Comments:GTX 2301 - Made an account just for this rating. SJ is an overqualified well of knowledge, the most understanding professor I've had, and not to be corny but she makes learning fun. I've retained the most from her classes because of how manageable her workload is compared to other Great Texts classes, but we still went so in-depth about what we read, and the insight she gives is top notch. She has so much life experience in so many different fields of study that the learning goes way past Great Texts itself. Take an SJ class; it is a class that expects a lot from you while still giving a light amount of actual work out of class (it's still a Great Texts class so there is some reading) and one where I have stored the most long-term knowledge. Plus she's super nice, fun, and genuinely cares deeply about the success and growth of her students.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2302 - Dr. Murray is the reason I made a BU books account to drop this rating. She is the best professor I\'ve had in undergrad thus far and I\'m a Bio major. I took her in Fall of 2024 and she did something unique that semester compared to other sections by almost halving our reading workload. Assigned reading was super doable meaning for the first time in a literature I actually read everything we were supposed to. We had super in depth conversations in class (probably because everyone was able to read the books) and she offers such valuable connection in and outside of the class. If you want a mentor and an enjoyable class with not a crazy amount of work, take SJM bro.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2301 - If you are looking for a brilliant professor and want to dive deep into the texts, this is the professor for you. If you are looking for a reasonable workload, look elsewhere. You will learn how to write a paper the way she prefers or your grade will suffer tremendously. You should also be prepared to make a 150-page PowerPoint. Dr. Murray is, as many of these ratings attest, one of the most intelligent people you will ever meet but she is not very accommodating of differences of belief. She specifically insists on reading every text through the lens of Christianity. She assumes that all her students are Christian and insists on reading these texts the same way one would read a Bible. I'm not a cringy atheist, but I'm fairly certain that Homer was not referencing Christ in the Odyssey no matter how likely it was that he knew a Jewish man. She also tends to go on religious tirades which may be uncomfortable if you come from a different faith background.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2301 - At the beginning of the semester, I was super excited to be in Dr. Murray's class. She's super enthusiastic and highly educated, but she got more and more frustrating as the class went on. Even though the readings were less intense than the other great texts classes, she was unclear about what she wanted from us and was super condescending when we didn't understand something about the reading or the class. She was preachy and constantly reminded us that she was smarter, wiser, more qualified, etc. than anyone else. The worst part was the final project. It was incredibly long and the instructions were unclear. I had no idea what I was doing and ended up dedicating over 36 hours to it just to have the guidelines changed last minute and get the same grade as people who did it completely wrong. If you want to continue to take great texts, I think her class is a good place to start, but if you just need the credit, do not take her!!!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2302 - Not sure that she deserves such low ratings from students below. Sure, this class is definitely not an easy A class. You do need to put effort into the work. I took this in 2020 during Covid and I asked her if I could take the course asynchronously even though the class was listed as synchronous. She was very understanding and allowed me to take it asynchronously, so I was the only student taking it on my own time. The class is difficult not because she is a bad professor. You're reading Dante's Divine Comedy so what can you expect? The important thing about Dr. Murray is that she CARES about the students and their growth, not just their grades. Her lectures may seem a little off tangent but she definitely tries her best to help us learn things from each book rather than just memorizing what happens throughout. There were a lot of tedious discussions. The exams were 5 question essays which does take a lot of time to complete. The final exam was an oral exam as well where we were asked to memorize a huge list of quotes and explain their significance when asked, but it was honestly not that bad. She does have high expectations of you, but I'm an international student and I absolutely hate Great Text classes or reading in general yet I still ended with an A. The texts were difficult - like very difficult - but you do end up learning a lot from them. I also am not sure what people below mean that she is very self-righteous. She is for sure a super qualified professors who has won several awards, but I did not feel that she was bragging at all. She was a wonderful professor who was very much willing to help me through the class and also very understanding of my situation.