Grade Distribution:
Attendance and Participation: 30%
Weekly Quizzes: 20%
Response Papers: 25%
Final Paper: 20%
Co-Curricular Event: 05%
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Overall, the Islam cluster is probably one of the more easier clusters at UCLA. There are no exams and only papers. This class has three lecturers: Yarbrough, Chism, and Metzger. While Yarbrough and Metzger are pretty good lecturers, Chism's lectures tend to just be rambles and aren't useful for the class. Attendance and participation makes up a big part of your grade and there are 4 pop-writes in the class. However, you can miss one of those pop-writes so it is pretty manageable. The quizzes for the first quarter were pretty easy and if you do the readings the answers should be very obvious. There are 3 out of 4 response papers you need to write throughout the quarter, but they are only about two pages long and if you tie it back to one of Islam's central pillars you should be fine. For the final paper they structure it very well so the TA (choose Brooke Baker if available) has a lot of time and opportunities to give you feedback on the formation of your essay. Before submitting the final draft you have to submit assignments relating to the theme you're going to talk about, the articles you're going to use, and your thesis and outline. Personally, I found the paper pretty easy. There is also one outside event you need to go to and write a two page paper about. It's only 5% of your grade but sometimes they offer really fun co-curriculars. Overall, I recommend taking the Global Islam cluster especially if you want your GEs fulfilled. I just wish Chism would become a better lecturer.
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GEs fulfilled by this class:
Fall Quarter - Society/Culture: Social Analysis and Diversity Credit