Professor Cruz was an engaging and overall good lecturer, however, the class environment that she created can be described as "rowdy," perhaps this is less of a criticism towards her but more towards the students. Professor Cruz gives the students too much control and say so over certain class policies like how late assignments, midterm study guides, final retakes, etc are handled. This created an environment where students would openly challenge her and essentially try to get out of doing the work expected of a college course. The certain conversations between the prof and students during lectures made lectures unpleasant to be in, personally. The midterm wasn't super difficult and a retake was offered, the final paper was also a group assignment so that helped alleviate some of the work on a 20-page paper. However, as I am writing this review, one week into the next quarter, grades still aren't posted. So that's also something to watch out for!

Professor Cruz is a really engaging professor and often ties curriculum to her time working at the World Bank. For the Spring 2022 quarter, the class at 2 TAs, Bruce and Julian, who were both extremely helpful with understanding readings and material prior to the two midterms and the final 20 page group project paper. Attendance is not completely mandatory, but she does not record lectures and there may be some days where class work is assigned and can only be completed during that class period. Personally, the two midterms were a bit difficult as it incorporates not only the lectures, but reading as well. Fortunately, there was an extra credit opportunity and I was able to makeup some points through the final group paper.