Review posted on Thu 24 Dec 2009
Course(s) Taken: Sociology: 110

I'm a bit conflicted over how to rate Zeitlin. Clearly, most students were pretty bitter over the class because when the average in the midterm is a C or D, and there's no curve in the class, you can be pretty worried for your grade. That's prolly why so many students dropped the class. Overall, you have two take-home midterms (together worth 35%), one take-home final (50%), and 10% for discussion. It's really not that difficult, but you have to be very careful with your answers. The professor gives ALL the answers in lecture. Therefore, do yourself a favor, and listen to the lecture podcast when doing the midterms. They help a lot! And also, make sure to read the questions carefully on the midterm, cause often times you put down answers you think the professor wants to see when the question is asking something totally different!

The trouble is, I'm providing a review based on hindsight. Most of the class doesn't do well in the take-home midterms. For our quarter, though, the take-home final was EXACTLY what the two previous midterms were about, which can be a great grade boost considering how much the final is worth.

Zeitlin is pretty considerate, though. He's pretty nice in his office hours, and he reads over your midterm so he can help you understand your mistakes. So I do recommend office hours. Also, the TA is SUPER AWESOME. She's really clear in teaching the material and very understanding. Her pop quizzes are not difficult.

As for lecture, the professor does call on students, and he asks those questions that he's gonna put on the midterm, so pay attention to them! The lectures are always based on the reading, but you can't get by the reading alone. You must go to lecture!

My biggest peeve in the class is hooow slooooow lecture would move. The professor would be on the same subject for an entire hour, just because the class has trouble understanding the simplest concepts. I was annoyed sitting in lecture, wondering why the class is having so much trouble answering simple questions. And Zeitlin doesn't like to move on until SOMEBODY gets it right. Fortunately, he gives two breaks in his long 3-hour class.

Review posted on Wed 18 Feb 2009
Course(s) Taken: Sociology: 110

Zeitlin definitely prepares a unique class. But I loved it. He calls on students in class and he really forces you to think. Make sure you do your readings because he will call you out. This is something which I really like. People were so scared to simply talk in class and I'm glad he forces people out of their shells. How can you function later in life if you can't voice what you've learned? Make sure to pay attention to processes, methods, and ideas he lays out in lecture and you will have the tools to handle the tests. You have to go to lecture, have to. Readings alone will not get you through this class if you're aiming to do well. Its all about analysis, method, and explanation. Explain you conclusions well and you will do great in this class.

Review posted on Tue 06 Jan 2009
Course(s) Taken: Sociology: 110

I feel like I should clear some things up about this professor. First of all, it is true that he loves to interact with his students in class. He calls on people just like in high school and somehow NO ONE ever has the answer that he is looking for. Additionally, if he realizes that you did not know the answer a few times, he remembers you and makes it a goal to harass and embarrass you for the rest of the quarter in front of the class.
I hate talking in class, and I hated him, but I ended up with a B+. How? Here's the good part: he SAYS that there is no curve but there is. I got a B- on the first very tedious exam, a D (!!) on the second one, and I would think that by the kind of work I submitted, I probably got around a B or C on the final. Now, if the class wasn't curved, I should have ended up with a C but instead I got a B+. You don't even really have to go to his awful 3-hr classes: just make sure he knows your face by going to office hours or catching him after class for a chat as he gets his coffee. That's what I did and I got the full participation points.

Review posted on Wed 27 Jun 2007
Course(s) Taken: None

Honors 117, Winter 07. This is one of the best and worst classes you can take at UCLA. Zeiltin is an extremely intimidating professor and a dyed-in-the-wool communist. But don't let his bulldog-style and mentality fool you. If you work, he knows. He wants you to think. So do the reading if you can (There is a BUNCH), show up, get to know your classmates. It's rough, but rewarding.

Oh, and make sure that you wait for a full hour for him to arrive if he's late to class (e.g. if he gets stuck in traffic). Otherwise, it will be awkward the next time.

