HIST 142D
American Popular Culture
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour (when scheduled). Recommended requisites: courses 13B, 13C. Designed for juniors/seniors. Survey of American cultural history since 1865, with emphasis on historical development of urban, consumer-oriented American mass culture that enveloped diverse groups of Americans as producers and consumers. Historical development of American popular culture according to changing set of political, economic, and social circumstances. Evolution of national and global framework for mass circulation of popular cultural expressions, as well as arrival of new technologies that enabled that development. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2022 - This class was an enjoyable and insightful overview into American Popular Culture. I gained plenty of valuable insights into areas of APC that I hadn't previously explored, which is saying a lot as an American history nerd. Dr. Avila is a great lecturer who is extremely accommodating to his students. Even during the TA strike (which did impact the class somewhat), he not only demonstrated solidarity with our peers but was able to continue teaching the class in a productive fashion. There are two exams, a midterm (40%) and a final (60%). The midterm consisted of two parts: an ID section and a short essay. I'd say that both tests were fair, but you'll definitely need to study. The reading is manageable if you pace yourself, but if you cram, you'll likely retain little of the concepts and understanding needed to pass this course.
Fall 2022 - This class was an enjoyable and insightful overview into American Popular Culture. I gained plenty of valuable insights into areas of APC that I hadn't previously explored, which is saying a lot as an American history nerd. Dr. Avila is a great lecturer who is extremely accommodating to his students. Even during the TA strike (which did impact the class somewhat), he not only demonstrated solidarity with our peers but was able to continue teaching the class in a productive fashion. There are two exams, a midterm (40%) and a final (60%). The midterm consisted of two parts: an ID section and a short essay. I'd say that both tests were fair, but you'll definitely need to study. The reading is manageable if you pace yourself, but if you cram, you'll likely retain little of the concepts and understanding needed to pass this course.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - Please disregard any positive reviews about this Professor. If you want to save your grades, do not take this class. Just don’t do it. I don’t know how her grade distribution looks good when in reality you will be crying due to stress. If you want to ask her a question, get ready to be called a moron or yelled at. I honestly think Corey has mental issues. Not only are her lectures unbelievably grim to watch, but they do not help you answer the prompts on the midterm/final. Because it is so unclear as to what tf is actually going on, even if you write a perfect essay, her readers or even Corey herself will nitpick the living day-lights out of your paper. So, if I could save even one person from taking this class, don’t do it. Just don’t.
Winter 2021 - Please disregard any positive reviews about this Professor. If you want to save your grades, do not take this class. Just don’t do it. I don’t know how her grade distribution looks good when in reality you will be crying due to stress. If you want to ask her a question, get ready to be called a moron or yelled at. I honestly think Corey has mental issues. Not only are her lectures unbelievably grim to watch, but they do not help you answer the prompts on the midterm/final. Because it is so unclear as to what tf is actually going on, even if you write a perfect essay, her readers or even Corey herself will nitpick the living day-lights out of your paper. So, if I could save even one person from taking this class, don’t do it. Just don’t.