Prof. Cortijo is very friendly and explores broader connections to real-world concepts with course content. Attendance not taken but homework assignment is a paper and he gives the prompt at the end of class. Comfortable environment but definitely participation heavy and he somewhat calls on you.

155A - Love & Desire - Best Spanish Class and Best Spanish Prof I took at UCSB, and I am a senior. I loved Profe Cortijo's lectures, so engaging, you actually wanted to participate. The material was unique, fun, and impactful. I can't recommend this class enough!

I took SPAN 131 Golden Age Poetry. Cortijo is the best lecturer ever. He scribbles jiberish all over the board and discusses the most obscure topics but he somehow makes it all make sense. Readings and attendance aren't mandatory but you'll want to go to class. Two 2-page papers and one 8 page final paper.

Cortijo is super lenient and and a decently easy grader. You don't have to do any of the readings but it helps to go and write down word for word what he says in lecture and use all of this in your essays. We were required to do 2 or 3 2 page literature reviews which were no big deal and 2 essays that were our "midterms." Overall super easy class

This course was very easy and straight forward. 5 short papers are the only homework, midterms and final. He lays everything out for you and doesn't care whether you come to class or not. Lectures are very interesting and engaging. Would recommend no matter what level your Spanish is at.

First course I've take with Professor Ocaña. His class is based on 2 literature reviews and 3 papers (midterm, final, and "quiz"). There is no structure or organization in his class and assignments can be turned in whenever as long as it's before the end of the quarter. The 3 prompts are straight forward as he basically gives u all the info.