Prof Marcus is very old fashioned and his lectures can be a bit unorganized but if you go to his office hours and just have a conversation with him about his background and/or the course material, it clears a lot of it up. He is a very interesting professor with a non-traditional background. Great person to have a conversation with

Scott Marcus was by far the worst professor I have ever taken. He rushes every class and somehow teaches very little material. He gets offended and very defensive if you disagree on something he's formed a strong opinion about. His exams rely heavily on the reading which can be very different from the lectures themselves. Highly do not recommend.

I took a class with him in the early 90s. I see from the other ratings, he hasn't changed. Very arrogant and thinks he's funny and engaging. He's not. He's only interested in India and HIS viewpoint. I really can't believe UCSB has kept him this long. Terrible teacher.

It was really hard to go to lectures, but he's passionate about the subject matter and can be funny so I really wanna give him a pass. but those 50 minute lectures felt like HOURS. I'm sad that I took this class for an arts credit, I wish I could have done something else.

So, you want to take World Music with THE Scott Marcus. Do you have social anxiety? get over it. Want to look at anything or anyone that's not Scott? forget it. Miss one of the mandatory concerts? ky$. he's a cutie patootie though!

Don't take if u want to sit quietly in lecture and protect your peace. Do not look down. Do not look away from him. If u think he can't see u, he can. Pauses frequently to ye|| at ppl for looking at their phones/laptops. Truly fight or flight the moment u walk into class. Oh u want to learn about the WORLD in WORLD music? Think again. Only India.