Lots of readings in this class for a non-major student. Took this class for GE but it eventually got an A due to the extra credits and the grading system. Spickard really cared about the students ' well-beings and was pretty approachable via email and OH. His lectures could be a bit ambiguous and seemed to be off tangent. But overall a ez class

Prof. Spickard is an amazing professor who is well-informed, and embracing to different ideas in this class. He literally introduced us to various topics of world history, which were easy to understand. The readings maybe a bit too much but as long as you get the basics for that you will be fine. His lectures were also thought provoking !!

There was lots of reading , but if you made sure to read some, and summaries on the others , plus attend lecture, you are assured a good grade ! He is very clear with his grading and the TA is also a very important aspect in this class as section counts for a lot . Paul is such a caring and nice guy, you can really tell he cares about his students!

Spickard made us buy 7 books and honestly none of the readings are useful. Also constantly talks about how great he is.

mans is off topic 110% of the time. rambler. his lectures routinely wayyyy longer than allotted time/ necessary. also opinionated

I will give him credit for being extremely entertaining & thought provoking. His style of teaching is engaging. But I am sorry to say that Spickard is everything wrong with the public university system. He presents his feelings as fact and bends the truth. This class teaches you to feel victimized and oppressed rather than empowered and succeed.

Mr. Ware was one of the most candid professors Ive ever had. He possessed knowledge & passion about the subject. Some days he held lectures in a circle or outside which was inviting & intimate. Grade was based on 3 essays & participation. He was disorganized & hard to reach but it was his 1st quarter teaching at UCSB. Despite that, hes worth it!

Wares lectures are interesting, but hes extremely disorganized. He posted paper prompts and readings late and hardly ever responded over email, making it hard to plan out my work for this class. However, the paper prompts are straightforward and hes a really easy grader, so if youre willing to deal with how scatterbrained he is, its an easy A.

Amazing at lecture, but extremely unorganized. Very hard to reach outside of class. Didnt post lectures or required readings on time. In fact, final grades werent submitted on time on his end, and my grade currently marks as NR.

Spickard knows how to logically change your perspective about everything you thought about race, religion, and ethnicity. He is downright hilarious, funny, and CARES about his students and subjects. Go to his office hours

Took his Black Freedom and Revolutions class and he is a solid choice for a professor. He's young-ish, funny, and knows a lot about African and Islamic history. The only complaints i have are that he's disorganized and is hard to reach outside of class. Easy grader too

Paul is one of the best professors I've had at UCSB. He is hilarious and really brings a positive environment to class. I leave class every day with my mind changed and having really refined my understanding of very important themes about identity, race, and American culture. He has really inspired me to question myself, and has taught me a lot.

Incredible amounts of reading. I left lectures knowing more about his own opinions and thoughts rather than the actual material. Oddly strict about having technology out during lectures. I felt he was condescending. He would pose questions only to tell those that dare answer that they were wrong or lacking in information.

Spickard's classes are not your average history classes. He tells it how it is and this probably offends many people. His classes WILL change your perspective on history, race, ethnicity, and social issues. He is a professor who genuinely cares about his students, and is passionate about his subject

Prof Spickard DOES NOT TEACH HISTORY COURSES in the contemporary sense. Took his "History of Immigration" class and we just talked about the weekly news and our thoughts and opinions on it. Barely learned anything in his class aside from his opinion on things. DON'T TAKE HIS CLASS IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HISTORY OR HISTORICAL EVENTS LIKE ME.

Spickard is a great professor!! He makes history interesting and will keep you entertained. His classes are not boring. There is a lot of reading for this class but they are really interesting. Midterm and final are simple IDs and essay(s). One paper that you get to choose the topic for. Better hope you get a good TA.

Loved this upper division class. Really got to help me with my own identity. Really showed his passion to teach and his love for his students. 100% recommend to anyone looking for a good professor.

Paul Spickard is by far the best professor I have had at UCSB. Shows the real side of history (which is why some people do not like him) but is all backed up with facts. Left lecture every time enriched with new information that I never knew I would need. Definitely a tough class but you will fall in love with it and won't mind doing it at all! :)

The worst professor I have ever had at UCSB. Taught his opinions as fact and frequently rambled on and on. His lectures were incredibly disorganized and lots of stuff on the final and midterm were pieces of material that we did not even go over in class. First UCSB class that I ever fell asleep in. Avoid Professor Spickard at all costs.

If you are not at all interested in the subject, I do not recommend this professor. The class is weirdly structured and the amount of reading/ preparation for the final is ridiculous

Please don't take this class. Whenever I went to lecture I left thinking it was a waste of time. I would consider this class one of the bigger mistakes I made this year. No technology policy and if Spickard sees it he will humiliate you in front of the class. His lectures are disorganized and there is so much reading its not possible to do it all

I was looking forward to 2C because I like modern history but maybe Spickard is just not the professor for me. Lectures and sections can be very dry. No technology in lecture or section, not even to take notes or he'll take it and embarrass you in front of the 500 students in the lecture hall. There is a considerable amount of reading as well.

This class was refreshing. I didn't take many notes in this class. Mainly just show up to lecture and listen to an extremely different perspective on history. One long paper that can basically be about anything so it isn't hard and an easy midterm and final. Spickard will definitely keep you entertained.

He is inspirational and opinionated which some may like, but his lecture style is a mess. There is no structure to it. Lots of reading and 6-8 pg essay. Midterm and final are IDs and essay based off readings and lectures. If you work hard you'll get a good grade, but definitely not an easy GE. Wouldn't recommend unless you absolutely need to take.