and dry even if you're interested in the material. It's a lot more of the ancient history of the religion rather than dissecting traditions, cultures, beliefs of the different Slavic branches. The field trips probably educate you more than that on the class. Wouldn't recommend if you don't like history.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
COVID-19 This review was submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your experience may vary.
Quarter: Winter 2022
Grade: B+
June 2, 2023

This class is so hard and confusing. I hated it.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: N/A
March 2, 2017

He is a great professor but the class does require a lot of reading. Sometimes his lectures are long and boring but other times they are really interesting. I think I'm not going to do as good as I could have for this class because I wasn't really interested in the material. I was thinking that it might have been an easy GE but it is hard when you are taking other classes that require lots of reading as well. If you think you can tolerate lots of reading, take his class! :) He is very understanding and helpful.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Jan. 17, 2013

I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed Prof. Vroon's class. I simply took it for a GE and while there was quite a bit of reading at times, the topic was more interesting than I thought it would be. He was very excited about the topic and that made it much more engaging.

He speaks clearly and loudly, so vocally he is easy to understand, and he takes questions in stride in case you don't understand the topic.

The essays are a hassle but those really depend on your TA; mine was effective at MCing the discussions but very relaxed when it came to due dates & discussion homework.

The midterm and final leave you drained, but it's curved as everyone seems to feel that way.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 8, 2011

Vroon is well-spoken, kind, and clever - overall, a truly outstanding professor.
This class, however, is not outstanding.
It's certainly not an "Easy" GE; there is SO much reading, three field visits that require write-ups, two 1500 word essays, and a Midterm and a Final that will make you want to cry. He gives out historical tables for the midterm and key terms for the final, but they really didn't help. What you should do to prepare for them is actually just to Wikipedia every (and I do mean every) single concept, person, fact you learn in the class and try to memorize as much as you can. Then just regurgitate for the exams. For the papers, be sure you speak with your TA about what an "A" paper will look like so you can make sure you're on the right track.
If you do decide to take this class, do it Pass/No Pass, especially if you have other classes to focus on. Otherwise it's just going to haunt you all quarter.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 6, 2011

For this course, Christianities of the East and West, Professor Vroon attempted to cover an extreme amount of information regarding the history and theology of Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Even though I knew alot going into the class, this was NOT an easy GE. A ton of reading, lecture three times a week with frantic scribbling the whole time, and a discussion that never really expanded on ideas in class.

Would I take this again?
Maybe, but you should definitely prepare yourself for a TON of reading and work to even get a B.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Oct. 24, 2011

Lectures: Wonderful. Informative. Effectively delivered.

Midterm: FML. FML. FML.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 16, 2011

Slavic 40: Great class great professor. There wasn't that much reading. Classes are never boring. I got an A- without any stress.

Definitely take slavic 40 if you need a GE.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 2, 2010

I took slavic 40: Christianities East and West. Being very knowledgeable on the subject, I thought it would be an easy GE. NOT SO. There is a crapload of reading, some of which I did, but you really have to study for this class to get an A.
On the other side, Vroon is a good lecturer, and does a good job at being unbiased, although sometimes it seems quite obvious that he really likes the Orthodox point of view. The class is actually a lot more in depth than I thought it would be. I was surprised that this was offered at a secular university like UCLA, but am very glad that it was, as it is very crucial to our understanding of history.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
1 of 2
3.9
Overall Rating
Based on 20 Users
Easiness 1.8 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Clarity 4.0 / 5 How clear the class is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Workload 1.8 / 5 How much workload the class is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Helpfulness 4.2 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

TOP TAGS

There are no relevant tags for this professor yet.

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