CORTIJO A
155A - Love & Desire - Best Spanish Class and Best Spanish Prof I took at UCSB, and I am a senior. I loved Profe Cortijo's lectures, so engaging, you actually wanted to participate. The material was unique, fun, and impactful. I can't recommend this class enough!
I took SPAN 131 Golden Age Poetry. Cortijo is the best lecturer ever. He scribbles jiberish all over the board and discusses the most obscure topics but he somehow makes it all make sense. Readings and attendance aren't mandatory but you'll want to go to class. Two 2-page papers and one 8 page final paper.
Cortijo is super lenient and and a decently easy grader. You don't have to do any of the readings but it helps to go and write down word for word what he says in lecture and use all of this in your essays. We were required to do 2 or 3 2 page literature reviews which were no big deal and 2 essays that were our "midterms." Overall super easy class
This course was very easy and straight forward. 5 short papers are the only homework, midterms and final. He lays everything out for you and doesn't care whether you come to class or not. Lectures are very interesting and engaging. Would recommend no matter what level your Spanish is at.
First course I've take with Professor OcaƱa. His class is based on 2 literature reviews and 3 papers (midterm, final, and "quiz"). There is no structure or organization in his class and assignments can be turned in whenever as long as it's before the end of the quarter. The 3 prompts are straight forward as he basically gives u all the info.
You know what to expect and he's very clear as to what he wants. He won't trick you. I've taken 2 of his classes and plan on taking more because he doesn't expect me to be a genius, he just expects me to come to class and want to learn. Sometimes he's rude or condescending, but that's if he doesn't like what he's teaching.
(also 137A) extremely boring with an unorganized lecture. paces back and forth with continuous babble. no outlines, ppts, etc. Got B+'s so not the worst, doesnt care when you turn in asgmnts or attendance but I will NEVER take him again. The "freedom" in his class doesnt replace the tedious amount of work. Is published and def knows what he teaches
He wants to give you a good grade, show up and take notes and you will do well
I am enrolled in one of his classes currently for the 3rd time in a row--it's even an 8 am and I would NEVER take an 8 am for any other reason. THIS PROFESOR IS AWESOME. He doesn't care if you attend his lectures, and as long as you turn in your work before the end of the quarter you get full credit. Laid back and RARE for UCSB. I got A's easily.
i have taken 3 classes with him. Hes very chill but has boring lectures. all notes are very important because his quizzes midterm and final are based on them. you can always look up information on line before sincehe gives you the questions. very easy class,open notes and discussion for tests. late work accepted +full grade
this professor is not tough at all, but is a little boring. same thing every day, he just lectures, but he gives u the questions for his quizzes before hand and he is NOT hard grader like some people say, just talk about what he lectured and his quizzes are open notes, open neighbors:P plus u dnt have to do the reading he assings, which is alot.
This guy is pretty funny and easy to understand. However, he makes the class to seem easier than it is. For the midterms, it's open-note, and you can talk. Literally, he walked out of the room to take a phone call. His grading is HARD though. Dont take the class if you're aren't fluent in writing.