Examines significant instances of economic, political, cultural, and social change in contemporary Latin America. Employs various perspectives to illuminate such phenomena as changing social structures, industrialization, social movements, the states, multinationals, the military, and international pressures.

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.

4

Units

Optional

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

Upper division only

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
GEs Writing
ROBINSON W I
William Robinson
3.5
133 reviews
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SOC 130LA Robinson W I Winter 2025 Total: 128
SOC 130LA Robinson W I Fall 2023 Total: 156
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133
3.5
130LA . Robinson W I 2 Months Ago

It is a intense class, around 80-200 pages of reading with a 1000 word reflection a week. I learned more than I have in any class I have taken. No electronics sounded daunting at first, but it actually made the class so much more interesting. I highly recommend this class or another one with Robinson but get ready to read and write.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
SOC130LA . Robinson W I 2 Months Ago

Someone called him a dictator, and they're not wrong. Attendance is mandatory with 3 iClickers. No electronics in class. 1000 word reflections every week. He pretty much talks at you for 3 hours showing off everything he knows, which is quite a bit so I respect him for that. He would bring up very relative things in class which was nice.

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130LA . Robinson W I 1 Year, 6 Months Ago

One of my favorite professors I've had at UCSB. I left class shocked every night by all the crazy new things I had learned about history, the government, etc. The 3 hour classes flew by. There's weekly 1000 word reading responses, but they are pretty easy once you get used to them. Everyone should take Robinson if they get the chance!

1 helpful 0 unhelpful
130LA . Robinson W I 2 Years Ago

I love Professor Robinson! He is such an amazing lecturer. The best class I have ever taken at UCSB and he is such a respected professor. Definitely recommend his class and his passion for knowledge about sociology in Latin America. The readings were a lot but doable. Reflections were easy. I don't understand why people rating him so badly. Love it

0 helpful 1 unhelpful
130LA . Robinson W I 2 Years Ago

I've taken his classes 3 times and I've gotten an A in all of them but man was it difficult to keep up with an 100+ pages of reading a week and emotionally draining content. The weekly reflection is relatively easy to get an A on, but you need to do the majority of the readings. He will make you watch documentaries that are truly horrific.

1 helpful 0 unhelpful
130LA . Robinson W I 3 Years Ago

I've taken 3 of his classes, all very interesting, a good lecturer and I learned a lot. However, I can only give him 4 stars because he has a zero-tolerance policy on electronics, is a stickler for attendance, and assigns a very heavy amount of reading. If you do all the work you'll get an A.

1 helpful 0 unhelpful
See all 133 reviews
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