Introduces interdisciplinary approaches to analyzing societal interactions with the environment, and highlights political, economic and cultural processes that shape (and are shaped by) the environment. Topical coverage includes conservation, food, energy, climate, pollution and global industrial production. The class assignments emphasize critical evaluation of specific social-environmental problems and the ideas, policies and practices that people engage in addressing them.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeChen genuinely cares about his students learning and understanding the material, as long as you are actually reading and he sees you are trying. Don't let his ratings on Global 2 discourage you from taking his upper divs. 2 weekly discussion posts for the heavy readings and an essay and final project. Go to lecture. Read.
He is a caring professor who wants his students to do their best and is clearly an expert in his field of study. Highly recommend taking his class if you are interested in learning more about globalization in China. Keep in mind that there is a lot of reading but it is worth it as it provides a thorough view of China and its unique conditions.
His lectures were super dense and random. The homework consisted of super long readings that are super dense. The midterm is multiple choice, short answer, and long answer but the final was ONLY multiple choice. He was also literally editing the final while we were taking because he made so many mistakes when he was writing it.
This was one of the first classes I took at UCSB and I can say now in my spring quarter this was undoubtedly the worst experience I have had in my academic career. Jia-Ching Chen (JCC) is knowledgeable but one of the worst professors and even instructors I have ever had. The average on the final was 55%. Save yourself don't ever take him.
this brother is actually from hell. condescending. dropped the f word in the middle of the lecture to seem hip. the readings are long and dense ASF. JCC thinks he's like a prophet and just rambles about nothing for his lectures it's actually unbearable. my TA was chill tho, he didn't even like JCC
Content wise the material is interesting. As a professor, however, he sucks. He's condescending to people who ask questions and his TAs. The final and midterm appear purposely worded to trip you up. Also, he made the final essay due the day after Thanksgiving which was just plain rude. Midterm- 20%, Final essay-30%, Final-25%