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2301 - Dr. Murray is a ridiculously good professor. She got me to thoroughly enjoy ancient texts and apply their teachings to my life (which I did not expect at all). I took her online (shoutout to COVID-19) and so we had a discussion post before each class that would cover whatever readings we had. They were doable, sometimes time-consuming, but she wants you to have a profound understanding of what you are reading and to be able to tie it back to previous readings. You have 3 exams which are essentially discussion posts and aren't overly hard, and then two papers that you get feedback on from her TAs before submitting and then after submission as well. She is super kind and gives you grace if you're ill or going through a hard time. Honestly, if you participate and actually try in her class, you'll do well. I found this class easier because I love reading, but with her walking you through how to read the texts and discussing them, it becomes easier over time (even for those who aren't fond of reading).  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX 2321 - Dr. Murray is incredibly qualified, and she constantly feels the need to remind you how qualified she is. She is arrogant and refuses to admit that she made a mistake when she does. Her essay grading is incredibly strict and she punishes varying from the literal fill in the blank script to essay writing she gave us. She is short tempered, arrogant and incredibly preachy about her own virtue. All of this gets in the way of her ability to actually impart the large amount of information she knows.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX Leadership - Crazy and Bipolar. Don't take her  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX 2302 - Dr. SJ Murray is certainly an overqualified professor, yet indubitably one of the best you will ever take. With a double-major from Auburn and two masters degrees and a PhD. from Princeton, SJ knows her stuff, and you can learn so much from her. All of her lectures are fascinating, and she will likely captivate you with her speeches - she regularly does TedTalks and is more than interested herself in what she teaches. She is extremely interesting herself, by the way; she brings her dog, Coco Chanel, to class with her, she has an IMDb account (and has been Emmy-nominated as a screenwriter), is currently getting her pilot's license to commute from Austin to Waco. One thing is clear from day 1 - she WILL get you to like the texts you'll read, and at the very least, attempt to fascinate you with their meaning and philosophy. Some have criticized her for not allowing you to think for yourself and instead forcing her personal opinions onto the class, but those people are mostly English majors. Take Dr. Murray.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 2301 - I've never been so happy to get a B+ in my life. Dr. Murray is by FAR the best professor I have ever had. She has been such an inspiration in my life, and she's changed the way I look at books forever. This has been the most rewarding class I have ever taken, and while extremely stressful at times, I would not hesitate to take it over again. She's so intelligent, smart, and humorous. I loved every second of this class, and I would recommend her to anyone. The class is difficult, but it's completely worth it.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:2301 - Oh Dr. Murray...definitely a likable and personable teacher. She takes her subject seriously, the books seriously, and her students seriously. She got me thinking in directions I wasn't accustomed to, and I'm glad I took her class. However, be prepared to get little if any feedback on your assignments. Reflections once a week and worksheets once a week--no clue of your progress. She's good about getting essays back though. Talking in class is important because it will probably determine your grade--partly in terms of what you say and partly in terms of how well she likes you and what impression you give her.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 2301 H - Dr. Murray is probably one of the most intelligent and well-spoken professors I've ever encountered. She is definitely worth taking. Workload isn't bad except for some reading assignments which are quite lengthy. She grades essays pretty harshly so be prepared to revise over and over. And try to meet with her before the essay is due. It will definitely help you refocus your topic. Also, her 'prompts' for the essays are really vague. Exam is very difficult but in the end you will get more out of the course than you would've thought possible.   - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2301 - She is definitely worth taking. Highly recommended. The workload is a little rough, but not too bad. She does not have much respect for your opinions, though, especially if they conflict with hers. In the end, the way you think will be changed.