Wack is unclear and spends too much time going off on tangents and trying to be funny, then glances over the important material. HOWEVER there is some value to this course and it was pretty easy. Didn't buy the required textbook, but did read things he specified before exams. Study hard for the exams so you don't have to try so hard on assignments
AMAZING PROFESSOR. class is an easy A, and the material taught is so interesting. Wack is a hilarious dude and makes the 3 hr lecture go by quickly. Flexible grading, HUGE curve, and the projects are straightforward. The midterm and final are 80% recycled from previous years (he has previous tests on GS). One problem is lecture slides can be confus
3hr lectures are just too long. Beg Wack to post the tests from the year before. He uses 80% of the same questions. The other 20% will be impossible material from the readings. Study lists, he loves testing on lists. But he says no one ever fails his class. Don't take the projects too seriously, you will most likely get an A.
Professor Wack was a great teacher! Super nice and funny guy. ES 183 was a super chill class - lots of fun movie watching. Recommend it!
Absolutely love Professor Wack. I've taken 135A, 135B, and now in 183 with him. Going to class and paying attention is key, as he drops a lot of hints as to what could be on the test. A basic understanding of the readings is also important. He is comical and extremely entertaining, I highly recommend taking one of his classes!
most confusing prof i've ever had. doesn't use his own slides, so he skips through half his presentation. very funny in front of class, but VERY condescending 1 on 1. he also has almost nonexistent office hours. not willing to help & i had NO idea how to study for his tests. he doesn't use a set grading scale so you have no idea what your grade is
Professor Wack is the man. Really chill and funny professor who doesn't bother making students memorize random, useless stuff. Highly recommend him for any class.
Prof. Wack is seriously the best professor at UCSB. I'm not an ES major but this class was really insightful and mostly project based, which was really nice. He cares more that the students understand the concepts and doesn't make you memorize random facts. He makes sure that basically as long as you do the work you pass. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
great class. didn't care about environment at all before the class, but now I do. Fairly simple tests but make sure to study Catton well.
Prof Wack is the man
One of the best classes I have taken. You learn so much and not even notice. I recommend taking a class with him just because it is Paul Wack. Great stories/jokes. Teaches straight forward (if he doesn't talk about it, it won't be on the test). For the readings just skim for main topics. If a spot is open, join the class.
WACK'S THE BEST! If you want to do well on the tests go to office hours and make sure you know exactly what's going to be on it. He grades easily. He's enthusiastic and you learn a lot! I absolutely LOVED it! I recommend taking it just to have him as a teacher even if your not interested in the environment. Chances are, after his class, you will be