One of my favorite professors at UCSB. I hate public speaking but having ungraded presentations made the class enjoyable. Grades are based on 3 portfolios about a made-up venture of your choosing. The class is more practical than analytical, so if you want to learn more about famous speeches instead of giving your own, take English 18 instead.
This course was by far my favorite course I've taken at UCSB! Ungraded presentations allowed students to take risks and have room for mistakes which took off a ton of pressure. I saw everyone in my class improve so much in their public speaking skills by the end of the quarter. Hanson also puts a ton of effort into providing super helpful feedback!
Guess what you're not graded on in a public speaking class? Public speaking. Instead you're graded on portfolios of busy work. Unnecessarily particular when it comes to grading. Also, takes credit for past students' career success. Ick. If you LOVE motivational speakers, this guy is for you. If not, look elsewhere to improve PS skills.
Writing 105 PS is an incredibly practical class, and it's much less work than other area a2 courses - the whole grade is 3 presentations, plus a portfolio (and maybe a formal email). Hanson is a straightforward lecturer and gives clear feedback, and the class is a place to experiment with your public speaking skills. Really nice atmosphere!
Jeff is a great teacher. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is looking for professional development. It is an easy class in terms of content, but he helps you grow in presentation design in ways you didn't anticipate. I am a biology major, and this is definitely the only class I have taken this quarter that I will ever use in my career.
Genuinely one of the best profs I've had at UCSB. he genuinely cares about his students and wants everyone to succeed, accommodating and gives great feedback. loved going to his office hours and just talking, he's so fun to talk to. also teaches a great class that is highly applicable to the real world!!
Jeff was one of the most engaging professors I've ever had at UCSB, and I've had tons of engaging professors. The material he teaches about public speaking is so practical to life, but the best thing is that he's so passionate about the course material and helping students. You can really tell in class and it's just amazing
Jeffrey is a very charismatic and helpful instructor. He gives a lot of tips on how to present more effectively and how to better draw an audience's attention. The grading is based on attendance and three portfolios. To do well, make sure to follow any advice or feedback that he gives. Overall, this class is very useful in many professional fields.
Amazing professor ! The best class I have taken at UCSB and I am very close to graduating. Professor Hanson deserves some type of recognition- On Campus- because his style of teaching is 'actual' teaching unlike 99.9% of the courses one takes at this University. He really cares and makes coming to class fun even if you had a terrible day.
If you ever take his 105PS class, make sure you are ready to write stuffs that fit strictly to his style. Tough grader. Avoid his class during summer session. His assignment instructions might not always be helpful enough to get you a good grade. Do not procrastinate and be ready to have him read your drafts before final submission.
Hanson is the best professor I have ever had at UCSB. I learned so many things in his classes which have already helped me in my future. For 105ps you only have 3, 3 minute presentations. Before I took the class, I hated public speaking, but after learning the strategies from this class I feel more comfortable speaking in front of people
Before you leave UCSB, you must take a class with Jeff. His genuine enthusiasm for teaching & effort he puts into his students makes you want to succeed. He is encouraging, kind, & very knowledgable. You learn skills applicable in the "real world" in his classes. Go to office hours! It's extremely useful & he is an overall great person to talk to.
Cotich is a great teacher and a great person, but there are time where he isn't always perfect. In my first project turned in, I had previously went to his office hours for help. I still ended up with a C+ even after adding his feedback. He is a tough grader and unresponsive with emails but all that aside, a fantastic teacher
Very useful class! Jeff teaches you real life skills that will help you in your everyday life and after grad. Get to class early! It will be advantageous. Class is repetitive, but necessary, as are OFFICE HOURS. A LOT OF GROUP WORK. If you hate group projects, AVOID. If you are afraid of public speaking, dont be afraid to take this class. It helps!
Cotich was very nice and open to helping out whatever way he could. Class itself is not too work intensive. You do have to put in original thoughts and ideas in order to do well in the class.
only take writing 105g if you want to waste your time, and crave feeling like you're in a middle school grammar class. I would rather eat chicken broth with a fork than take this class again. Craig lacks empathy and understanding as a teacher. if he taught something important I may comprehend his psyche. idk where ucsb found this guy.
If you're not an English major, skip this one. Professor Cotich is a strict grader with unclear grading criteria. Overall, the grading process completely lacked transparency. I took this class to fulfill a GE requirement, and I regretted it the entire quarter. Unless this class is your life passion, I'd go with something else
Professor Cotich is extremely helpful outside of class if you want feedback and wants you to come to office hours. At times I felt the material and expectations were not clear in what he wanted from us. The class was very interesting and it teaches you a lot about persuasive writing and change. You have to work for a good grade and put in the work.
Super inconsiderate about what you are going through.
Craig is a master at his craft. 105 was by far one of the most challenging but rewarding classes I have taken. Definitely not an easy A but you'll learn to appreciate grammar. The material takes time and effort to understand but Craig is available to you 24/7. He genuinely wants you to succeed in his class. He's also super funny and approachable.
One of the best teachers I've had at UCSB. He is passionate about the subject and shows genuine care for his students' progress. While it takes work to get good grades, I wouldn't say he is a hard grader as much as a teacher who sets clear and rigid expectations, and if you follow them, you should do well.
Professor had good lectures, but wasn't very approachable. Still, an interesting class.
I had a great time in Prof. Cotich's class! I took a couple upper divs with him. He's a bit intimidating (at least I thought so) but I had no problem getting time to talk with him outside of class--never had any time where I couldn't get feedback. Also really empathetic in my experience and was understanding with issues. Took classes pre-COVID.
Just look at the consistency in writing between the 5 star reviews. Very obvious he has written 99% of these 5 star reviews himself. They all have the same content -- "omg grammar is so cool! *hard grader* but wow he's amazing!!" basically the positive connotation of every real review - "way too hard of a grader. perfectionist on grammar, etc" lol
