Review posted on Sun 22 Nov 2009
Course(s) Taken: English: M104A

He is what you would expect from a college professor: knowledgeable, passionate, demanding, trying. His lectures encompass the historical data as well as the analysis of the texts themselves. Your grade is based on midterm, final, essay, and section participation. I have to say, the midterm is kind of grueling: identify 6 passages and write 1 & 1/2 pages analysis and close reading on them with a thesis statement supporting your close reading. He is really hard when it comes to grading though, with all honesty. My TA was from Stanford, like he is, and she was on his level so I was technically prepared for it but some other people, like 3/4 of the class, got burned really bad because they weren't used to his stinging hand and red pen. :D Overall, I think he is a decent, caring, compassionate human being who will listen to you, take questions from you and engage you. But it's not an easy A, I don't know what in UCLA is in the Upper Levels, and you will have to read. :)
Take it if you would like to learn something which you will carry for the rest of your life. I'm glad I did: the books, movies, and thoughts he incorporated in his lectures taught me a lot (not required to buy/watch).

Review posted on Wed 27 May 2009
Course(s) Taken: English: M104A

One of the best professors I've had at UCLA in the three years I've been here. Class is not easy, but worth every penny. No filler material, just intelligent lectures and extremely detailed, helpful (even if you are a competent writer) grading of papers by the professor himself (not midterms/finals, though, those are done by the TA). Rare for a class of that size. I'm not an AA studies or an English major, and I loved this class, even though it was stressful at times.

On an aside...To the person below me who said "when I registered for this class, I was under the impression that it was called the "American Political Novel" NOT the "African-american concerns course...Out of 7 books assigned, 5 of them had to do with slavery and/or the civil rights movement. There is so much more that could have been covered but was overlooked by Yarbrough's interest in African-american history"

...I didn't take the same class you did, but isn't the American political novel focused on literature written around/about American political movements? How are the history of slavery and the civil rights movement in this country not specifically American political issues/movements? They are American concerns as well as African-American concerns. Maybe even basic human concerns, if you want to go there. It feels like you are implying that "African American (political) Concerns" are somehow not valid enough to be the focus of "The American Political Novel". Why not? I understand the concern that the class was mainly focused in one area, but, really, you should have looked up the professor before adding the course, figured out he was a prof in the AA studies department, put two and two together, and realized that his expertise and focus for the course was probably going to be in that area. After all, it's only a 10-week quarter...if they try to cram too many subjects in, every class would end up being a GE survey course. Then I might really have to drop out.

Review posted on Tue 31 Mar 2009
Course(s) Taken: English: M104A

An effective teacher, and a very good lecturer. His lectures are very clear and will give you all the important points from the readings. It's not an easy A though, you have to keep up with the readings (there's a lot), and attend every lecture and take good notes. I recommend him

Review posted on Tue 17 Jun 2008
Course(s) Taken: 109

I agree with the poster below me...this class was supposed to be about the American Political Novel, not mainly about the civil rights movement. That said, the books he chose were good books, and he had a lot to say about them. Drones on a little too much sometimes, but generally interesting. I liked how he didn't bother to be politically correct - he said it like it was. Make sure to speak to him before the tests to figure out exactly what he wants - he neglects to mention this in class.

Review posted on Tue 20 Jun 2006
Course(s) Taken: eng m104a

YARBOROUGH is one of the two best professors i have taken during my college career. his lectures are intense and are impossible to miss. he treats students fairly and his TA are good graders.

Review posted on Wed 06 Apr 2005
Course(s) Taken: 104A

Yarborough is the coolest, most inteligent proffesor I've had so far at UCLA. Lectures are not only stimulating and interesting, but Yarborough spits the truth. Not always objective, but his passion is what makes him such a brilliant teacher. As far as grades are concerns, straightforward and easy midterm and final which is graded by a TA. Reading Selections are awesome.

Review posted on Thu 29 Jul 2004
Course(s) Taken: 109

I really liked Prof yarborough on a personal basis. However, when I registered for this class, I was under the impression that it was called the "American Political Novel" NOT the "African-american concerns course"...Out of 7 books assigned, 5 of them had to do with slavery and/or the civil rights movement. There is so much more that could have been covered but was overlooked by Yarbrough's interest in African-american history.

Review posted on Mon 28 Jun 2004
Course(s) Taken: M104A

Wow, Yarborough knows exactly what he's talking about. He's definitely one of my favorite professors in the English department. I learned a great deal from this man in Early Afro American Literature. If I could, I'd definitely love to take his Harlem Renaissance class (Winter 2005) because he's just so knowledgable and does NOT bore his class at all.

He tells you exactly how his midterm/final format will be, so there aren't any surprises if you did the reading. He has a TA grade the midterm/final, but he'll grade the term paper. Just be very very specific about the answers you give on the midterm/final, because the TA will take points off of the smallest things.

The final grade is based on a midterm, paper, final--so just go to lecture, take good notes (which isn't hard, since Yarborough is full of crucial information for the literature), and talk to him about your paper.

My one and only complaint would be that he wasn't very specific as to how he wanted the paper to be written. Talk to him about this, if you get a chance, and you'll probably have a better chance at getting the grade you want.

Overall, an awesome professor who really knows his stuff. Definitely a professor worth having at least once.

Review posted on Sun 27 Jun 2004
Course(s) Taken: M104a

Let's say you're majoring in English, American Literature or Afro-American Studies. Let's say you graduate from UCLA and you didn't get a chance to take a class from Richard Yarborough.

That means you'll have missed taking a class with one of the most dynamic professors in the country.

Your loss, I guess.

Review posted on Wed 14 Apr 2004
Course(s) Taken: M104A

What else need be said but this guy's got it. The English department at UCLA has an outstanding faculty that concentrates on teaching over research and Yarborough embodies that philosophy. What you've read below was my experience as well--great communicator, clear on his expectations, available to talk inside and outside of class... in sports, you hear about players who "can do it all." As a professor, Yarborough is excellent in every respect.