This class is alright. I think there are better psychology classes out there though. The material wasn't bad. The idea of having your grade based on the final is scary. Just study the lecture notes read when you feel lost and you'll be fine. I got a B.
She seems to love teaching. She was always laughing while lecturing (not too sure at what) There was a bunch of random interesting things discussed but she does tend to read off her notes. You can definitely ace this course without the text everything is in her lecture slides she provides online. There was a long cumulative final but it wasnt hard
I agree 100% with what was said below. She is great, the class is great, her lecture could have been more smooth, but she is insanely brilliant and awesome. Study lecture notes HARD for final*...didn't do any of the readings but knew the notes by heart and got an A.
Very interesting class! Reading is not explicitly tested. It is just to help you understand the concepts. Fair exams. If you go to class, and ask questions/do reading when confused, you should get a good grade. Also, Prof. Cosmides is really nice!! :)
Great Professor. Material was pretty hard to grasp, but if you ask questions she is really helpful, and you don't need to read the books (but they DO really help you know the material). Whole grade is based on a Final, but as long as you attend lectures and understand what shes talking about, it should befine.
I thought she was great! Really passionate about the subject and really nice. If you are interested in the topic, you will probably enjoy this class. Definitely worth taking :)
This class was alright. I think her lectures are confusing. Some of the material was intereting. But honestly I liked all my psych classes except evolution.
Professor Cosmides is very enthusiastic. Yes she wants us to know about her research-UCSB is a center for evolutionary psych and her research, as well as her colleagues, has a huge presence in the evolutionary psych field. Tests were fairly easy, material interesting, and class is a good window into the different domains of evolutionary psych.
She's a very smart person, and a good researcher. However, she is a horrible, incomprehensible lecturer. It is clear that she does not prepare for class, and often times she will end up reading to us from her own textbook...the only benefit of this is that you don't have to do any reading, or really pay attention in class to get an A. Incompeten
she really wants you to know about her resaerch
Ok, she is an amazing researcher and has groundbreaking ideas, but not the best "lecturer", but to be able to hear what she has to teach is neat. The information will amaze you. Class based soley on the final. The book WILL help, but I think you can get an A without reading if you completely understand the lecture and the concepts. Cool overall.
Ok if you are an undergrad at UCSB and you do not take this class, you have failed to complete your education. Best class I've ever taken. Went to every class and left everyday with the feeling of bewilderment and inspiration. Take this class it is AWESOME!!!
Her research is incredbly interesting and inspiring. It made me completely reevaluate my perspective on certain issues- including racism. Granted I periodically attended lecture, this reevaluation of perspective occured largely because of her articles- which are well written and well supported.
She is obviously very intelligent, the lectures are very interesting and since she is a leading researcher she is extremely up to date. She is kind of an awkward lecturer but funny. Grade is based only on the final and the final is only from lecture notes/posted slides, but the readings can be helpful. Possibly the best class I've taken.
Long and sometimes (though rarely) tedious lectures, but an overall great class. Tests are extrememly fair and cover mostly lecture material. Don't really need to do most of the reading. Come to class, study the online lecture notes, and you'll do just fine! Also, the prof is so cute and funny!