Students gain familiarity with the key elements of the graduate school application process, apply to selected graduate schools, engage in collaborative reading and writing, and prepare research for presentation at academic and professional meetings.
2
UnitsPass no pass
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegePrepare for a LOT of reading. She is a tough grader and will have you cite sources on the midterm and final. I worked very hard in this class and only got a B. I knew plenty of people who failed. One thing that was good-- the midterms and final written answers she usually picks a topic we know well and discuss a lot in class.
2 discussion posts, a midterm, and a final. A lot of reading and the midterm and final together make up 80% of your grade. A good grade is far from impossible in this class is you put in the effort.
Interesting and informative lectures, work throughout the quarter can be very time consuming. It's not a class for those looking for an easy A. She doesn't take attendance and it's easy to slip out of class but a lot of the info in lecture+ readings is what will be on the exam. She randomly selects 3 essay prompts out of 6 for the exams.
Overall she is a pretty average professor. Her lectures are a bit disorganized and she doesn't give a clear outline of everything you need to know. You can just do all the readings and not go to lecture; it really just depends on your TA so try and tell if they are a easy grader (most are) but if you get Marina Chavez, take it pass/ no pass.