Review posted on Tue 29 Mar 2005
Course(s) Taken: soc 110

i think the students in our class felt like they were bonded through a common traumatic experience. at first, i thought he was the scariest prof. i had ever had. he has a knack for calling on you repeatedly when you don't know the answer and doesn't hesitate to tell you when you are utterly 180 degrees incorrect. take him if you want to be forced out of your shell and use parts of your brain you never used before, don't take it if you don't like participating in class discussions, often take things personally, cry easily, or hate getting picked on in public. i thought he was really intimidating, but once i got used to him and saw that he really just wants you to learn, i was able to relax and enjoy the class. he is definitely not an easy A, but you'll grow a thick skin and learn how to think critically. he's actually a very nice guy, and i recommend him to those who aren't afraid of a little hard work.

Review posted on Fri 25 Mar 2005
Course(s) Taken: soc 110

Professor Zeitlin is great. He expects a lot from his students and challenges them. He's very intelligent, interesting and actually very funny. Expect to get called on A LOT and for him to be critical of your answers. I found this a little intimidating at first, but he really ends up growing on you. If you don't like getting called on, being told when you're wrong, working for decent grade, and often take things personally, avoid his class. If you can get over all this, you'll learn a lot and really appreciate the intense experience.

Review posted on Tue 11 May 2004
Course(s) Taken: Soc 101

He is definitely not an easy professor. Sometimes he has trouble communicating the information in a way that an undergraduate student with minimal background in the subject can understand. However, he is vey willing to talk to you about the things that you dont understand. At times he will even talk your head off. But i do feel that he is genuinly concerned with his students' understanding because he feels that the subject matter is that important.
Take soc 101 with him if you want to learn perhaps more than you ever wanted to know about Karl Marx. I came into this class with a strong liberal bias and he definately supplanted that. By the end of the reading and discussions on Marx I can confidently say that i understand him, which is a great feet.
Zeitlin can definately be harsh at times, but that is his style of teaching, which can offend some people. He pushes his students.
I wont say that he is a good teacher or a bad one. His style is just not what many are accustomed to.

Review posted on Mon 09 Jun 2003
Course(s) Taken: Soc101

Professor Zeitlin was one of the best teachers I have ever had. Honestly though, don't take his class if you want an easy A. He really pushes you and challenges you so if you do well in this environment take his class. If you are easily offended or don't like being asked questions in class, don't take his class. Overall, if you really want to learn something instead of just memorizing a bunch of facts for a test and you aren't afraid of a little hard work you will find his class to be a wonderful experience.

Review posted on Fri 14 Feb 2003
Course(s) Taken: Honors Collegium: 117

I took the Resistance to Evil class Fall 2002 and this class, although challenging, was worth all the effort I put into it. It was by far one of the most interesting classes I've had at UCLA and Prof. Zeitlin is the best professor I've had at UCLA. His teaching style is in your face, and for some that could be intimidating,but if you're willing to participate and do the reading this class is amazing. I feel like an expert on this subject matter now that I've taken the class.

At first the class seems very intimidating and the reading looks impossible, but its actually very interesting and easy to do. Take this class if you get a chance, you won't regret it. If you can't take this class you should definitley take a seminar with Zeitlin, it will be one of the best experiences you have at UCLA.

Review posted on Mon 07 Oct 2002
Course(s) Taken: Honors Collegium: 117

I would highly recommend taking this course with Prof. Zeitlin. I don't know how anyone could say that his lectures are boring, because I find them riveting. Very seldom do I encounter a professor who presents material in such an engaging manner. The material that this course deals with is very disturbing, and it must be taken seriously. Of course it may be uncomfortable for someone who hasn't done the reading, but it is an Honors course, so people who take it should be willing to do the work and learn something. If you want to take an amazing course and change the way you think about events in the world, then take this course, but don't take it if you just want an easy A.