I took this class because it fulfilled a GE and the Writing II requirement. This was one of my favorite classes omg please take this class!! However, if you do not have a strong religious background, this class might be a little bit more difficult. Despite the class being online, Professor Smoak was a super understanding and engaging professor. Would definitely take another class with him!

Despite it being widely out of the scope of my major here at UCLA, I think AN N E 12W with Professor Smoak has been my favorite class so far. Smoak gives very engaging lecture that is well-structured, thought-provoking, and pertinent to the course material. I've enjoyed every minute of class.

There is a weekly one-page writing assignment, as well as two papers and two tests to make up your grade. The tests are not overly difficult and are structured around what is covered in lecture + the weekly reading. The two larger papers are about interesting topics and Prof. Smoak goes out of his way to assist students with anything in the class. The course also satisfies a GE, Writing II, and the diversity requirement for at least the school of music.

Awesome class! Professor Smoak is a great lecturer and he is always willing to help students. The essays were a bit demanding but I mean this class does satisfy the Writing 2 requirement (as well as another GE). If you are just a little bit curious about religion, you would love this class! I think I'm going to get a minor in Religion or something because of how interesting I found the course material.
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Professor Smoak is fantastic! He's truly a master lecturer in my book. He brings up some of the most interesting themes and intersections of religion, sacred space, and history. To be clear this class is 12W, not 10W, they are different. The former has 20 people and the latter is 150 people, but the material is exactly the same. I've heard that TA's are harsh graders, but Professor Smoak I think was super lenient and understanding. I loved talking to him after class and receiving extremely thorough and thoughtful answers to my questions. If you think religious history is interesting this is the class for you.