BLST 33 / C LIT 33 taken in Fall 2020. No lectures whatsoever, the entire class consisted of one book every week and weekly reflections on the book, plus section attendance and a final paper. Unresponsive through email, when he does respond he's very cold. Avoid at all costs.
Nine weekly assignments worth 81 percent of grade (9 percent each) and one final paper, open ended. You create your own question and use course material to answer it. Tons of reading but it's all really interesting so it doesn't feel too heavy. Weekly assignment have 3 questions each worth 3 points. Good course with an easily accessible professor.
Strongman is extremely knowledgeable in his field but his lectures can be a bit monotonous. He assigns readings from a reader and two short books. There are three papers that are fairly easy if you take great knows based off of what he says in lecture. Does not use PowerPoint and only gave us one pop quiz and a short presentation.
Super expensive $70 reader only to be assigned 4-5 stories/poems. The rest of the book is "for fun". It was hard to tell what he wanted, I'd turn in an essay I thought was amazing and get a C. My final essay was crap, I even turned it in a day late and got an A. Only 3 essay grades and 2 quizzes so there's no room to actually improve your grade.
Strongman is not a professor to take if you're looking to get an easy A or not to grow intellectually. If you're ready to work and be open minded, I would recommend taking any of his courses. He is passionate about what he teaches and knows what he's talking about. He's available during office hours to answer questions and is really helpful.
Strongman is a very intelligent man, truly brilliant. However, his lectures are a bit all over the place and hard to follow because they're a little dry. It's an ok class to take but I've been in much more stimulating classes at ucsb.
Strongman is a intelligent professor and does a good job of exploring a large number of themes in his class, but his demeanor towards students is really frustrating. He repeatedly expresses disappointment with the lack of participation in the class (even though I've been in much quieter classes) but often smirks and giggles when people do speak up.
Strongman is a tough grader and professor. You will not get by easily in this class. HOWEVER, he is so, so brilliant and very passionate about the material. If you put in the effort (and I mean a lot of it) and really engage, your grade will reflect it and you grow intellectually. Don't take on a heavy classload, but definitely worth taking!
I take Black Studies classes because I have strong writing skills. Bringing a finished draft of a paper to him before turning it in will not help. He does not like to give A's on papers which really affects your grade in the course. Don't take him if you are concerned about your GPA. Readings are ok but lectures are really boring and section-esque.
This professor does not enjoy teaching whatsoever. You could tell everyday that he dreaded being there, almost as if he were too good to be "teaching". Overall, one of the worst professors I've encountered and he is quite arrogant in his approach. I would avoid. UCSB...get another person for this course.
Love him! The work is challenging but it was enjoyable because I loved the novels and poems. It motivated me to improve m French so I can read them in the original.
Good.
this prof has more discussion that lecture. either we discuss readings or watch films. I personally felt like i was just in section the whole quarter. Some of the readings are difficult to understand and some are very interesting. Said %15 of class was pop quizzes, he gave 1 pop quiz in week 7. I didnt really go to class but still did well
Although his accent may confuse you on some of his words, you can still comprehend pretty much everything. Class seems long sometimes, but he is passionate in his subject. He isn't a harsh grader at all, just do all his work and he takes attendance! Nice grader, interesting class. Would take again!
The best professor I ever had! I was inspired to learn more about African Religions in Cuba, Brazil and Haiti. The videos were cool and helpful. Entertaining but also rigorous.
He gave me an A!!!!!!!!!!!! I worked like a dog, but he saw my effort and gave me a good grade.
He got me into graduate school! He helped me write a good writing sample and wrote me an awesome letter or rec. Dr. Strongman is A+ all the way.
The best! I learned a lot about the history of black people outside of the US. He really helped me with my writing and to find articles.
Awesome! The most intelligent prof I had in Ethnic Studies. I learned so much about the part of the world my parents came from. My mom and dad were impressed with what I learned. I understand Jamaica so much more now. the meeting I liked the most was when he analyzed bob marley's songs
This guy expects everyone to become a scholar. Someone needs to tell him that not all students want to go on to get Ph.D.s and teach. I did get something out of the class but he wants you to write and participate at a high level.
Wow! I had no idea that an Ethnic Studies class could be so theoretical! I was kind of scared by the level of philosophy he had us read but I go the hang of it and it helped me with upper division classes. He made me feel I could go to grad school.
The best professor I have had at UCSB in all four years there. I thought he was stuck up until I met with him in office hours and he was totally there for me! He gave me so much attention that I left feeling like I really had it in me to write a good paper and that I was smart.
Truly outstanding intellectual! He really makes me think outside the box. I felt like I travelled to so many places reading poetry from people all over the world. A bit harsh in grading essays, but worth it because my writing got better.
Loved him!!! he was a little boring, but you get a lot out of his class. Pop quizzes are easy, essays are easy, the only thing though, is that there is A LOT of reading, but if you read,or at least get the gist,you'll get an A.
