I was frequently confused. A lot of it was interesting, but 3 hrs of theory w/out slides is bound to be confusing. Prof is passionate and knowledgeable but often goes on tangents (sometimes fun sometimes confusing). I had to work very hard to keep up and ask my TA lots of questions just to understand assignments. Unclear guidelines/expectations.

Its a theory class and yet we're graded as if its a math class. Doesnt provide any sort of support and is super rude to students who ask questions

Both my parents work two jobs to support me and this is what they almost work themselves to death for? How is he allowed to be such a teacher but we get graded so tough? I just finished my paper and now he says it's 9 pages not 8, great. He can't even keep his word.

Genuinely have never felt so dumb in a class until now. Lectures are painfully long, confusing, and frustrating with no slides. We watch a decent amount of films and do lots of readings but hardly discuss how they connect to the course material. Clearly a knowledgeable professor but feels impossible to succeed. Also little/no instructions for hw.

This man was the bane of my existence. 3 hour rambling lectures. Ranting about cultural theory while he's teaching a class about a director. Last minute study guides for midterms and always going over time when showing a film. He also gave us our final essay guidelines about 2 weeks before the final and gave very little help on how to write them

The professor doesn't have any slides and you have to sit through almost 3 hours listening to this guy ramble. He waits until the last second to give you information about something; he didn't email us about the paper until under a week before the due date. Just a simple list of instructions for the paper weeks before would've been more than enough

he has no organization whatsoever, no slides, and no way to reach him outside of class. midterm is unnecessarily hard, and his grading is questionable. i don't mind a tough professor, but i do mind one that can't teach and is being unfair.

I'm taking 155SR. Class times are incredibly long, about 3 hours and they feel almost useless. He rambles, has no slides, and no organization whatsoever. I'll give compliments that he is easy to get ahold of outside of class and the subject is interesting; but, it's very hard to get on board when the professor isn't 100% ready to teach the subject.

My favorite professor! Those talking about disorganized lectures and vague guidelines and due dates are correct; it's a flexible environment that allows you to take agency over the material. He's very passionate, and responsive to enthusiasm, which makes him fun to talk to. Read, listen, do good research and you'll be fine.

I really liked Sarkar and his class, but it definitely is not for everyone. Attending lecture is a must, as the reading and films are usually discussed by him in more depth. I got an A-, pretty much off just listening and taking notes in lecture and I only read about half of the articles he assigned. Go to lecture, take notes, and ask questions.

One of the most disorganized, hard to follow, & totally disconnected professors I have ever had the displeasure of taking. He just talks & talks with no structure whatsoever; you're just expected to know what he's talking about & take verbal notes. He thinks he's "woke" yet disregards making his subjects understandable. Prepare to be lost/confused.

Worst class I've taken at UCSB. Grading is incredibly subjective. Grading consisted of 50% term paper, 25% final, 25% quizzes (all essays). I attended every lecture (3 hours btw) and many of his office hours just for him to give me a low grade on an essay worth 50% of the grade. Do not recommend unless it's required for your major.

Prof Sarkar is one of my favorite professors! If you listen to him and think about what he's saying, you'll have a great experience. I know not everyone was on board with his film picks but imo they were really good, creative, and energetic. His classes are for people who genuinely like learning this stuff, not for people who just want to get by.

Worst class I've taken here. Be prepared to read a lot of long articles and be lost in lecture as he just rambles for 2.5 hours and only speaks about the films or readings for about 10 minutes tops. Your grade is made up of two essays ("quizes"), a final (another essay) and a 10 page paper which has nothing to do with any of the films or readings.

He really knows it all, I mean he's truly a genius. But he's also a know it all, and it bugs me. Maybe I'm just not that much of an intellectual, I like to think I enjoy the simple things in life. Class had interesting bits but ultimately I've come away with the impression that film theorists are a smug and self-satisfied bunch.

He is a pretty good professor. I had him for Indian Cinema but I have talked to others who had him for other classes as well and they say that lecture is really important in all of his classes. I rarely do the readings for Indian Cinema and I did well on his tests because what he goes over in lecture is on the exams.

I didn't like him at first because the lectures can be dry (just talking) but over time I grew to deeply respect and like him. This guy definitely knows the material he teaches and has a passion for it which makes the long lectures much more bearable. Tests are moderately difficult but there is no study guide of any sort so take good notes

theory classes are always hard, but sarkar makes it easier to understand. loves having conversations w/students in and out of class, and his quizzes are BASIC. lectures are almost conversational, and at times it doesnt seem like a film class but it was one of my favorite classes i took in the department. make sure you have a good TA!

Sarkar made otherwise dry and abstract concepts really easy to understand. There's a ton of tough reading to do but he goes over the important ones in lecture page by page so you understand. Lectures are super long and a bit boring but paying attention and taking good notes will help you get an A. Some pop quizzes, a midterm, final, & term paper.

Sarkar was one of the best professors I have had at UCSB!! The course itself can be dry but he makes it so much better. He is hilarious and brilliant. His assignments and grading are fair which is rare to find. Take the class you won't regret it! A couple mini/easy quizzes. One midterm, one final and a term paper on whatever you choose!

He was a brilliant professor, teaching difficult to understand concepts. If you do all the assigned readings and go to class/section the class will be so so rewarding though, because it all comes together in class. He is the most brilliant professor I've had at UCSB for sure. Take the time to appreciate this class, it's an experience.

Best class I've ever taken at UCSB. Different topics and disciplines seemes to finally intersect and make sense when he talked about them. Sarkar is a brilliant thinker, hilarious lecturer, and just and all around charming and lovely person. Give him a chance, and do your reading. You will learn a lot and I promise it will be worth it :)

He is a great teacher. Very smart, kinda hard to follow. Over all if you apply the ideas learned in class, it could help you in your life. Overall not an easy class, but great teacher ....

He has a thick accent, which is hard to understand. What I probably don't like the most is that he teaches on the assumption that everyone can learn foreign Indian terms & names on the spot and already understand Indian culture. Very unfair. What's more is that although we watch films weekly, he doesn't test ANYTHING on the films.