MJ is the BESTTTT!!!!!! I highly recommend taking him if you can! He was funny in every lecture, interesting, fun, and helpful. He really made you feel good about not only your work, but as well yourself as a whole. He is more than a professor and is willing to help you in anything, inside or outside of class. I will forever remember him and am confident in labeling him as my favorite professor during my UCLA journey. His unique and funny stories are the best! I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to be in his class, even if it was virtual.

A true ANGEL to have as a professor. He truly cares about us students and wants us to succeed. He is very understanding when it comes to not being able to attend class, having cameras off, late work, etc. Class consists of 3 easy essays(of which he gives us wayyyy more than enough time to finish), 1 small group presentation where you and your group come up with discussion questions based on a reading, and participation. As for participation, he encourages people to speak up and make any small comments, but not in a stubborn way. Every once in a while he put us into breakout rooms to get to know each other through small activities like writing a paragraph or practicing source citing which would be used for participation or extra credit. He is a very generous grader and always gives you feedback on what you’ve done great and what could use some improvement. Overall an AMAZING instructor, he openly talked about himself and always tried to make us laugh, he truly made his lectures feel like a safe space. If I could take him again I would do it in a heartbeat, I 100% recommend him :)

This class was great! Your grade is highly dependent on participation so if you don't like public speaking or being called on this class is not for you. I took it during covid so all of our lectures were on zoom. Most of the class time we spent discussing and analyzing.

MJ is an amazing instructor!!! He genuinely cares about your progress in the class and wants you to succeed. Since I took the class over the summer, there were only 2 essays to write. He encourages students to meet with him and to submit rough drafts to him so that he can give you feedback. Homework consists of reading short stories, and we would review them in class. Participation matters in class, so don't skip the readings. Breakout rooms were mostly used for others to read your essay and to get peer feedback, and it was a great way to meet some classmates. MJ always made class fun and engaging by making jokes. He also creates a welcoming and open space for everyone. He is one of the best instructors I have had, and I highly recommend him for this course.