Similar to the other reviews, I also feel that this class is little about learning culture and society (which I was really excited to learn about) and more about professor Appel's ranting and life recap. I could not even count how many times she tried to incorporate her own opinions as facts in the class, and this often made students feel uncomfortable. She also, during the strike, was extremely upset at how UC regents were handling things and sided with the TAs -- yet didn't help grade any work and one of the TAs (Sarah) had to come back unwillingly since she could no longer strike. Appel made her grade all of the essays and now all of our final essays from her students. In addition, our grades are NR (not ready) in myucla since grades were past due.
I feel that a lot of times Professor Appel talk like she was there to support students and TAs, but her actions differed from her words in many instances. Additionally, she would cold call people in the class (which wasn't fair since I always got cold called, which I am pretty sure is because I sat towards the back). She also didn't record lectures despite always advocating for inclusivity, and as someone with physical disability I couldn't always attend class -- when I asked her if it was possible lectures could be recorded in class one time, she replied that if I need, I could get notes from a friend rather than simply just bruincasting.

just wanted to reiterate the other reviews because they are spot on: Appel just yaps about her own opinions...at least that's what i noticed bc i stopped going to class after week 3. i honestly don't really know how much this course even applies to globalization other than the marxist factor of all her lectures. when i did go to class, she stated everything as fact, and was honestly so pretentious when she lectured. like pretending to be an activist and anti-ablest while refusing to record your lectures made it so obvious that she just got off on the captive audience listening to her yap about pretty much nothing. the bar is lowkey so low for the students though-- did not do a single reading, skipped lecture, but am ending with an A

This felt like 10 weeks of Prof. Appel's opinions on everything without any substantiations. I felt that the course had little direction or focus. Lectures were honestly not necessary even though it's technically a lecture-driven course. Regardless, the course is extremely easy and requires little effort to get an A but I would not take this again.

If you want to be indoctrinated with racist opinions and left-wing propaganda, I recommend you take this course. From day 1, professor Appel enforces her own opinions on the entire class, cold calls people, and if you do not agree with her opinions, you are publicly shamed in front of a 150 person lecture hall. She is full of BS, and does not back up her "statements of fact" with any substantial evidence. I must say, this class is very easy to get an A in if you can yap on a paper. Taking this class makes me wish I could have any minor that is not global studies. It is a last ditch effort by UCLA to indoctrinate.

The readings are "mandatory" but you honestly just skim them for the papers and be ok. There is no midterm and final, just 3 papers for the entire course. I have not shown up to class once since week 3, (I simply could not take any more opinions from the professor) and have an A in the class. It is an easy A, but at what cost to your education and sanity?

Took this class during my first quarter as an IDS major, but 100% recommend to anyone as a GE!!!! I was skeptical of the 8am time, but I genuinely wanted to go to Professor Appel's lectures. It feels like I was listening to a TED Talk, so engaging!! The midterm was an in person exam, but you were allowed a cheat sheet. The final was just a project, so super easy!

You should take this class! Hannah is an amazing professor. She is engaging, and she cares about your learning. My TA Bethel was extremely helpful with concepts I did not understand and she would always take the time to explain things in discussion sections. The first midterm was all written responses with an extra credit response. You have to use a cheat sheet, and she prepares you for the midterm. The second midterm is a group project which is a prerecorded video. That assignment was pretty straightforward as long as you keep track of your group members and their assignments. The final was a paper with a choice between two topics. I ended with 100% in the class. She also allows you to have a late pass on either of the two midterms or the final paper. This class was informative and applicable to the real world and I highly recommend you take it.

Hannah is an amazing professor. I had her in the fall quarter and she is so engaging making this class worthwhile. The first midterm was all written work and there were extra credit opportunities. She tells you everything you need to know beforehand and thoroughly prepares you for this course. The second midterm was a group project video assignment explained in great detail. The final exam was a paper and had two options (you can either reflect on what you learned or relate a topic we learned in class to a personal experience). I ended this class with 100%, I absolutely loved the content, the tests were easy to understand and furthered my learning and both Hannah and Bethel, my TA were extremely helpful when you are confused. You should take this class you not only learn more about the world but you also can do well !!!

Professor Appel's lectures made my forced 8am class so worth it!!! She started every class w/ a video/example from pop culture, and makes her lectures very engaging and easy to follow overall. Most organized professor I've ever had.

The readings were very interesting, sometimes long but it was worth it. I went to her office hours once late in the quarter and she still made me feel so welcome on an academic and personal level.

She allowed a short "cheat sheet" for the written response midterm, and the final was a take-home essay. Would totally recommend if you're interested in international relations, poverty, etc, or just need a GE credit.

This class was so amazing! I recommend it to everybody because it is such an easy but interesting class. Professor Appel is truly an amazing professor, she managed to keep many people engaged in an 8am with her passionate and almost TEDTalk-like expression. This was by far my favorite class of the quarter because of how engaging and doable it was. If you are looking for an easy GE, this is the one! You definitely learn a lot though. It's a great intro class that covers a combination of history, politics, and economics and it's very insightful! Also if you get Bethel as your TA you're in luck because she is awesome.

This is my favorite class I have ever taken. Prof Appel is everything to me!! Took this at 8am and she still managed to keep my attention the entire time. This class was insanely interesting and really opened up my perspective. Very easy to follow, easy A as there’s 2 midterms and a final reflection paper that are all graded very generously. Just one book that you read a chapter or two of each week that is very user friendly and I would recommend everyone reads because it was so fascinating. 10/10 take this class!