Prepare for a heavy workload - lots of readings, films, and memorization required. But if you put in the effort, unstuckstudy AI and other study tools can really help you succeed on the tough exams.
Ken was amazing in English 22. English 23 was a bit less engaging for me because of the nature of the material. I also think parts of the lectures were redundant and unnecessary. Classes felt long at times, but I did enjoy the message behind his lectures and think he's a really sweet person.
this class isn't super difficult, but a lot of time needs to be devoted to the course though. both the midterm and final are heavily based on the material learned in lecture (weekly videos, weekly documentaries, readings, and lectures). his lectures are generally flat, but if you dedicate time to the course you'll do well.
Only take this class if you have the time and energy to pay attention to films, lectures, and have a lot of free time to do his boring readings. If you are taking classes that are really time consuming don't take this class unless you are pass no passing it.
Ken was a cool person but a terrible professor. He was not engaging, lecture was monotonous and he just read off students' comments without telling us anything new. Long weekly readings/films for homework. The midterm and final asked obscure, nitpicky questions and were weighed to be the majority of our grade which made a lot of students suffer.
Do not take this for a GE if you are looking for a low-effort class. His lectures were incredibly boring and halfway through all he would do was read other students comments on discussion posts. There are films and readings every week that you have to memorize if you want to pass the class. Most of his class material is completely subjective.
Lectures were extremely boring and difficult to pay attention to (and also mandatory). There were also additional lecture videos we would have to watch outside of class times. Exams are extremely specific which means you have to really pay attention to all the readings, videos, and lectures. Overall just too much work for a GE and not worth it.
Lecture are long and boring and extra lectures online. You better take notes during those lectures, since he will randomly pick statistical information from those lectures for the exam. There is one reading and a documentary discussion. The writing is acceptable, but you need to remember every important point in reading and film to get high score.
Love you Hiltner
this class is NOT and easy GE so don't take if that's what you were hoping for. the class is entirely memorization and his lectures are mandatory even though he makes you watch the video lectures because that's what you need to know for the tests. highly recommend pass/no pass for this class.
Do not take this class if you are looking for an easy GE. His exams are ridiculously hard and the only possible way you can hope to do well is if you take extensive notes on all of the readings, lectures, and films. He says that he wants you to understand the main objective of his assignments, but tests you on random statistics and small details.
made us watch a video of him talking every single lecture rather than him talking irl. If i wanted to watch his videos i would rather watch them at home. forced us to attend too with his iclickers. exams were based on what his comments were after this boring lecture videos, which was even worse.also made us watch biased documentaries.
This was almost entirely memorization! The lectures were so boring. There are so many extra materials and it takes hours to go over it, but the two exams rely on insanely specific details. He preaches accessibility yet attendance is 20% of the class with no permitted absences, and many documentaries had sensitive topics with no warning.
I would only recommend this class if ur going to pass/no pass. homework is easy and class is quite interesting + Hiltner is obv passionate about it. However tests are horribly unfair. A midterm & final are 60% of the grade and he asks super specific obscure questions. Class itself is good but bc of the tests I can't recommend which is sad :(
Weekly readings and films + comments for each of them. No section but you have to watch his online lecture. midterm on the first half of class and the other is for other half of class. Lots of work is required for this class, Iclicker is how lecture attendance is taken. Not sure why our tests are all on paper but this class is for climate crisis.
Ken is an icon. He's super passionate about what he teaches, and honestly made me passionate about his class. English 23 has changed my life. This class is also really straightforward. The only tests are a midterm and final. As long as you do the readings, go to lecture, and watch the films you'll get an A.
Lectures are the same as reading, you dont learn new information in class but uses iClicker. Tests are hard! No clear way to study; he asks specific questions: recount what he said in a particular lecture or an obscure statistic. Feels like hes shaming you into to going vegan or to stop flying. Fine GE not much work If you can avoid ken, I would
This professor changed my life. I grew so much as a person from taking this course and I am so grateful for it. Easily the most important class I have taken here. I would highly recommend 23 as this is where you get all the info on the climate crisis and it really isn't much work. English 24 was reading heavy. TAKE HIS HONORS SECTION its amazing.
Just watched videos in lecture. As long as you do your work and go to class, you will be fine.
Ken was such an inspirational professor with such genuine lectures! His classes were set up well and beyond informative. All around, left me so aware of the environmental impact I had, and even inspired me to go vegan. This is an incredible course at UCSB, and additionally, it is super easy to pass!
You can tell that Professor Hiltner is very passionate about the course topic and material, and I personally learned a lot of new things from this course surrounding the climate crisis. However, his tests are very specific from the weekly videos and readings you must comment on and do so I highly suggest preparing well as I found them a bit hard.
Ken cares a lot about his lectures and helping people learn about the climate crisis. I changed a lot in my own life because of this class. However, while I felt I learned a lot (attended all lectures, read + watched everything) I didn't do so well on the exams. Study for these HARD and WELL. Questions are very specific.
1 midterm/final: both mc, in person; take notes, Qs very specific. Weekly YT comments (easy af). iclicker mandatory. Content is interesting and inspiring. Encouraged me to change some of my habits + appreciate the environment. Hate to give mid rating bc as a person Ken is great, but the lecture/test content + format so unideal and stressful.
a LOT of reading, tests are hard if you didn't read and watch all the stuff so take notes and pay attention if u want an A. the documentaries that he provides are actually interesting and everyone should watch them because the climate crisis is real.