Don't take this class if you're looking for an easy "A". I heard he only gave out 4 this quarter. This class is based mostly on writing; there are 4 discussion posts on 4 different movies (but he only counts 3 of them in your grade), but they're basically short essays. I got good scores on my posts (they're out of 20 pts), but I had to watch the movies very attentively (some 2 times) and spent more than 2 hours writing them. I don't know why the class changed so much (from the previous evaluations), but there IS a midterm and a final. For the midterm, we had to write 2 essays in 1 hr 15 minutes. The final was an 8 pg research paper. There were two quizzes this quarter; the first one was easy and was just based on film terminology from the Corrigan book... the second was really hard, but only because he told us it was on the reading when it was actually on his lecture notes -_-. Overall, I felt like this class was very unfair, and I didn't really learn much. The class was pretty easygoing because there was only one lecture a week (for only 1 hr 15 min) on Mondays, a movie screening on Wednesday (but most of the movies are online... so you can technically not go to class and just watch it in the convenience of you room), and a 50 min discussion on Friday. That's one of the things I liked about this class, because my schedule was so busy and this class fit perfectly. The movies were also okay... some were boring but some were actually good. I'd say only take this class if you're genuinely interested in German films and are good at writing.

I am a undeclared but interested in German, Film, and History. It seemed like this class would be absolutely perfect for me. I really enjoyed the films we watched in the class. We saw The Great Dictator ***/5, Hangmen Also Die**/5, Cabaret *****/5, The Third Man ****/5, The Big Lift**/5, One Two Three*****/5, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch***/5. Basically there are lectures on Tuesdays and screeenings on Thursdays. You have to post on a discussion board a five paragraph essay every week on the films but it is really easy. They don't need to be high class english essays. What matters is what you have to say about the film and what other people have said. You need to read the course reader which is really good.
Now while all of this is really positive, there is a negative. Proffessor Hewitt's lectures are rather hit or miss. Some people enjoy and understand him while others hate him. If you are the type of person that enjoys cut and paste lectures that you can take good notes on don't take him as he will drive you crazy. They are very unorganized and he bounces around a lot. But the material that he covers is really fascinating. But if you also like to have it clear what you will be tested on don't take this. There is no final for this class, but there are four quizzes and a final paper that requires a lot of time. Overrall I would recomment this class for some people and not for others. I enjoyed it because i can learn things well on my own and I enjoyed the material. Plus it does help a lot if you have a knowledge ahead of time regarding say WWII and Reconstruction. Plus the class also deals alot with film terminology etc so it is useful for movies in general adn good for film buffs liek myself.

i went into this class not knowing anything about film or germany. but i feel like i know so much more random information. his lectures are so great. he has a british accent with a lisp, so that basically can make any lecture interesting. the movie you watch for this class are pretty good too. i would never have sen them on my own time, but they aren't the regular boring type. there's not much work to do for the class either. basically there is a paper, a couple quizes and posting on movies. the postings you need to stay on top of, because there is not set deadline for each, they are all due at the end of the quarter. we didn't have a final because the prof didn't like the idea of a final. so that was cool. the ta does most of the grading, and he is pretty generous and lenient. there were a lot of As in that class. interestign ge, not somethign most peopel woudl think to take, but wll worth it!

Professor Hewitt is one of the most interesting people I have met in my life. His lectures are very interesting, intertwining film and German history, and almost always adding some sexual element into the discussion. His sense of humor is great too, and he is by no means strict. The three quizzes are a piece of cake. Just remember main points and themes about the film and how to write a standard five paragraph essay. No midterm or final. There is a final paper however, and I procrastinated until the very end to do it. Honestly, it's the worst paper I have ever written in my life, but I guess that had no bearing as I wound up with an A in the class.
TAKE THIS CLASS!

Professor Hewitt is one of the best at UCLA. He was also my very first professor on my very first day of class at UCLA- so he shall be pretty memorable.

He equips humor into every lecture and has realistic expectations of students. Do not worry about writing down every single detail of his lectures, just know the main points and enjoy the lecture for what it is- interesting information.

Hollywood and Germany is an AWESOME GE class. Get this, there is no final or midterm! Come exam time, you'll be loving this. There are three quizzes (all short essays), one research paper, and 5 500+ word postings. Just do your very best! Make sure to use film terminology and do not just give plot summary or typical literary analysis. Don't worry- you'll learn all the terms from the Corrigan book (it's a TINY book with Lord of the Rings on the front) AND it's kinda fun to talk about editing/camera angles. I got an A in this class and would recommend it to all my friends! Take it!

He's great guys. Need to get a GE done, definitely take this class. You're watching pretty cool movies while doing very little work. For the most part, the stuff he lectures about isn't even tested. So you can come in and just listen to him talk about the movies you've just watched, and be entertained. He's great, check it out. It's worth it.

Prof Hewitt is the cutest lil guy! His class is extremely interesting and he is fun to listen to. He is so funny and comes up with some of the funniest analogies. I really enjoyed his class. It isn't that hard, but you do need to do the five online postings and study for the quizzes. There is also a paper to write but its only one paper for the entire quarter! I completely recommend taking this class.

Professor Hewitt, by far, is the best Professor I've ever taken here at UCLA. His lectures are very entertaining. He's so witty and intelligent. However, he makes the material more extravagant then it has to be, so because of this I've learned more than I really have to for the course. German 57 is not just about Germany, but other countries and their cultures. He sort of teaches a way of live and sociability. Overall, he's just great with a wonderful sense of humor. Ulli, my TA, will fantastic as well.