History of Latin American Civilization, Pre-Columbian to 1810 · History
Midterm, Final, Book Report (4-5 pages).
Weekly readings (relatively light) -Portrait (5-10 min presentation and a 3-5 pg. paper on an approved historical figure) 30% -Participation/ Discussion Leading for one class 30% -Final Paper (15 pages) 40% Attendance was mandatory
2 papers, a few discussion posts on the readings, midterm, final exam.
His lectures are bland. Twice a week you meet for what he will surely call at the end of class "a very quick survey" of the topic just discussed. Grading consists of one paper on three separate topics discussed in lecture and/or in readings. It must be handed in before the reading period begins. Not necessary to go to all the lectures. Must go to at least to enough lectures so that you have heard about three entirely separate topics.
He is the man! He is very entertaining, and not terribly demanding. Class notes are a must. Reading is minimal. Prof. Vinson is a great professor and a great guy, very engaging and enthusiastic in class and polite and interesting outside of it. I would highly recommend his class as a great, easy way to fulfill a major cultures requirement.
Avoid. Professor Mann put very little effort or energy into this course. The students were responsible for running every two hour seminar by discussing the readings and leading a class discussion, which was a big portion of your grade.There was very little or no context for the readings, so the discussions often felt painful with half the class tuning out. Overall, this was a missed opportunity as the subject matter is fascinating and I would have welcomed more work if it would have given me a better understanding. Professor Mann could have done a lot more.
I don't care what class she's teaching, take whatever you can with Caterina Pizzigoni. Her passion for the subject, ability to make the subject interesting, and level of attention/care given to her students are absolutely unrivaled. Don't care about Latin America or Spanish/Portuguese history? You will. Have a tough time dealing with accents? So do I, but it wasn't a problem. Don't like reading a lot? Good, because you won't have to in this class (relative to other global cores). Register now, thank me later.
A 15 pg take home final based primarily on the reading.
Weekly readings (heavy) + post a comment about the readings every week; one portrait of a historical figure (4-5 pages) ; one final research paper (about 10 pages)
Super light. The reading for class is primary source documents, usually 1-10 pages (mostly 1 or 2 pages, but some weeks 10). Discussion readings for section are not tested on the exams, so you can skim them or skip them completely depending on if your TA makes you write discussion questions or not. (Technically there's a textbook assignment every week but literally no one does it and it's not necessary at all -- IF you go to lecture.) Usually 2 papers, but this time only 1, which was a book review, and she said almost everyone got As Midterm and final, the final was way easier than the midterm because people struggled on the midterm so she adjusted the final -- more proof that she wants to help people succeed