This has been one of my favorite courses at UCLA! The class is definitely demanding, with multiple essays/assignments due each week, but if you are up for the challenge, it is so worth it. I truly believe my writing skills have improved over the course of the quarter, if not from his feedback (which, honestly, you don't get that much of), then from the sheer number of essays I wrote. The class is called Travel Writing, and the required readings have to do with travel, but the rest of the class is up for interpretation, which I really enjoyed. The only thing I wrote that falls under the category of traditional travel writing was my 12-page final. I loved the class and Professor Deuel as he was always available for questions and extremely encouraging! The class truly felt like a community, and we all got closer as the quarter progressed. Deuel is a true gem at UCLA.

Travel Writing with Professor Deuel is by far one of my favorite classes I have taken at UCLA. His class has allowed my creative writing ability to grow leaps and bounds from where it used to be. Professor Deuel will encourage you to, in his own words, write with "icy weirdness and firey insanity." This class is not easy. If you want to succeed, be prepared to be vulnerable, not just about where you've traveled and why, but about your innermost thoughts and feelings. Professor Deuel encourages a safe space in the classroom to do so. Through Professor Deuel's tutelage, I have written the best stories I have ever written before, and I have learned so much about myself through the process. You will connect with your classmates through a shared sense of vulnerability and also read great travel writing pieces from accomplished authors for inspiration. Each week you will write a one-page "mini essay," a one-page reading journal, and a page of feedback for selected mini essays, and there are two midterm papers and a final twelve-page paper. Professor Deuel will give you detailed, thoughtful feedback on your writing through class workshops and midterm conferences. This is not a class to miss, especially if you're a writer and want to learn how to truly WRITE. Take this class!

Fav class at UCLA :) Before this class, I kind of hated writing and especially hated writing about myself. But in some strange magical way, this class made me slowly grow more comfortable with my writing. It was probably because we had to crank out a whole essay per week on top of all the readings and reading journals. So yea the workload is pretty tough, but it's worth it if you want to improve yourself. Professor Deuel is extremely helpful, inspiring, and friendly, and you can tell that he really wants to help you grow! Also, he's really funny, so that's a plus lol, I laugh so much in class. The assignments are the same every week: one mini essay, written feedback for a few essays from your peers, 2-3 readings, and a reading journal. We also had 2 midterm essays and 1 final. I learned a lot of general writing tips but also found my own style along the way. I also loved receiving feedback from my peers, they were super super helpful. Def take this class!

This is an exceptional class! If you have time in your course plan I would highly recommend one of Deuel's classes. Or just make time. It'll be very worth it! Your writing improves exponentially, not just from the sheer amount of personal writing that you do each week, but from workshopping other students' essays and published essays, you'll really hone your taste and learn techniques that you want to try yourself. The workload is worth it, and if you remotely like reading and writing you're probably find it pretty fun. The class becomes tight-knit as you read each other's pieces; it's a great opportunity to build community and make class friends! I definitely consider Deuel's classes to be the most impactful of everything I've taken at UCLA.

This was my favorite class at UCLA! Nathan Deuel is the funniest professor ever and he genuinely cares about his students. I would 100% recommend if you have a lighter quarter since there are a good amount of weekly assignments - weekly one page single space essays, feedback for 3-4 of those essays that you'll workshop in class, weekly readings and reading journals, two midterm essays, and a final essay. It kind of seems like a lot but it is all so so helpful. Take this class if you want to learn, not if you want an easy grade. It's so much and you really do grow as a writer. The professor takes time to read everyone's essays and reading journals before class so he really gets to know everyone individually. He brought in a cool guest speaker once and then we had a week where we met with him individually instead of class. Definitely take this class, even if you haven't done much traveling or any traveling at all. I set my grade here to pass because I am sure I'll pass the class but I haven't received my final grade since I am still in the class right now, but I kind of stopped caring about my grade weeks ago. This is the type of professor that you just want to impress so you try really really hard and end up learning so much!