Actually took: Sex and Gender cluster M72A, M72B, M72C in 2014-2015 academic year
Dr. Haselton was the previous coordinator of the cluster, but Gildersleeve replaced her when she went to do research. Definitely recommend this cluster! Made me so much more open-minded toward gender/the world and thought it was cool to have such a variety of professors alternating off. Extremely relevant to real life. Mostly girls and queer dudes in the class – come on straight dudes, we need y'all on board too!
Since it's a freshman-geared cluster where you're with the same people for two quarters and then a much smaller low-key 20-person spring seminar, they're big on developing good study skills and are very sensitive to student feedback :)
Professors included on team: Gildersleeve in psychology, Arnold in biology (don't let his lectures get to you, the TA's usually made very good review powerpoints for the mandatory 2-hour discussion section), Haselton (winter only) in psychology, Saguy in sociology, Vilain (interesting character...) in medicine. Each has a distinct personality which students would love or hate across the board. They all influenced my thinking in some way and I wouldn't say I heavily disliked any in particular.
TA: Melissa Fales. Extremely helpful and accessible, a little harsh for essay grading but taught me a lot. Took the cluster herself back in the day! Other TA's on the very diverse TA team aren't too shabby either, though.
The essay topics can get tricky at times to navigate. You may lose most points here. See your TA not just once to discuss, but multiple times.
Spring seminars are fun and super interesting and so much more laid-back (no exams just a final paper and weekly quizzes, if that). I had Dr. Murray for Courtship and the Brain but he's leaving UCLA next year. Absolute shame, he was so chill.
The fall and winter final exams are only 20% of your grade, and only take 2 hours, so that's nice that they're pretty low stakes.
Out of the three quizzes (lowest one is dropped) of the quarter, each question counts as one point of your final grade, so take these seriously just by actually allotting yourself time to study for them.
Did like 2 readings all quarter and still got A's hehe (but they're so interesting. I was working a full-time job and couldn't read, but you all should!). Also, lectures are mandatory so I attended all of them and forged a dope study group. Suggest the same.
