Book is essential for hw. I spend a lot of time on reading and taking notes but the test is not related. Maybe it is but I don't think like him so never get how he think up questions with the words I know but I have no idea how to apply it. One word, just hard and didn't get a good grade.

My only complaint is that I felt like I spent way more time than necessary on this class. The actual lectures were useless and a way for him to answer usually unhelpful questions submitted by students. The online modules were the actual "lectures" and required an extra few hours per week outside of class. Tests were tough and oddly specific.

I hated this class so much. DO NOT TAKE AS A GE YOU WILL REGRET IT unless you have a strong background in bio. Modules are long, this class will require a large time commitment.

Lectures were such a waste of time, I only went for the iclicker point. He does lectures through pre-recorded videos which are an hour long and painful to watch. During class he just answered questions submited by students. I will admit though the textbook was interesting. Just wish the lectures taught what was in the textbook.

meh

Professor Gaulin is an amazing professor. While I took this as GE, he made the subject matter so fascinating. Attendance is definitely mandatory as you have to answer iClicker questions for participation. Also, very, very important to watch all the modules online before midterms and finals. Overall, slightly challenging class but great experience.

Teaches extremely clearly and is quite humorous. Lectures are online and are called "modules." Class time is spent discussing the material and answering questions from the students, along with doing iclicker questions. Tests are kind of tough. Grade is out of 105, but is counted out of 100. Extra credit is also given.

Gaulin man... this class was tough for a GE. If you aren't that interested in Australopithecus, take ANTH 2. Please. Otherwise, be prepared to watch hours of online lectures to learn the material. It's like learning evolution again on steroids. Oh and iClicker MATTERS.

DO NOT TAKE THIS AS A GE. Be prepared to watch all the modules and read both textbooks to get a good grade. Going to lectures is necessary for iclicker points, otherwise you don't learn anything.

Online modules are the key to doing well in this class. They take about an hour to watch but they explain everything. Lectures are useless but he uses iclicker so you have to go. Tests are hard with questions that you have to really examine to get right. I found the class interesting, i would recommend it with a different teacher.

Since ANTH 5 was my first class at UCSB, I did not know what to expect. Professor Gaulin made everything better, from his insightful viewpoints, to the amount he taught, making the hard class not so bad.

The lectures were really interesting as well as the material. It focuses on human evolution and sexual reproduction. The homework assignments are very helpful because the topics found there will be on the exams and sections are mainly focused on these assignments. I would definitely take this course again.

I took this class last fall and I had a very strong background in biology. If you watch every module and take notes and read every single assigned book chapter and manage to get a few extra credit points through questions and research, there is no reason you should get anything less than a B+ in the class, but I got an A.

Very interesting class but extremely challenging. In order to pass this class, you have to watch every single modules and understand them. He is a great professor, answers all question I bring up. The problem is the class is not curved, and two tests are very tricky. Final replaces midterm grade if you did better, so don't give up too soon.

Overall pretty hard class. Wouldn't recommend it if it's the first time your introduced to BioAnthro. Tests were hard, essays were ok. I enjoyed how he would answer our questions but I wish he would actually have a lecture to present.

A very hard class. You have to watch a module or two which is 45mins each everyday before lecture. Also problem sets are due every week. Lectures are basically a Q&A but there is a lot of i-clicker questions so its mandatory. I did all the work and go to every lecture but still failing the class. Won't recommend.

Lectures are completely useless. Makes you listen to lecture modules online that are 45 minutes long where he talks really slow and really isn't clear on anything. Class would be bearable if he actually lectured during class. Problem sets aren't too bad.

This is a really tough class. It's almost imperative that you keep up with all the modules. Lecture is basically useless and the book is not necessary. Be sure to read the questions closely on tests. Gaulin is tricky but study and it won't be that bad.

Definitely a good guy and a interesting lecturer but the final and midterm seemed to cover little of what was discussed in class or in the book. I really wanted to like this class but the rather esoteric exams really ruined the whole experience for me.

Midterms are difficult, watch the lecture modules! Going to class isn't helpful. Spent the entirety of that class on yik yak. Every. Single. Week.

Things to know:The textbook is ridiculously expensive(he wrote it)and there is no library copy. His midterm and final are very difficult and have little to do with what he actually lectures about. The essay had no agreed upon prompt so grades were very low. Overall don't expect to learn anything and expect it to hurt you GPA. Ridiculous class.

He is incredibly passionate and can answer almost any question that is even just slightly related to the subject matter. I highly suggest you form study groups for this class rather than re-watching modules. This class has made me change my major to Anthropology! I learned immense amounts from this class!

A very passionate professor who knows his subject matter thoroughly. I never read the book, just went to lecture and watched the online lecture modules. The test questions can be misleading so make sure to know what the question is asking before answering.

Gaulin is a very intelligent professor and really stresses overall concepts during the midterm and final. Lecture modules are a must, although you can can get by without reading the book. Gaulin is passionate about what he teaches and really transcends that passion onto students who love the subject. Wonderful class overall, highly recommend.