Great topics and lectures. Readings weren't difficult but could be long, definitely do them if you want to pass they'll likely be on the midterm or final. Professor was very genuine and cared for this topic which made lectures super interesting. He'd get emotional which was slightly awkward, but showed his passion and would definitely retake.

Very passionate about what he does, great lectures except the class is VERY centered around his perspectives/opinions even if he does acknowledge others at times. Inspirational at times but loves to talk about himself...Lots of reading, suggest you do all of it. Just go to lectures and you'll be mostly prepared for the two exams and the one paper.

Definitely one of my most favorite professors. He's very passionate about what he teaches (gets emotional pretty often) and works diligently to engage with all his students. Heavy topics so don't take if you're not interested in actually learning and doing work outside of class. There's no graded homework but said material can be put on the exams.

Vastly knowledgable on CHST, making Ralph a great prof- speaks from his huge heart. Covers harsh realities, goes above & beyond by including the similar experiences of other marginalized groups & how they are all intertwined + why u should care. Life changing. If u can shrug off the mistreatment of other humans and want easy A: THIS IS NOT FOR YOU.

Professor Armbruster's Chicano Studies 1A is one of the best classes I've ever taken. He is so passionate about what he teaches and his lectures as well as guest speakers have been so powerful. I am an engineering student so this class was so eye opening--I even spoke to my family about his lecture.

He is just the most kind, caring, inspirational professor I have ever had. We as a class, including him, cried atleast once each week because of the beauitful, sad, and inspriring stories we delved into. It's hard for me to open up about my feelings but with him it's so easy because he's so caring and I recommend everyone visit his office hours.

very down to earth

Professor Armbruster is very well spoken and educated on what he teaches; it proves in his manner to lecture. Lots of reading to do if you want to do well on the assignments. Subjects he teaches are tough topics—bring a tissue.

The most wholesome person on the planet, love this king so much. 100% recommend!

Most wholesome person on the planet, love this king so much.

Too much work for a GE tbh not worth. Def better ones out there if you want something lighter. So if you're scrolling through rate my professor finding an easy class that you don't have to pay attention to, this isn't the one. I recommend intro to Caribbean studies.

Professor Ralph is my favorite professor that I have had at UCSB so far, he is a very inspiring person and deeply cares for the students and the future. I would recommend 100% he changed the way I have looked at life

I found this course to be highly enjoyable and enlightening, allowing me to connect with my past in ways I had not thought about. Despite encountering some narrow-minded reviews, I would highly recommend this class as a GE or for a Soc major.

Taking Professor Ralph's fall 2023 class was transformative. He's passionate, brought in authors, and deeply cares about students. The final paper, focusing on a significant life moment, was tough but doable. Highly recommend his class for an enriching experience. If you don't appreciate emotion and passion then don't take it.

Incredible class! He's very passionate. I went to a few of his office hours, and you can tell he loves what he does. I didn't think the class was boring at all, but we did have alot of readings. We had 2 guest speakers present after reading and/or watching their work, and we had time to speak to them after class. Truly the best class I've taken!!

The professor is a very passionate guy (cried in multiple lectures) and definitely knows his stuff, but I didn't love him as a prof. Would only briefly mention terms that we needed to be prepared to write a paragraph on for the midterm/final. Homework is movies and readings, not too bad. Midterm and final are essay questions. Overall easy A.

Ralph is such a passionate professor who wants to interact with students. I can see why you might find this class boring if you don't have a genuine interest in chicano studies but I think a lot of people on here exaggerate it. You study a lot more than what's on the test. If you're able to make connections between different concepts you're set.

One of the most, if not most caring professors at UCSB. I took this class as a GE but found myself thoroughly invested in the topics and discussions. Grading scale was 15% Section Attendance, 25% Midterm, 30% Final, 30% Paper when I took it and it was easy to score high on these as long as you followed along with the main topics of discussion.

He clearly likes to hear himself talk. He spent an entire class talking about his trauma, which boiled down to his parents divorcing and his grandmother dying. While is clearly very well informed, he is self-aggrandizing. Lectures are not mandatory and honestly could just be skipped, as he posts the lecture slides. Just an annoying class all around

so boring. L class with so many readings. midterm is 50 terms that he picks 10 of, you answer six as well as a 3 page essay: 4 prompts that he picks 2 of, you answer 1. incredibly boring material, incredibly boring lecture, an additional family interview paper to the midterm and final - too much work for a class that is needed for ge credit

DON'T take Chicano studies with him unless you yourself are very passionate about Chicano studies. It could just be his TA Fabian though. The goal shouldn't be memorizing every historical detail and all its connections. Essays are graded way too in depth when a basic understanding of Chicano history should be accepted.

Shoutout to Ralph for being one of the best professors I had in my first year, very passionate teaching the material. Lectures were being resonating and emotional at times. Easy GE or major course to take as long as you pay attention to his lecture and readings. Exams and creative essay were easy to understand as long as you follow the prompt.

Although attendance wasnt mandatory, I would go to his lectures because of how inspiring and passionate he is. By far my favorite professor and he cares about his students and what he teaches. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IF YOU WANT TO TAKE HIM! Reviews are STRAIGHTFORWARD exactly what will be on midterm/final. There is also a creative paper which was fun!!

Best professor ever! Really interesting lecture and generous grade. Two tests and a 6page essay plus section attendance. I missed the final but he immediately let me make up. Caring and nice person. Recommend to take.