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 2301 - I absolutely loved Professor Murray's class! I feel like I learned more in that class than I have in any other, mostly because a lot of what you learn relates to life. It's not just memorizing; it's applying the lessons of the books to your own life. There is a lot of reading and writing for this class. I would say I spent 4 or 5 hours preparing for each class period. I know some of my friends thought I was crazy and even laughed at the fact that they barely had to put any effort into their Great Texts class and still got the same grade as me. If this is you, and you would rather put in very little work and get a good grade instead of learning something, this is not the class for you. For those who enjoy learning, this is the class for you! I would definitely take her again!  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:2301 Honors - Dr. Murray requires a lot out of her students. Expect at least 50 pages to read for each class period. There is also a ton of writing. There are 2-3 page reflections and a worksheet which are due once a week. I probably spent about 5-6 hours a week preparing for her class. There are also two papers due for the semester, and she grades them ferociously. But it was worth it! Dr. Murray is unbelievably intelligent and she knows her stuff. Every time I leave class and have learned so much. It is crazy. There are great texts Profs who may be easier, but it is worth sticking out her class. Since she requires so much writing, your skill level increases a lot. This is probably the best prof I had so far at Baylor and I definitely recommend her to anyone.   - Grade In Class:A

Comments:FYS 1399 - Dr. Murray is an extraordinarily difficult professor. However, she is also one of the smartest people on the Baylor campus. Take her for a class. If you do not, you're missing out on a fantastic educational opportunity. Also, unlike some professors, she actually cares about the big picture and how the texts you are studying relate back to God and the Christian life. My FYS with her was about Atlantis. It was my favorite class of the semester and still my favorite class so far. The workload is intense, but you will learn more from this class than all of your others combined.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX 2302 - Excellent Professor. She expects a lot--or she actually makes you begin to expect a lot of yourself. Ask around. (Or read this site.) You won't do well in her course if you're not prepared to work. But you'll get a lot out of the course. Best of all, Dr. Murray goes above and beyond the call of duty to meet with you. This fall, she moved on to campus and held a lot of meetings by appointment in her home office over tea. If you're prepared to put in the work, you'll get a lot out of this class. If you're not, well, you'll end up being one of the few people who complain on this site. I learned more in one term than I thought I ever could. And I learned a lot not only about books, but also about life. Take her course. It's worth the sweat. Oh--and she's up front about work. If you meet her before you begin the class, she's likely to say something along the lines of "if you're not prepared to work hard, you should drop my course now." So you can't accuse her of not tellin you the truth up front. I loved this course! She is an exceptional teacher, exceptionally knowledgeable, and she manages to make medieval great texts the most exciting thing since the new ipods came out. Take one of her courses!  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 4v99 - OK. So I was on that study abroad trip in Oxford. I don't believe Dr. Murray cares about you having fun. In fact, provided you didn't (a) sleep through class, (b) avoid doing your reading, or (c) complain that you didn't have enough time to go to the pub and actually got your work done before 3am and did good work, she would encourage you to have all the fun you wanted. Fact is, Dr. Murray will not tolerate goofing off in her class. And she won't tolerate you not bothering to put anything in to your education. So no, you shouldn't take her class if you're planning on slacking. In fact, you should run a mile. If, however, you want to learn and care to have your mind stretched, read a lot of good books, and actually be pushed to do well, I recommend her course. I took 4v99 (Arthurian) in Oxford. Because we were over in Europe for a short time, she actually gave us the option of rewriting one of our essays in order to increase our grade in the course. You also had the option of writing an essay instead of sitting the in-class final. If that's not trying to help students get the most out of the abroad experience... But you won't get a grade for no work. And you'll certainly suffer if you don't show up for class. Participation is key to succeeding in her course. Brilliant prof. Demanding, fair, but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments: - There are many, many sides to Dr. Murray and unfortunately things seem to be headed towards the negative. Very difficult to get a hold of (unless of course your issue is of extreme personal importance to her). She is a passionate woman who has devoted her entire life to her work, but unfortunately I didn't have one of those 'life changing Murray experience'. I was very disappointed. Never take her for a study-abroad course - you will work your butt off, and she will make you feel awful if you even think about enjoying yourself.   - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 2302 - OK. So this will be the hardest class you will take at Baylor (unless you take Dr. SJM again, which I plan to!!!). It will also be the best learning experience you will ever have. I mean, we all came to class every day and before SJM arrived, we were already sitting around discussing the readings because she had us so interested in it. In my other classes, everyone talks about their weekend. In this one, we'd come in and be, like, "hey, what did you think about when Dante..." It was crazy. The exam is super-hard, but really worthwhile. You'll learn more than you ever hoped, and you'll want to come back for more... whatever your major is. (Beware, after this class, you'll seriously be considering a Gtx Major or Minor though.) Anyway, Dr. SJM is an incredible teacher. She doesn't lecture, but guides us through the discussion. And we often broke into small groups to do analysis, too. Most days, I was really surprised the class was over: it went by so quickly. Dr. SJM's class changed my life. I can't wait to take another course from her.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 2302 - Dr. Murray is FANTASTIC! You'll work hard, but as everyone says on this site, you will LEARN. Don't graduate from Baylor without taking one of her classes. She's the most inspiring professor I have ever had. If you're worried about papers, she will coach you through the writing process too, which is really useful. I'd never thought so much about how to write a paper and revise it until this course. Take Dr. Murray!  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 3320 - This class was crazy demanding--but I learned more in it than in all of my other courses at Baylor combined. In hindsight, the workload is not unreasonable: by writing for each class meeting, my writing improved dramatically. I also came away with a good understanding of the materials. The best thing about the course is that SJM doesn't stop at discussing the themes and topics of each book (in fact she doesn't discuss much, she somehow makes us discuss): for everything we read, we had to think about what it meant, within the history of thought, and also for our own lives. Take ANY class you can with her; it's worth the time commitment.   - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 3320/ GTX 2302 - Talk about learning to see things in a new light! A course with Dr. Murray is like a crash-course on living. All of this from medieval literature. I have never had a professor who stretched my mind so much. There is a lot of work, which is also probably why I learned so much. Her in-class discussions are amazing. There's very little lecture over the semester, but lots of little short 5-minute lectures interspersed into a real "class conversation" with the students. I had no interest in the subject before I took one of these courses. And I probably will not become a specialist in medieval literature. But if you're in college to learn and to have a fabulous, mind-blowing experience, then a course with Dr. Murray is a MUST.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 2320-U1 and 3320 - I'm not gonna lie: it's intense. But the first class I had with her challenged me more than any class I've ever had before. I had to work my butt off, but I got so much out of her class. She makes you think, hard. She won't settle for anything less than your best. Definitely don't take her if you're not ready to invest time into her class. She also is the most helpful teacher I've ever had outside of class. She loves spending time with students. The only hard part is finding a time to meet with her, because so many students enjoy talking with her. Her passion for her subject is contagious. I had no interest whatsoever in Medieval literature before, but I'm already going for a second round, just because she has pushed my mind like no one I've ever known. She fosters creativity and helps you look at everything in new light. The hardest part about 2320-U1 is staying up with the reading and journals, but the daily exercise is good practice. And you don't have to be brilliant, just willing to work.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX - Dr. Murray's courses are everything you hear: challenging, demanding, and they may just turn out to be your best experience at Baylor. With the time she devotes to her students, it's amazing this woman gets anything else done. But she does. And she involves her most successful students in her research too when she has a chance. I vote we mob Common Grounds and demand that her "single expresso with a little dollup (sp.?) of steamed milk, for here, in an expresso cup" (no to go cups, please!) be put on the board as the "Dr. SJM." Heck, we should all just start ordering an "SJM" when we go there. For the course, work regularly and do the reading (she picks interesting books). And sign up for a readings course with her if you get the chance (you might convince her to take on 3-5 students as well as her regular courses). Go SJM!