Learner Reviews & Feedback for Luther and the West by Northwestern University

I was puzzled by the course at first: the 4-minute lectures, one question quizzes, and initial focus on Nazi use of Luther's antisemitism. But I soon caught the drift of the course's peripateticism: the various historical and doctrinal issues, links to Spinoza, Kant and King, the terrific Luther readings (now I see why the nuns in grammar school warned us against reading anything by Martin Luther) and the many excellent encyclopedia entries (skimmed)--all put Luther and the Reformation in historical and contemporary context. Good job. The 3 paragraph essay was also an excellent teaching device. You asked, 'Do you understand Luther's concept of freedom?' and I had to admit I was befuddled. So the essay and grading others' was spot on. Thanks. Bob Huberty (I met you at the CUNY conference. I was with David Lott, formerly of Fortress Press.)

very packed course....full of very dense information in the reading....the reading load is very heavy, especially for the first two weeks......it's more like two months...... but the assignment is very moderate.....just one....

Fun and interesting course. I was exposed to info all new to me. Thanks.

I loved this class. I learned a lot, became a better person, and have cited it a couple times in other classes.

The course is not only amazing, but also interesting, because of the matters it treats and the things it brings along.

This course is well organized and thought-provoking, with very short lectures (around 4 min. or so) and lots of supporting materials, much of them Luther's own writings! Dr. Helmer's analysis of Martin Luther in his own time and cultural context would be reason enough to take her course. What follows, from Melanchthon to Kant to Martin Luther King, Jr. and beyond brings the echoes of the hammer blows to the Wittenberg door into sharp focus as they resound today. Anyone who lives in the " Western World" should take this course as a foundation for considering religion, race relations, civil rights, political realities or philosophical constructs active today.

Very interesting class. Very well presented. Enjoyed it and got good information.

Quick, useful overview, even if you've read about this time in history before. The peer-graded writing assignment also helped me articulate what I learned from this course. Highly recommended for anyone, especially those living in the Western world.

This is a well-planned course that I learned a whole lot from. I was curious about Luther and church history to begin with, and this course satisfied that curiosity.

This is an excellent course. Not only it is a very clear and complete introduction to Luther and his times, but also includes a couple of units on the reception of his thought, both in I. Kant and M. Luther King. I thoroughly enjoyed Professor Helmer's lessons and learnt a lot from them.

Very good and well-presented introduction to the works of Luther and to his impact.

Christine Helmer's classes opened me a whole new, rich and very useful world of Martin Luther. Great course. Thank you!

I really enjoyed the course, and think it is very well thought out and paced. I appreciate the access to additional reading materials.

An excellent course!

I think this was a very interesting and informative course, although the lessons could have been a little bit longer! I do recommend this course strongly

With looking up the different topics on YouTube, I found this class a great overview and basics. Very straight forward basic class touching the basics.

Se le da demasiado crédito a Lutero, quien si en algo sobresalió fue en su arrogancia, orgullo y terquedad. ¿Que en la Iglesia Católica había excesos? Sí, igual que los había en el tiempo de San Francisco de Asís, pero el Pobrecillo reforzó la unidad cristiana. Lutero en cambio provocó un cisma, contrariando así el deseo de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo de que todos seamos uno.

This course was not overly interesting, it felt more like listening to someone wanting to paint everything with a socialist brush. I had better things to do. This has not been a class where I learned much. Its structure of super short videos (~4mins) with easy "tests" was neither challenging nor useful to confirm the value of the content, in fact a number of tests quiz you on material not yet covered (usually in the next unit). Not the best class there is.