Pop Music and Social issues. As long as you take good notes on lectures, study for quizzes, go to sections, you will be fine. Two essays, not hard. I like music of different genres he played. Lectures could be boring for some. Overall a good easy class to take.

The weekly quizzes and assignments were just obnoxious to study and prepare for, but they're easy in itself as long as you're diligent. No final exam, 2 required attended performances, and a final paper. Be prepared to adhere to a due date every week. Still, it was a pretty interesting class and the content was pretty illuminating.

Don't listen to other reviews. Ragheb was amazing! 5 pop quizzes (easy if you do reading), NO FINAL, paper on your own topic, and 40% of grade is 8 weekly assignments that easily get 100% on. He offered up to 6% of extra credit, so take advantage of that. Interesting class, and hands down the best class I have taken at UCSB yet (and it's a GE)!

Very informative class. Professor is very knowledgeable and passionate about the material. It is a work heavy class, but if you're interested in the subject, you'll enjoy the lectures and learn a ton.

Be prepared to do a lot of writing and reading, every week you have assigned listening journals which usually end up being about 3-5 pages. 5 pop quizzes (1-2 questions are from the reading). 2 required concerts (20$ each). No midterm or final, but there is a final paper. Overall, I enjoyed the lectures but I would not take the class again.