Most interesting class I have taken at UCSB. He speaks very well, is very knowledgeable, and provides a good course curriculum. He has a website where he posts all the readings and additional material but he still makes you go to class and sign an attendance sheet. Even so, 1010 would recommend.

DO not take him if you are just taking art for a GE. He takes it way too seriously. Lectures and sections are mandatory. He does have homework. And tests don't actually test if you understand the concepts, but instead if you memorized obscure architects names and dates. Overall, a horrible class for anyone who isn't an art history major.

Great professor. He knows his stuff, and you can tell that he is passionate. There is no homework, and the tests are all memorization. If you are remotely interested in buildings/architecture at all, I recommend taking this class.

He is AWESOME. A great, very intelligent, clear lecturer, and funny. If you go to class, and pay attention (I didn't even take notes), you will pass. He provides every lecture (with pictures and text) online, and the readings are free PDFs! This is a great class, and he makes it interesting and challenging, but very easy to pass.

Great lecturer. Very intelligent and knowledgable about subject matter. Presented the material in a clear, organized, and interesting way. Attendance during lecture was mandatory. Exams (midterm and final) were straightforward, and essay questions were given out before the day of the exam. Slide IDs were on both exams.

Definitely one of the best lecturers I've had, and he makes class interesting and fun. I wasn't into in history of architecture before this class, but he got me really interested in the subject.

Such an interesting class, I always looked forward to coming to lecture (which is rare). Professor Wittman is so knowledgeable and passionate which made the class very intriguing. Class is made up of 4 things, attendance, 1 midterm, 1 final (non cumulative), and an in person essay. Relatively simple as long as you show up and pay attention!

If you take this for just an easy credit don't do it lol I made that mistake, he's so passionate and kind but be aware you need to memorize EVERYTHING! 60 seconds for random buildings, you must know all aspects and read the things he assigns. Essays can be a bit hard & heavily graded, lectures are a bit messy but he's a very cool professor :) fyi

His midterm and final were extremely difficult for me, though I admit these are partially due to my own shortcomings. His midterm and final are based on terms and you're given 60 seconds to recognize and identify all information on them (date, architect, name of structure, location, etc). I did not have fun in this class but it was interesting.

If you have an interest in architectural history then Wittman is an excellent professor to take. His courses are lecture heavy but they are very interesting (personally, I find them enthralling). 142F was a new course for this quarter and he was a bit disorganized but I've taken several other courses with him and that's typically not an issue.

Lecture slides have little information on them, so be prepared to takes lots of notes (attendance is also mandatory). Had a midterm, in-class essay and final - midterm was supposed to be 5 IDs and two short-essay questions but he made it 15 IDs without telling anyone ahead of time. Getting a good grade is doable you just have to put in lots of work

142F was a new class and extremely disorganized. Wittman did not post the readings on time and was behind in the course materials. He was vague and unclear about what would be on the exams.

Professor Wittman gives entertaining lectures and clearly is very passionate about his subject. Very understanding professor with minimal homework so the class is relatively easy if you show up for lecture

Class was a hybrid course so there was a mandatory lecture on one day and videos + readings on another day. He doesn't record his in person lectures which sucks but I enjoyed going to them. One gripe I had is that he doesn't put a lot text in his lecture slides, only images. Graded by two tests and a paper.

tough class , attendance and reading is mandatory.

Lot of reading and memorization. You have to be there every day or else you won't understand anything . Lectures are all just pictures . Professor has high standards, tests are extremely tough as well as the grading . Acts contemptuous . do not recommend taking this class

I took two of Prof. Wittman's classes last quarter and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. The classes are no walk in a park, haha, but they are far from impossible. He is an engaging and interesting prof. although the lectures can become dense and daunting. Definitely take his courses if you are at all interested in architecture.

Fast lecturer, hard to keep up with topics. He jumps around from one idea to another making it confusing to follow. He acts snobbish to students . tests are harshly graded . Would not take this class again for credits . Avoid at all costs

He is a good guy. But an impossible professor. His tests are so difficult. I did all the readings, and payed attention in every class. Still got a D. The questions on the test make little sense. You'll be doing a lot of comparing of two buildings. You have to come up with things on your own, chances are you will be sorely wrong. I would avoid.

personally condescending towards students. unclear, very high expectations. harsh grading. do not take this class if you need credits!

asking for a lot for a class that doesn't cover GE's. perhaps because of Harvard background, hard grader for essays and material is very dense

Wittman is awesome. His lectures are like listening to someone tell a story so the material is actually presented in an interesting and memorable way. He is really passionate about the subject matter and knows the topics really well. I would really like to take another course with him.

Professor Wittman is HANDS DOWN one of the top lecturers at UCSB (or anywhere). He takes clarity to a new level; so thorough and so in depth but easy to stay with it if you pay attention. He provides all the readings for free. The course content (french public sphere/architecture) was fascinating. I HIGHLY recommend taking a course with him

Great lecturer, used lots of awesome visual aids. Exams directly correlated to lectures. Readings were supplementary to lectures. Attendance required. One of my favorite profs here. Do recommend!