Best instructor I've ever had. He's extremely intelligent, provokes curiosity, and relates to his audience. He wants everyone to take something away from the class, and not just memorize random facts. There is a lot of reading, but they're mostly novels of really good books. UCSB is lucky to have him. He's a true scholar and Spicktacular educator.

Very interesting guy. Scary presence but very nice. Expresses that he wants you to leave having learned something rather than just being lectured. Grades on knowledge, not correctness. Most I have ever learned in a history course. Tells you that you must read everything he assigns but i never read a thing and got an A+ from spark notes. Loved him.

Don't let the no-technology rule scare you away, it's not that bad. Read the books and you'll be fine. Sections help a lot. Majority of what you'll need to know is from the books. Helps if you enjoy history. He has a very inspirational teaching style and wants the best for his students. I loved lectures, and wish I could take more of his classes.

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. Spickard is a fat old man who goes up in a lecture and blabs about how he grew up in the Baptist church. Does not teach anything that's tested and expects you to learn everything on your own through the reading. I am telling you, do not waste your time with this guy.

7 books. section attendance mandatory, said if we missed 3 sections we would fail the class. mandatory movie nights for a grade. the midterm was a handwritten and timed essay with ID questions. Term paper with very little guidance, made it hard to write. TAs arent harsh graders. make sure you have a good understanding of the readings before section

He said he might have covid then proceeded to make us all sit in the closest rows to him.

Dr. Spickard is AMAZING!! One of the best professors on campus, if not the best. He is very understanding of personal situations and strives to help his students in any way he can. He truly cares about each and every one of his students. If you do bad in his class it's because you didn't show up to section. He is very straightforward.

His lectures were completely illogical. Section homework is also very troublesome. It also requires a lot of reading.

I'm not sure what happened to my previous review but I would advise against taking a course taught by Spickard, especially an intro course. His lectures are not on topic and he isn't the nicest person. The class is generally easy.

Spickard was that guy! Opinionated. Honest. Controversial. While funny and inspiring, if Spickard actually expected me to do all the readings he assigned I'd be reading for 2 entire quarters. Be practical and skim the important readings before the midterm and final then there's your A. I'm tryna get a drink with this professor one day -- true icon

Very reading-heavy, but I got by just fine without reading barely anything; relied mostly on prior knowledge of history. If you did well in AP Euro, APUSH, AP World, etc. then you'll do well here. I Pass/Failed the class early because I was worried; nearly aced the entire class by the time I got my grades back. Good writer? You'll be fine.

This course and professor were my most favorite during my first year at UCSB. Although lecture and section is mandatory + a no technology rule, this class changed my life. I came out of this class empowered and open to change many aspects of the world. The material in this course is all beneficial to what we see in today's global issues.