Professor
Richard Lesure
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2024 - Overall: I would recommend taking this class as a GE! The content was interesting, the tests were manageable, and the papers were simple. Professor Lesure is a cool dude that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to throughout the quarter. GRADE BREAKDOWN: - Midterm: 20% - Final: 35% - Reading Paper 1: 10% - Reading Paper 2: 10% - Sections: 25% Review: This class goes over a basic understanding of long-term changes in human societies through the rise of cities and empires, looks at prominent archaeological findings that tell stories about human history, and some archaeology techniques and ethical challenges that come with the practice. Professor Lesure posted slides prior to lecture, which were useful for knowing the big topics covered in lecture and pictures of the artifacts/findings (really important to know and recognize some!!!). Attendance was not mandatory and recordings were posted. There is no textbook for this course! Instead, Lesure posts weekly readings along with optional guided reading questions. Although they are not graded, I highly recommend answering the questions thoroughly as both the midterm and final will have some questions be the exact same as the reading guide. Two of the weeks of readings had a required essay due about them. Easy prompts, three pages each, and graded fairly. They essentially just made sure that you read the texts for the week and were prepared to discuss them in section. Sections were mandatory but laidback. My TA was very lax but reviewed the main topics of the lectures/readings for the week! The midterm was moved to online for the circumstances of this quarter. It was 6 open response questions. Lesure provided a study guide prior to the exam that was extremely helpful and narrowed down all the topics so you knew what to expect. Tip for success: write down all you heard in lecture about the key words from the study guide and thoroughly answer the reading response questions. The final was in-person but entirely multiple choice (TA strikes). Lesure also provided a study guide and had a final review lecture that was extremely helpful. As long as you watch the lectures and memorize what he gives you on the study guides, you'll do great. Lesure and the content were highly enjoyable to me and I would take again.
Spring 2024 - Overall: I would recommend taking this class as a GE! The content was interesting, the tests were manageable, and the papers were simple. Professor Lesure is a cool dude that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to throughout the quarter. GRADE BREAKDOWN: - Midterm: 20% - Final: 35% - Reading Paper 1: 10% - Reading Paper 2: 10% - Sections: 25% Review: This class goes over a basic understanding of long-term changes in human societies through the rise of cities and empires, looks at prominent archaeological findings that tell stories about human history, and some archaeology techniques and ethical challenges that come with the practice. Professor Lesure posted slides prior to lecture, which were useful for knowing the big topics covered in lecture and pictures of the artifacts/findings (really important to know and recognize some!!!). Attendance was not mandatory and recordings were posted. There is no textbook for this course! Instead, Lesure posts weekly readings along with optional guided reading questions. Although they are not graded, I highly recommend answering the questions thoroughly as both the midterm and final will have some questions be the exact same as the reading guide. Two of the weeks of readings had a required essay due about them. Easy prompts, three pages each, and graded fairly. They essentially just made sure that you read the texts for the week and were prepared to discuss them in section. Sections were mandatory but laidback. My TA was very lax but reviewed the main topics of the lectures/readings for the week! The midterm was moved to online for the circumstances of this quarter. It was 6 open response questions. Lesure provided a study guide prior to the exam that was extremely helpful and narrowed down all the topics so you knew what to expect. Tip for success: write down all you heard in lecture about the key words from the study guide and thoroughly answer the reading response questions. The final was in-person but entirely multiple choice (TA strikes). Lesure also provided a study guide and had a final review lecture that was extremely helpful. As long as you watch the lectures and memorize what he gives you on the study guides, you'll do great. Lesure and the content were highly enjoyable to me and I would take again.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - Professor Lesure is very friendly, always cracking jokes during lecture. Sometimes his speaking style can be a bit hard to follow during lectures, but he makes efforts so that we understand the readings, which he himself admits can be a bit dense to get through. He holds review sessions where he will go over all the readings, along with a handy list of reading questions for each week. The workload was very manageable. We had a short reading reflection every week (graded on completion), plus a midterm paper and final paper. Attendance is not taken but strongly recommended since we do cover a lot in the lectures that aren't listed in his slides. I found course content really interesting, but I know that archaeology might not be everyone's cup of tea. Even if you don't enjoy the topic, though, this is a chill course with a great professor!
Winter 2024 - Professor Lesure is very friendly, always cracking jokes during lecture. Sometimes his speaking style can be a bit hard to follow during lectures, but he makes efforts so that we understand the readings, which he himself admits can be a bit dense to get through. He holds review sessions where he will go over all the readings, along with a handy list of reading questions for each week. The workload was very manageable. We had a short reading reflection every week (graded on completion), plus a midterm paper and final paper. Attendance is not taken but strongly recommended since we do cover a lot in the lectures that aren't listed in his slides. I found course content really interesting, but I know that archaeology might not be everyone's cup of tea. Even if you don't enjoy the topic, though, this is a chill course with a great professor!
AD
Most Helpful Review
if you are not an antro major it can get somewhat boring (Some Archaeology). grading is based on participation and three out of four (5 pg) papers. papers are all based on articles from your reader. the class only requires one reader and the readings are not too long. Athough his lectures help you to understand the readings, you cannot depend on the lectures for your papers. overall the class is interesting and not too dificult. if you are looking for a class with out too much stress, this is the class for you. oh yea, i almost forgot, he also stresses on plagiarism, he sometimes dedicates an entire session to it.
if you are not an antro major it can get somewhat boring (Some Archaeology). grading is based on participation and three out of four (5 pg) papers. papers are all based on articles from your reader. the class only requires one reader and the readings are not too long. Athough his lectures help you to understand the readings, you cannot depend on the lectures for your papers. overall the class is interesting and not too dificult. if you are looking for a class with out too much stress, this is the class for you. oh yea, i almost forgot, he also stresses on plagiarism, he sometimes dedicates an entire session to it.
Most Helpful Review
I have to disagree with the reviewers here. I had a great seminar style (15 people max) class with him and was constantly impressed by his knowledge. He has a great sense of humor and keeps things interesting. Although, not an all-time fav, dont be scared away from a great professor.
I have to disagree with the reviewers here. I had a great seminar style (15 people max) class with him and was constantly impressed by his knowledge. He has a great sense of humor and keeps things interesting. Although, not an all-time fav, dont be scared away from a great professor.