He's a great professor, I am on my last year at UCSB and he's the best professor I have ever had. The material is interesting and easy to grasp. overall great class

for the sake of ur mental health and if u struggle w anxiety, I strongly don't recommend this professor. one of his old reviews perfectly sums it up: he does not test you on ur knowledge of the course material, he tests how well you can interpret his vague wording on exams. speaks in a condescending tone when you feel overwhelmed by the workload

With the circumstances of covid19, Dr. Abra's lectures were still so interesting and I felt like I finally learned something for once while online school has just felt really dragging. The work load is not much and easy to get through. Textbook could be helpful but I did fine without it.

Due to COVID I had to take Dr. Abras class online and it was asynchronous so I thought it was going to be difficult to stay focused and do well but his lectures were great and easy to pay attention to! You can tell hes passionate about this subject and is very knowledgeable so it makes lectures interesting. Definitely recommend!

This was the worst class Ive ever took. The professor was a extremely hard grader. Many of the students in his class didnt show up to the final because of how harsh he was at grading assignments. Attendance wasnt mandatory but if you dont show up you wont pass because his tests are half lecture half reading. I would not take this class again

Abra is great. His lectures are hilarious and engaging, so its easy to follow along even though he doesnt use PowerPoint. Just be sure to also do the readings! He curves generously too, which is rare in the comm department. Grade is based on 1 midterm, 1 easy paper, and the final. I loved his class so much that Im taking him again next quarter.

One of the best professors I've ever had. His style is unique in that he just talks and occasionally uses the chalkboard, but man, he is engaging and interesting to listen to. His tests are half textbook, half class, so you must do both to get an A. The class has a nice curve to it, and there are 3 short paper assignments, of which you pick 2 to do

Straight forward grading criteria: 50% of the tests directly from his lectures, and the other 50% from the textbook. He's an extremely smart guy. His lectures are hilarious and easy to follow because he relates the concepts of sociology to the stories he tells in class. He makes you think about society in a whole new way. Take his class!

Go to class and read the textbook - midterms and final are 50% lecture material and 50% textbook. If you skip one of these components you will have a very difficult time. Abra is one of the most engaging lecturers and makes the content interesting with his examples even if it isn't. 10/10 would take another class from him again

BEST PROFESSOR I'VE EVER HAD!! You'll need to read the whole textbook and show up to every class - his tests are 50% reading and 50% lecture. It's worth the work though, he's amazing!!

Abra is one of the best professors I've ever had. Tests are short answer (less than a sentence usually), half on lecture half on book. Reading and showing up to lecture is therefore necessary, but the material is interesting. Not that tough overall, as long as you read and study hard! If there was a second class for 173, I'd definitely take it!

I loved Abra's class, but I didn't get the best test grades. I am a DSPS student who needed accommodations, and still got a D on both exams, but an A on the few assignments we had. Other DSPS peers had the same issue. If you can devote 4 hours a day to reading the material, I recommend this class. If you're a full time student, I would not.

Abra is an amazing lecturer, he's really smart and engaging. The book will be your life though, he asks the most detailed questions from there. The papers were okay too. The curve was a life saver, he's a great professor but it's definitely going to take a lot of dedication on your end.

Abra is among the best professors I've had. He keeps people engaged and is a natural educator. I would definitely take any classes he offered as he easily conveys the material and makes the class fun, despite it being 8am. The papers let you explore facets of law you're interested in - while the tests were hard his grading scale made up for it.

One of my favorite professors at UCSB. The material is relevant and stays with you. The reading are clear and add to the lectures. The exams are fair and should be easy if you went to class and read. Learned so much and would take any class with Abra. Little early though.

my favorite professor! His lectures will stay with you. He's funny and uses common sense. Great lectures. i only wish he didn't teach at 8 am

Personally one of my favorite classes I have ever taken. No power points he simply stands up there and talks with a few hand drawn visuals on the board, so if you miss class you won't pass. Two midterms and a cumulative final, as well as two super easy 2-page memos. Overall not too much reading and a fairly easy class if you show up for class!

Best professor I had at UCSB. You actually learn in his lectures and you must attend lectures and do the readings in order to do well on the exams. His lectures are very clear and uses great examples and gets to the point. He is also funny which keeps the class engaged.

Best Prof I have had at UCSB. Don't be scared, he is awesome!

class is early in the morning but it was worth it because he kept my attention. He's funny and great at lecturing. You will need to read and pay attention the midterm is a bit difficult. I would take him again- TAKE IT!

Abra stuck strictly to verbal lectures without powerpoint, but I found the content of his class so interesting and him as a person a pretty good lecturer it wasn't hard to pay attention. Interesting material/topics in a class I didn't expect to enjoy.

Extremely difficult tests, no guidance/tips on what areas of the book to focus on for midterms/finals, no power point lectures in class, and the most boring lectures. I thought this would be a fun UD elective but I regret taking it because I don't even think I'm going to pass. Extremely tough grader. Wouldn't recommend.

Abra is enthusiastic and engaging, and his expectations for both the exams and paper are straightforward. One thing I will say is lectures are purely auditory and if you don't learn like that it's not always easy to pay attention. There are barely any readings but you have to do them to do well on tests. Take this if you're at all into science.

BEST PROF. & CLASS EVER. He has the most exciting and interesting lectures and topics. He teaches in a way that keeps you on your toes, and allows you to have the material ingrained. He's so passionate about each of the topics he teaches, and it shines through. Wishing I wasn't graduating so that I could take all the other courses he teaches!