This class was really heavy on the readings but the quizzes were fairly easy, attendance was taken in class and she asks for a lot of participation.
I LOVE THIS PROF. She is so cute and Italian mother-like. Class is super chill and material is interesting. We read one short book throughout and had 2 short & easy reaction papers. Midterm and final were multiple choice tests, pretty easy if you attended lecture. Could make a pizza from scratch for extra credit!
Loved this class! She's such a good lecturer I genuinely wanted to come to class. Goes at a good pace while adding in fun anecdotes. She gives extra credit, 2 easily graded papers, 2 exams, 4 quizzes, if you go to lecture you don't have to do any of the readings to do well on the exams. My first Italian class and would 100% recommend.
I was so excited for a class on Italian culture, but she made it hard to get anything done! I had health issues all quarter and when I asked for an extension on the first paper, she gave me 15 extra hours total, including sleeping. Since I couldn't do the paper (25% of my grade), it guaranteed I would fail the class unless I aced everything.
Literally the best professor I have had at UCSB, one could even argue that she is the GOAT of all the professors and faculty members within the school.
Prof. is amazing. She told amazing stories & I genuinely enjoyed the book we were assigned to read. I liked the films and the extra credit (pizza making) assignment was so much fun to do. Well organized class and 100% my fav class I took this quarter. Tests medium hard, but nothing crazy or unexpected. I def recommend.
Prof. Padula is hilarious and encourages open discussion in class. Honestly this class was an easy A. Clear grading criteria, insanely easy midterm + final, and you get extra credit if you decide to make a pizza from scratch at home. Lectures can be boring, but she really gives you a taste of authentic Italian culture.
Italian Culture as it should be, Fashion, Food, Mafia, Politics, and Modern life in Italy. Make a pizza for your friends for extra credit. Show up, have fun, easy A.
I absolutely loved this class. There was a short book that was an easy read along with articles on GS. I never read the articles and was fine. 1 midterm, 2 easy short pages (2 pages each), and 1 final. She is awesome and her lectures really give you a taste of what Italian culture is really like. I would HIGHLY recommend this class!
Padula was really excited during each lecture. You don't really need to read the book because she gives a detailed summary during class. The weekly quizes are pretty easy if you have gone to class.
Valentina Padula is really kind and her class was fun and informing. The “textbook” is a short, funny novel. There are extra readings each week that are poorly written and impossible to comprehend without a dictionary. Fortunately, she discusses each one. Exams are not quite what the study guides suggest, but they’re not too challenging.
Valentina is a remarkable professor and I definitely recommend taking one of her classes. Her lectures are so interesting and she is adorable. I absolutely loved having her!
Amazing professor! Highly recommend taking her Italian culture class. Watched 6 Italian movies and all the readings were online. Two short reaction papers, four quizzes, a midterm and final. Tests were fair and topics were interesting.
Professor Padula was the best, she was very funny and overall amazing.
Professor Padula is wonderful. Genuinely loves teaching, super fun. The class was not very difficult but I also learned a ton.
super funny and likeable. Italian 16 A easy, but 16B is a lot harder. chnages from easy class to class you actually have to try in
Valentina is absolutely wonderful. She really cares about students passing, and will try her best to make sure you succeed. She creates a welcoming environment in her classes and is always available to help, even if you email her at 2 am before finals. I highly recommend taking her class.
Took this as a GE, received good grades. Course material is kinda boring unless actually interested in European history, but thats whatever. Very little homework, only one lengthy paper due the last day of class. Our class reader was an easy grader, and the professor was a very quick responder to emails!! She also gives enough time for assignments.
She is very nice and patient. She has a clear layout of course materials on GS. Given the COVID-19, we do small group sessions which are really helpful to practice what we learned and get to know each other. She replies to e-mails very quickly. Really worth it to try if you are interested in Italian.
The Italian department at UCSB is wonderful. Signora Valentina is a very sweet lady and her class is always engaging. Quizzes aren't too hard if you study for at least thirty minutes beforehand. Would definitely take again!
Prof Padula is a great Italian teacher. She is patient and understanding, also charismatic. Homework can look like a lot but it's really not. Unfortunately you need the book on Cengage but its worth it. Attendance is mandatory. Quiz every 2 weeks, homework due Mondays and Wednesdays. Final is written/oral.
Valentina is amazing. She is funny, caring, and really gets to know students. I am so glad i finished out the Italian series at UCSB with her. She lectures completely in Italian and encourages questions in Italian, but isn't condescending if you make a mistake. Her jeopardy and kahoot review games for each test were the highlights of the class.
I loved Professor Padula and I hope to take another course taught by her someday! She is nice and very approachable. I plan on minoring in Italian Studies and she made me want to do it even more. She even made me consider double-majoring with Italian. She is so passionate about the language, teaches well, and sets you up for success!
super funny and sweet and always available to help with correcting any essay! fun class to attend :)
