I'm not sure as to why he received such negative feedbacks in the past, because my experience with him was pretty positive overall. During the lectures, he was very easy-going and informative, and the homework assignments were pretty doable and not too challenging.

This is easily the most ridiculous class I have taken. Not only did I learn nothing, but the grading criteria was purely based off of transition words and semicolons. Oh, and he only reads the first two pages of your essay... Lectures are existential rants about problems in his life and I learned nothing about writing. Do not take this class. Awful

tough grader + useless feedback

The worst writing class ive ever taken. This class should not be called writing for social science. I feel like I learned nothing. Also he is a tough grader.

NOT HELPFUL WORST WRITING CLASS EVER DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS

Dude was so in love with himself. Smart guy, but tough grader- which I would be fine with if I felt like I learned a lot. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I recommend other writing UDs if you want to get an easier A.

it seems like the positive ratings he received are extremely outdated and he/his class has gotten progressively worse. This class was a waste time. All you learn/talk about is grammar, ratemyprofessor, and automodernity. This class should not be called "writing for social sciences" I feel like I have learned nothing regarding that subject

You'll may dislike him because of his strange/arrogant negativity, but his cynical humor can be so sad that you wind up feeling sympathetic. He is very self-conscious which makes him endearing, or non-intimidating, which I guess can make students more comfortable. Would get more out of the course if the research was not limited to ratemyprofessor

He just ruined my college life :) He only edited first two pages of my essay and gave useless suggestion. Tough Grader! AVOID HIM!

I've never left a professor review before, but seriously this guy inspired me to (and not in a good way). He is one of the most negative, strange profs I've ever had. He is conceited, disrespectful, and spends 1/2 the class talking about himself and random "star athlete" students he's taught in the past. Tough grader. Not too many papers though.

Taught me more about the real world than any other professor in my experiences at UCSB thus far. Extremely insightful, knowledgable, and hilarious. You'll WANT to come to this class and if you regularly skip, it's truly your loss. He can teach you a lot more than writing if you allow it. Take advantage!!

The prompts for the papers were the hardest I've had in three years of college. They're broad, boring, and hard to tackle which is the opposite of the writing most science majors have to do. Also doesn't help that all the material is on evolutionary psych which only one guy in the class knew anything about. Great teacher though. Easy grader and fun

One of the best classes I've ever taken. Funny dude that really knows how to open his students' minds.

Excellent class

Very funny and smart professor. Down to earth and willing to help students. Class consisted of five essays ranging from 1 page to 8 pages. Participation is key to getting a good grade, but the professor makes it fun to participate

I expected the class to be boring and to be filled with boring social science essays. But he unexpectedly led me to love this class. He's so funny and mostly focused on engaging the students into discussions. Constructive, fun, and eye-opening. I would take another class with him if I could. (:

I stepped into this classroom not looking forward to it because I have heard the course (in general) was unpleasant. Now, I can honestly say Samuels has broadened my view on many things and I will never forget what I have learned here. He is a humorous genius and ridiculously clever. Needless to say, I am very upset that this class is over.

Professor Samuels is not only very thought provoking but, is a very attractive, charming, witty, and extremely intelligent. He has changed by view on society and cultural construct. He is one of the best professors at this school

Best professor I have ever had at UCSB. Lectures were interesting and we watched a lot of movies. He loves to joke around and really cares about his students.

really cool professor, take him if you have to take a writing class; his approach is very different than anything else I've seen at UCSB. Every class is like a discussion, and he shows a good deal of movies, so pretty chill.

AMAZINGGG teacher! So funny and entertaining. He makes you think a lot and makes you realize things about the world and society that you would never think of. It's a trip! Great teacher and class was NEVER boring. I've always hated writing and this class was fun for me. Work load is doable. Take 109SS with Samuels!!!

Writing 109SS (based on media's influence on society). Summer Session A. Dr. Samuels teaches at UCLA during the school yr but at UCSB during the summers. Class is based on a reader with some of his own articles in there. After every major assignment, he meets with everyone individually to give helpful tips. Thoroughly enjoyable class!!!