Very organised and interesting lectures. The unit assignments require some reading but they are manageable. The papers are long yet they aren't difficult since they are based on lecture material. The exams are essay tests but he gives a study guide that prepares you well for them. Great and fairly easy GE and I really enjoyed it.

No background in music needed to do well in this class. McBrien is a fantastic lecturer and really tries to be engaging w/ video examples & TA performances. I hate writing, but found the papers to be very manageable. Midterm & final are timed writes but the questions are very expected. Highly recommend if you want an easy and fun GE

Professor McBrien is really understanding and all of his lectures and assignments are super straightforward. Not too many assignments and they're definitely doable. Really easy A if you just show up to lecture and do the assignments. Really interesting and easy GE.

His lectures were pretty boring and there definitely was a lot more reading than I would've liked. However, the class was otherwise pretty easy and straightforward. He was especially accomodating and understanding when it came to restructuring the class because of both COLA and COVID-19

Loved this class! Really easy, fun, and interesting. If you copy down all his notes, and do all the homework, you shouldn't have to study for more than 1 or 2 nights before the exams to get an A.

One of my favorite classes I've taken at UCSB. Super organized with clear grading instructions. As long as you take good notes, you should be fine. TAs were all great in this course too. Explains/outlines info in a really easy to understand manner and the structure of the class was pretty straightforward. Overall great instructor!