Greg is passionate about the environment and history, and provides insight and information on important environmental issues and politics over the past 200 years. This class, focused on Water Policy, is incredibly important in our time. I feel so fortunate to have been able to take it, especially after enjoying his environmental history class.
This class is graded pretty much entirely on papers. 3 papers, each 1/3 of your grade. I took this during COVID, so we got an extra 4% in the class for doing weekly assignments. He was super understanding and sweet. Truly one of the kindest people. Highly recommend his class.
California History was such an amazing class. It was one of the first upper divs I had taken and it set the bar so high. Graves is very passionate about everything he teaches and is a really kind person. Class was Midterm and Final which were all in-test essays and we were given helpful study guides beforehand. I would 10/10 recommend this class.
Class is easy, and Graves keeps lectures interesting. Readings are pretty optional, as Graves will tell you everything you need to know in class. Grade is based off three essays: 1 on midterm, 2 on the final. If you want an A, GO TO CLASS
Graves is an awesome professor! Had him for env 3 and env 176a. He is really interesting and funny, laid-back professor. Attendance is mandatory since he doesn't post any of the slides. 3 midterms equally weighted, all blue-book form. His grading his fair if you provide enough details and show you actually know the material!
seriously go to class! his lectures are super helpful! he's a rly funny dude and he seems passionate abt the environment. sadly he wont be teaching env 3 anymore but it was a good time.
What a guy, sad he's going to be retiring - meaning this is more of a legacy review than anything. The class was structured into two halves, though the first was definitely more interesting to me. More like a history course than ES as well. TA handled all the grading for our course, so maybe that's a shot in the dark. Otherwise, a fun GE class!
TA has complete control over your grade considering the paper, midterm, final and participation are graded by them. That being said, some TA's are extremely tough graders while others are very generous, making it wildly unfair and inconsistent. Lectures could be more organized but its Graves last quarter, so it will be different next year
Unorganized and unprofessional
Dr. Graves was the man! Loved this class (California History); Graves also taught it really well. 3 papers, all worth 1/3 of your grade (1 on the midterm and 2 on the final). Class was really laid-back but so interesting and intriguing. Graves gives you all the tools you need to do well on the papers. Highly recommend!
Greg Graves is, hands down, the man. Rocking the ultimate sweater vests at every lecture he is a professional in his field through and through. The lectures in all of his classes are well paced, relevant and given at a great pace to be able to absorb and reflect upon the given material. Suggestion: ask him specific questions to get in-depth answers
This class turned out to be like another history class and less about actual ES. Choose your TA wisely because some grade papers, exams, and assignments harshly. Not as amazing of a GE as some reviews make it to be. No notes posted online so you must attend lecture, although he often does let the class out early.
Love his lectures, be ready to take notes. He is very friendly and funny and it's clear he knows his stuff. As long as you're going to class it's an easy pass.
Graves is my favorite professor at UCSB!
Loved Professor Graves. ES3 is such an enlightening class. I don't like history but his lectures are genuinely interesting. Towards the end, there's more material on modern day issues. Your TA grades your midterm/final papers and written exams but the material is easy to understand so as long as you skim the readings and go to lecture you're good!
25% paper, 25% midterm, 25% final, 25% section (debate, map quizzes, participation). Take really detailed notes during lecture and hope you have a good TA! Graves is really passionate about history and is a funny guy. Definitely get Guns, Germs, Steel (really interesting) but you don't need the reader really (it's on course reserves at the library)
While this class was very challenging, Graves has been one of my favourite professors on this campus. His lectures are funny and interesting but it is a lot of work having to write down all the information he says. Section is important to depending on TA. 1 debate in section, 1 paper (6-7 pages), 1 midterm, and 1 final.
Graves is a funny old guy and really passionate about water policy! His lectures are similar to ENV S 3 with IDs and walk-in music. Take really detailed notes during lecture and you'll do fine on the midterms. Your grade is based on 3 midterms (in class essays) only. Don't buy the reader. Cadillac Desert isn't necessary but it does help.
Graves is an awesome prof. He's really quirky & funny. ES176A with him was really manageable. Grading is 3 midterms, each worth 33%. The book is super useful to contextualize info but the reader isn't worth it. The grading is a little subjective though. Getting a B is easy AF but breaking above a 90% is more based on writing quality than content.
Grade consists of one miderm, one paper, one final, and your section grade each being 25%. This class is basically a history class you would take in high school. Really easy material just needa memorize, lecture gets really boring because of Graves voice and lecture style but overall hes a great guy. Pretty much an easy A if you go to section
Graves is easily one of my favorite professors at UCSB. He's hilarious, intelligent, and his lectures are like listening to stories. He adds neat pictures and anecdotes to make things interesting. There are 3 midterms, each worth 33%, and (fairly optional) outside reading. That's it! A great, laid-back professor and class. 10/10 would recommend!
Kinda dorky but charming. His lecture format involves a powerpoint w keywords that he then talks about, which means you better take notes and listen to what he's saying. Guns Germs and Steel is the book for the class. It has some interesting points, but they're repeated and rephrased over and over. Final paper based on interesting reader articles.
The class was just a midterm and a final. 33% midterm. 66% final. He doesn't post slides and the midterm and final are essays. He is really nice. Definitely the type of teacher you ask questions to in class and not through email. Not hard to pass if you show up.
Graves is amazing. Funny, enjoyable, and not too hard. Buy Guns, Germs, and Steel, don't bother with the reader or if you do, split it with a friend. You won't touch it until after the midterm but it's worth having for your paper. 1 MT, 1 final, 1 paper, all essay format