I really enjoyed this class and found that it does not have a particularly heavy workload, aside from the weekly readings, however, it is a philosophy/theory class so that's to be expected. The lectures were not particularly engaging, but the material was interesting and not too hard to follow. This class is very writing-based, so if you know how to write a great essay, you'll likely do well. The class consists of weekly reflections based on the readings, and three short essays (~4 pages). From what I could tell, a lot of essays were in the B range, with a good amount of A's and some C's; so it comes down to your writing. Office hours are a must to make sure your essays and concepts are on the right track, and Dr. Barker is very eager to help! Overall, I enjoyed the class and found the workload to be very manageable with a busy schedule!

Barker is a very good professor, he was very clear from the beginning of the quarter with how his class is structured. He is very well organized and he is good at emailing students back. His discussion hours are optional and it allows students to talk with the professor over any questions they may have on the readings or lectures.
There is a good amount of reading involved, but it is manageable. The professor also uses slides and I also recommend you participate or at least attend a couple of his discussion hours to make yourself standout. I personally feel that it was helped me with my essays.
This was a COVID quarter so there were no pop quizzes, just weekly reflections we had to write between 400-500 words as a personal relfection. (he always gives full credit) and 3 essays throughout the quarter.
I would definitely take him again.

Professor Barker’s class is not an easy A, but sometimes it’s good to have a class that gives you a challenge. The class consisted of 3 (3-4 page) essays and quizzes. Attendance matters because the quizzes are not announced ahead of time, but the quizzes are easy if you do the readings, also the quizzes are open book and he drops your lowest grade (quizzes matter because it’s 25% of your grade). Al you need to do is take notes on the reading and listen in class, and that will help you with the essays. The essay prompts were interesting too, he gives you 3 to choose from and he grades them fairly. I enjoyed this class because it made me critically think, and he overall is super helpful when it comes to the essays and helps clarifies questions. He also encourages discussion within the class too. Overall, I’d take his class again but just be aware that you have to actually show effort when it comes to the assignments.

When I took this class it was Barker's first lecture at UCLA. Barker himself is clearly very intelligent, so intelligent that I found his lectures for the most part very difficult to follow, especially because he just reads off his notes and doesn't use slides or anything of the like. There was no midterm or final, just 3 essays that he graded pretty fairly, and pop quizzes every week on the reading so you can't get away with not doing the reading or skipping class. The quizzes were what lowered my grade, but as long as you do the reading or at least read spark notes on the books that have them the quizzes aren't that bad. If I took this class again it would be just to retake those quizzes, however his lecturing style really isn't my thing. Political theory is difficult enough without droning and monotone.