HIST 9D
Introduction to Asian Civilizations: History of Middle East
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours. Introduction to history of Muslim world from advent of Islam to present day. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
While Prof Alsatian was definitely knowledgable about the course, it was so disorganized that it was overall a hugely negative experience. The midterm and final were both papers derived entirely from the texts, and the map quiz was incredibly easy. I got an A- with minimal effort. The TAs absolutely make your grade though, so pick wisely and attend discussion sections, because they will offer really helpful advice for the direction the papers should take.
While Prof Alsatian was definitely knowledgable about the course, it was so disorganized that it was overall a hugely negative experience. The midterm and final were both papers derived entirely from the texts, and the map quiz was incredibly easy. I got an A- with minimal effort. The TAs absolutely make your grade though, so pick wisely and attend discussion sections, because they will offer really helpful advice for the direction the papers should take.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2023 - This class was very good as far as GEs go. Professor Gelvin is really knowledgeable and delivers the lectures in a very straightforward manner that I liked. He doesn't use slides so that might be difficult for people who are more visual learners (but he writes uncommon words on the board as he uses them). To succeed in this class, make sure to take very good notes, especially when he starts rattling off lists because it will be really helpful for the final. There a readings for each week, but they pretty much cover the same stuff as the lectures so I would say to do one or the other (I didn't do the readings but I went to almost every lecture and I was fine). But, attendance isn't mandatory so you can get by on not going and just doing the readings. The only assignments in the class are one-page (double spaced) critiques about a reading each week. You then talk about the readings in your discussion. You also have two papers due during each midterm session about a book. As long as you read the book in a timely manner, they aren't too bad. Lastly, the final is a hand-written, in-class essay, but you are given the prompts beforehand. Overall, I would definitely recommend this class as a GE because it isn't took bad, but be warned that it isn't super easy either. You still need to pay attention in class and do well on the papers and exam to get an A.
Fall 2023 - This class was very good as far as GEs go. Professor Gelvin is really knowledgeable and delivers the lectures in a very straightforward manner that I liked. He doesn't use slides so that might be difficult for people who are more visual learners (but he writes uncommon words on the board as he uses them). To succeed in this class, make sure to take very good notes, especially when he starts rattling off lists because it will be really helpful for the final. There a readings for each week, but they pretty much cover the same stuff as the lectures so I would say to do one or the other (I didn't do the readings but I went to almost every lecture and I was fine). But, attendance isn't mandatory so you can get by on not going and just doing the readings. The only assignments in the class are one-page (double spaced) critiques about a reading each week. You then talk about the readings in your discussion. You also have two papers due during each midterm session about a book. As long as you read the book in a timely manner, they aren't too bad. Lastly, the final is a hand-written, in-class essay, but you are given the prompts beforehand. Overall, I would definitely recommend this class as a GE because it isn't took bad, but be warned that it isn't super easy either. You still need to pay attention in class and do well on the papers and exam to get an A.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Everyone has pretty much said everything that needs to be said about Morony and history 9D. Yes, he is by far the worst lecturer to the point where it is insulting that students are expected to go to his lectures. That said, don't go to the lectures. It is honestly a waste of time. The TA's are pretty good. I had Reem Bailony and she was very sweet. It's more than sufficient if you skim the assigned reading. All in all, I didn't learn much from the class but it was by far a very easy A.
Everyone has pretty much said everything that needs to be said about Morony and history 9D. Yes, he is by far the worst lecturer to the point where it is insulting that students are expected to go to his lectures. That said, don't go to the lectures. It is honestly a waste of time. The TA's are pretty good. I had Reem Bailony and she was very sweet. It's more than sufficient if you skim the assigned reading. All in all, I didn't learn much from the class but it was by far a very easy A.
Most Helpful Review
I took this lower div with him and I found his class to be pretty easy. I'm taking Hist 105B with him now and it seems like it'll be just as easy. The midterms in both classes are 20-25 fill in the blank statements. If you copy what he writes on the board, you'll know what to study for the midterm and finals. The final is 2 short answer essays. Both exams aren't cumulative. I went to lecture frequently, and when I didn't, I made sure to get notes from someone just so I know what I missed. I don't know how people passed when they never went to lecture...they must've paid attention to the reading! You don't really have to understand the reading, you can just skim (even if you have to write a half page summary- with the book in hand, it's not hard). He's a cool teacher.
I took this lower div with him and I found his class to be pretty easy. I'm taking Hist 105B with him now and it seems like it'll be just as easy. The midterms in both classes are 20-25 fill in the blank statements. If you copy what he writes on the board, you'll know what to study for the midterm and finals. The final is 2 short answer essays. Both exams aren't cumulative. I went to lecture frequently, and when I didn't, I made sure to get notes from someone just so I know what I missed. I don't know how people passed when they never went to lecture...they must've paid attention to the reading! You don't really have to understand the reading, you can just skim (even if you have to write a half page summary- with the book in hand, it's not hard). He's a cool teacher.
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