History 8A-B are general survey courses designed to introduce students to major themes in Latin American history. This course encompasses the crisis of colonial rule in the late eighteenth century, independence wars in the early nineteenth century, and the birth and transformations of independent republics from Mexico through the Caribbean to the Andes and the Southern Cone, into the twenty-first century. The course emphasizes the diversity of the Latin American experience with special attention to political processes and social transformations including revolutions, slavery and its legacies, and the struggle for citizenship and democracy, with particular attention to the working classes and ingenious movements.
5
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeProfessor Mendez is very knowledgeable about Latin American history, however, her methods in teaching are a bit disorganized. The TAs carried the class, filling in the context of the week's lectures (and explaining more than Mendez). We had weekly quizzes, weekly discussion posts, and 2 papers. Overall, it is manageable but become close to your TA!
Very disorganized. This was probably the most chaotic course I have ever taken at UCSB. She did not necessarily teach as she had guest professors do a lecture once a week and when she did lecture the material she would go over was in tangents as she would get off topic. Assigned reading with 80+ pages and did not clearly lecture her own research.
Professor Mendez is the absolute worst professor to teach history. Her lack of fu''ing showing up to class on time shows that. 30 minutes late lol. she never helps at all! Got my section switched and emailed TA and prof, numerous times. No response to any of my emails!! Prof Mendez is the perfect example of being the worst teacher!!! TA, no bueno!!
Avoid this class. Lectures are confusing/hard to follow and she doesn't grade any assignments. UCSB should improve its hiring process because being a professor does not ensure good teaching. It is unacceptable to receive substandard education given the high cost of tuition. I took this class Winter quarter 2023. GRADES HAVE NOT BEEN SUBMITTED YET.
This professor is not prepared for her courses. She did not release her syllabus until the fourth week of the quarter and misled students countless times on assignment information. Moreover, she was a hard grader and expected much while not providing any useful information in the class. There were two weekly assignments and one final paper.
Never take this Professor she is awful, gives feedback too late and doesn’t post grades. She is so disorganized.