I'm on track to get an A but this class is very pointless. The only purpose of this class is to indoctrinate students with progressive left-wing ideology. The readings were pretty good but her lectures are almost unbearable. She spares no expense in any of the lectures to bash conservatism and provide surface-level analysis on any of the topics.

Very eye-opening class and would recommend!! Best current events class I have taken. Has changed my outlook on the world and its processes.

Class was okay. Never really interested with her, just with our TAs. Lots of readings and lectures every week, class graded by 3 essays and class participation pretty much. Extra credit offered but I dont think it was worth much. Wouldnt take again tbh :/

Professor O'Connor chose really insightful topics and material to learn throughout the quarter. However, the class was really not too accommodating during the pandemic. There are three essays with really confusing prompts. Lots of reading every week. Mandatory Zoom section. Definitely not my favorite class.

Not much interaction with O'connor herself, only sections once a week with TA. My TA graded very hard but was helpful during section and office hours. Heavyyy reading but lectures aren't too bad on 2x speed. Grade was based on basically 3 essays, participation, and some EC offered. Probably wouldn't recommend remotely.

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!! This is by far the worst class I have ever taken at UCSB. It's so unnecessarily hard (especially for a LOWER DIVISION GE) and caused me MULTIPLE mental break downs. The essay prompts are complicated and confusing and the TAs grade extremely hard. Don't take this class unless you want it to consume every second of your life

This class was definitely my favorite I've taken at UCSB so far, but also probably one of the hardest. A ton of assigned reading each week, but a lot of it you can just skim and O'Connor goes over most of them in lecture. There are three papers, and the midterm and final both include an in-class essay. It's a hard class but you learn so much!

This is one of the best courses Ive ever taken. Im not normally a history person, but this course opened my eyes to how informative and impactful bottom up history can be. O'Connor was very available to meet and willing to help me with more than just course material. She is extremely educated and passionate, making the lectures genuinely exciting.

Professor O'Connor is such an amazing, passionate lecturer! She expects a lot from her students, but she teaches everything you will need to know. This has by far been the best class I've taken her at UCSB. However, I would only say take it if you're interested in the subject because you have to read and write three papers.

This class wasn't the worst but definitely not worth it considering it doesn't fulfill any GE's at all. There were 3 papers (you don't get a writing credit), a ton of reading, and the lectures were really boring in my opinion. The midterm and final are essays and short answers and were both pretty difficult. Also the papers are graded very harshly.

O'Connor clearly knows a bunch about what she teaches, but the class asks a lot of you for one that meets no G.E. requirements. There were at least 60 pages of reading each week, we had 3 papers , a midterm, and a final (both written). Overall, if you're passionate abt the subject, I'd recommend it, but it's not necessarily an easy A.

Professor O'Connor is a passionate lady, who is very knowledgeable in what she teaches. Yet, the class itself was rather complicated. A lot of the info you needed previous knowledge, and she talks as if we are already familiar with many of the concepts. There were 3 papers, a midterm, and final, all of which were extremely broad. Section was useful

Got an A, but still don't get the point of this class. The whole lecture is an echo chamber that keeps resonating intolerance of other opinions and providing single-sided interpretation. Although EVERY professor is politically biased, I've seen professors that deal with their biases in lecture halls with class.

Prof O'Connor is passionate, spunky, and really knows what she's talking about. There is quite a bit of reading for this class (from an expensive reader) and the midterm and final required a TON of writing in a short amount of time. This class isn't super history-y (if that makes any sense) but it's good to know what's going on in current events.

PHENOMENAL class. You will learn so much history behind the world's current state by exploring topics like 9/11, the modern Middle East, the Iraq War, Brexit, Climate change, 2016 election, etc. The reader for this class is addicting - you will WANT to read. Thank you, Professor O'Connor, for showing me the true advantages of studying history.

History 5 is interesting. Each week there is a guest lecturer for various topics, supplemented by a lecture given by Prof O'Connor. Honestly, if you skim the PowerPoints and do ALL of the readings in the reader, you'll have no difficulty getting an A in this class. The guest lecturers vary, so expect to be both inspired and bored.

tough

5 books plus articles and book excerpts online. You won't pass if you don't read! The class was interesting and the material was good. She's nice and lectures well but way too much reading plus a presentation and 3 short essays a midterm and final. I won't take her again.

Such an interesting class. There is a ton of reading, but a lot of it is very helpful. She can seem a little vague, but get the slides and explanation down and it will all come together. Your hand will cramp for the midterm and final. Be specific, she wants you to know who wrote what. There was one group project

I'm surprised at all of the positive reviews. Although the material is pretty interesting she is clearly biased politically, she's a boring lecturer, and the final was pretty difficult (she expected us to write so much in so little time). She definitely isn't the worst professor I've had but I won't take a class from her again.

O'Connor is like a grandma telling stories from the old country; sometimes it can put you to sleep, and sometimes it'll keep you thinking. A somewhat difficult class to take if you're not familiar with the way the UCSB history department works, but worth taking to learn more.

Interesting class - you'll understand how current events were made. 2 short and 1 long essay, 1 midterm & final were both in class essays/ short answers. In order to get an A, you had to read most of the reader and definitely had to attend lectures. Copy what she says, not just slide text. I did more work for this class than for an UD Hist class

Very useful class and good presentation by professor every time. Professor Hough was really helpful too.

Very enthusiastic professor who cares very much about what she is teaching. Class was extremely interesting with guest lecturers and her own lecturers. However, her powerpoint design could use some work. Light yellow text is not good!