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX2302-U1 - Prof. Murray is amazingly knowledgeable about the medieval material and expects a lot out of you in this class. But hey--it's a university scholars class, after all. The course only meets twice a week, so it makes sense that she, Drs. Foley and Henry assigned a sizeable amount of homework for each class meeting. I'm pre-med, so this is not going to be part of my professional training. But I did learn a lot from this course. It stretched my mind well beyond my expectations. I wanted to be challenged to think about things in new ways by joining the UNSC, and I have certainly had the opportunity to do just that. She was also good at calling the shots when they needed to be in class. (She won't let someone sleep in the back of the room, even if it's not her day to lecture, but one of the co-teachers, and she will be sure to intervene if she thinks you're not focusing on the work.) She's also available to meet with you on a regular basis to discuss homework, papers, etc. so you won't feel lost if you go to ask for help. This class is not for slackers. I worked regularly and made a B+. It was a fair grade; I think my writing could still improve a good bit. The daily assignments were helpful in that respect. The best asset of the course: the teacher. She's fair, intelligent, knowledgeable, and eager for you to learn. I've only been at Baylor for one year, but she's the best professor I've had to date here, and throughout High School.   - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX 2302-U1 - She's incredibly smart, and very excited about the material. Which is good news for classics majors, but if you're taking this class becuase it's required it means pure hell. Workload was absolutely ridiculous, worst i've ever had. There was a large reading assignment for each class, and on top of that some incredibly difficult online journal questions. These oj's were basically like a mini-essay for each class, requiring quotes, citiations, and insightful comments. These were graded pretty harshly, and NOT according to the criteria in the syllabus, which called for 250 words. To actually satisfy her, about 1000 words is the minimum. Tests were all essay and quote ID, and were longer than promised. She also has a tendency to threaten people in her class, she told us that for every FIVE seconds that no one made a comment on the text, she would add a question to our next test. She also liked to tell people how much smarter and more studious her honors students are, but they're JUNIORS, and we were freshmen. Overall, I don't mind profs that challenge you, but she uses mortal fear for your gpa to make you participate. DON"T TAKE HER IF YOU AREN"T A CLASSICS MAJOR, SHE MADE MY ENTIRE SEMESTER INTO A SLICE OF HELL.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:GTX - Dr. Murray is the best teacher I have every taken! Yes, she is VERY demanding. But you really come to understand that is because she respects her student's potential. Don't want to sit in a course where students are allowed to slack off and learn nothing? Then take Dr. Murray. If you put in the work, she does too. She will stop at nothing to help you, by going over papers, meeting outside of class, and encouraging you. A truly wonderful lady. But you'll have to earn a grade in this course, it won't be given to you. If you slack off or joke around in class, or don't pay attention, I imagine she would bite your head off. Quite frankly, that is refreshing. She makes me want to be a better student and take advantage of my education.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:GTX - Dr. Murray has no mercy. She will eat your soul!! She expects a lot, and if you show any sign of weakness (i.e. humanity) she will tear you down into tiny little pieces and crush your bloody remains.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:GTX 2302 - This class is a LOT of work. Yet at the same time, it is HIGHLY enjoyable. (By the end of the class, you realize that the heavy workload and assignments are part of what makes the class so darn good. (I never thought I would say it, let alone write that. She's gotten to me too, it seems.) Tests are thorough and you'll probably write multiple pages of preparation for each class meeting. But don't be put off. It's worth it. Dr. Murray's expertise is AMAZING, but she's also completely approachable. She will make you want to be a better student, and she will make you realize why you came to school in the first place. She will not tolerate slacking in her class, so don't go there. But if you're prepared to do the work, and you really want to learn, this is a must-take course. From what I hear, any of her courses are must-takes. Oh-and be prepared to "walk and chew gum at the same time". They're not kidding when they say she'll make you want to change your major. P.S. Dr. Murray, if you read this, would you please sign up to teach some engineering majors courses in addition to Great Texts?   - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX2302 - Professor Murray is the wonderful professor that everyone on here has said she is. There is a lot of reading, but she chooses books that are fun to read for the most part. Even though there was a lot of work, the class was so good that it didn't really feel like work. Prior to this class I knew practically nothing about medieval literature. After this class I'm just like, what can I read from the Middle Ages today?? It is definitely the best class I've ever had. The material is fun, the professor is fun, and you will definitely get a lot out of it if you put the effort she wants you to put into it.