Professor
Joel Miller
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2019 - This was by far the worst professor I have ever had. He uses slides but they're all pictures he finds online or photos of the places he's traveled to. The required textbook is not in any way helpful. The exams are totally different from the course material. Although I took notes and actually knew the material, the exams ruined us all. As a result, I failed my midterm, but his curve set me at a C. He also curved the final, and I ended up with a B- in the class, but I know that I could've gotten an A. In conclusion, don't take this class with him. Take it with Gillespie. Also, I have the textbook in pdf version for free. Text me if you want it **********
Winter 2019 - This was by far the worst professor I have ever had. He uses slides but they're all pictures he finds online or photos of the places he's traveled to. The required textbook is not in any way helpful. The exams are totally different from the course material. Although I took notes and actually knew the material, the exams ruined us all. As a result, I failed my midterm, but his curve set me at a C. He also curved the final, and I ended up with a B- in the class, but I know that I could've gotten an A. In conclusion, don't take this class with him. Take it with Gillespie. Also, I have the textbook in pdf version for free. Text me if you want it **********
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2018 - Miller has practically no idea what he's talking about. Just being able to follow his train of thought is a feat, let alone taking anything away from this class. He barely explains the essays that you write, and he is not willing to discuss the criteria used to grade or how to improve your score on the next paper.
Fall 2018 - Miller has practically no idea what he's talking about. Just being able to follow his train of thought is a feat, let alone taking anything away from this class. He barely explains the essays that you write, and he is not willing to discuss the criteria used to grade or how to improve your score on the next paper.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2019 - Overall this class was okay. Professor Miller seems to be very knowledgable about Los Angeles and knows a lot about the evolution of this city. However, his lectures are often disengaging and often focuses on architecture or landscape space of certain parts of LA. I was often confused as to what I should be taking notes on, but then he told me that he would rather students listen rather than take notes. My notes were never needed or used during the midterm and final essays, so I would say you don't need to take notes at all. Your grade is based on a midterm paper, a final paper, and 4 workshops that are based on completion and attendance. For the midterm paper, you essentially pick a topic from a provided list to write about for one of the 3 Pico locations he wants you to go to. I chose flora/fauna topic for the Pico Urban site. He does not provide much direction other than what is instructed on the syllabus-- he is definitely more helpful during office hours and can answer any question you have, so I suggest going if you need the assistance. I also believe going to OH benefits your grade if you're borderline. The final is almost identical to the midterm in terms of expectations, but instead, you choose your own topic and location you want to research on. I basically recapitulated my midterm topic but applied it to a different plant at a different location. The professor does not grade the assignments because he hires a "reader" to assist, and our reader for the quarter seemed to be an easy grader. As long as you make a statement/argument and support it with mostly primary evidence that all makes sense, you will do well. Go to office hours if you feel like you have no idea how to start or if you don't know what to write about, he will help you.
Winter 2019 - Overall this class was okay. Professor Miller seems to be very knowledgable about Los Angeles and knows a lot about the evolution of this city. However, his lectures are often disengaging and often focuses on architecture or landscape space of certain parts of LA. I was often confused as to what I should be taking notes on, but then he told me that he would rather students listen rather than take notes. My notes were never needed or used during the midterm and final essays, so I would say you don't need to take notes at all. Your grade is based on a midterm paper, a final paper, and 4 workshops that are based on completion and attendance. For the midterm paper, you essentially pick a topic from a provided list to write about for one of the 3 Pico locations he wants you to go to. I chose flora/fauna topic for the Pico Urban site. He does not provide much direction other than what is instructed on the syllabus-- he is definitely more helpful during office hours and can answer any question you have, so I suggest going if you need the assistance. I also believe going to OH benefits your grade if you're borderline. The final is almost identical to the midterm in terms of expectations, but instead, you choose your own topic and location you want to research on. I basically recapitulated my midterm topic but applied it to a different plant at a different location. The professor does not grade the assignments because he hires a "reader" to assist, and our reader for the quarter seemed to be an easy grader. As long as you make a statement/argument and support it with mostly primary evidence that all makes sense, you will do well. Go to office hours if you feel like you have no idea how to start or if you don't know what to write about, he will help you.
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