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2302 - Great prof, probably the best one I've ever had! Be sure to read everyone else's feviews as it's true what they're saying (i.e. no reading quizzes)! She certainly expects alot from each of her students but she also has learned from great experience just how far her classes are capable of being pushed and knows when to reel them back in. There was a great deal of outside writing and reading but I have never enjoyed such insight in Medieval literature!  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:2301/2302 - I took Sarah Jane for both GTX 2301 and 2302 and have never learned so much in any other class I have taken. I was dreading starting the honors great texts sequence about a year ago and am now trying to figure out how to fit more of them in my schedule because this teacher was so inspiring. Her class is by no means easy but is very doable. She does expect you to be well prepared but you'll thank her for it later; I learned so much from our class discussions. My writing improved tremendously with all the help she gave me and I now feel prepared to take any class with a heavy load of reading or writing. Take Dr. Murray, she's fantastic, cares about her students, and has such a passion for the material she teaches!!!!!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX2301H - Prof. Murray is by far the most outstanding teacher I have ever worked with. Granted, in order to do well and most importantly LEARN SOMETHING, you have to put in a considerable amount of effort. What is unusual about Prof Murray, however, is that she puts in an even greater amount than we do. On availability and helpfulness she deserves a bazillion. She is almost always in her office. If not, you can always e-mail her. She will help you with anything.... from revising your paper 27 times to what to major in (especially if she thinks you should be a great texts major) to personal problems. You can even get her to give you free food if the situation is right.... Lots of students love Prof Murray and for good reason. The daily reading and study questions can be a lot of work that makes you stressed out at times, but I've never learned so much and even more importantly ENJOYED learning so much in my life. Take Murray for anything if you can; you won't regret it.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:Intermediate French - If your taking Dr. Murray for french be advised she has high expectations for her students but YOU WILL LEARN FRENCH! She is an amazing professor both inside and outside the classroom. She works very hard at making sure everyone understands the material, but she expects her students to work hard in return. I definately recommend this class to anyone who is willing to learn. Dr. Murray is one of the best professors I've had at Baylor.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:GTX 2301 - This was a great class. Lots of work, but lots of learning. I hated literature in high school, but Dr. Murray manages to make you want to learn. There was a (2-3 page) reader's response for each book we read, two major papers and two exams (midterm and final). But we were super-well prepared for all of the assignments, and Dr. Murray will meet with you as many times as you like. There are no reading quizzes, but beware: you'll have to know your stuff if you come to Dr. Murray's class. This is the best class and best learning experience I've had at Baylor. Honors/ Great Texts Students: you MUST take a course with her. It's a fantastic experience.   - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2301 - Professor Murray is an absolutely phenomenal teacher who I would recommend to anyone. I have heard other GTX teachers give impossible reading quizzes and are boring but with Dr. Murray, this is not the case at all. Class is all participation centered around student discussion. I never thought I would actually be looking forward to going to an ancient literature class. Her passion for the ancient world is contagious and I find myself learning more than I ever thought I would. There is no such thing as an "easy" great texts section to take but if you want an incredibly rewarding experience, take Dr. Murray!!!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:GTX 2302 - I cannot describe how much I loved this class and this professor. This class makes you actually enjoy great texts! The workload is fairly tough, but you will not regret one instant of it. There are two big papers, two big tests, a presentation and three readers responses. The amount of reading per night is totally managable, especially when compared to GTX 2301. Sarah Jane is awesome! She's incredibly helpful and she cares about every student and is willing to help you with anything. We would all sometimes stay after class is over just joking around! If you ever have the opportunity to take her for anything, take her!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:2302 - She is by far the best professor I have had a Baylor. She makes great text fun (imagine that). I actually look forward to going to the class everyday. She is sooo helpful- she will revise your papers and meets with you before presentations. She does NOT give reading quizes (woohoo). There are only 2 tests and 2 papers. She is brilliant- sooo intelligent and insightful. She is also very personable and funny. I loved the class- take her!  - Grade In Class:A