CLUSTER 20CW
Interracial Dynamics in American Culture and Society: Special Topics: Political Economy of White Supremacy Ideology
Description: (Formerly numbered General Education Clusters 20CW.) Seminar, three hours. Enforced requisite: course 20B. Limited to first-year freshmen. Consideration of how experience, debates, and issues of race are represented and understood in historical, legal, cinematic, and literary contexts. Satisfies Writing II requirement. Letter grading.
Units: 6.0
Units: 6.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2022 - Although I’m not one to write reviews on instructors, I am submitting one to provide future students a better insight as to who Oscar Mayorga was to me. As a student who actually believes in the importance of learning and improving, I resonated with Mayorga’s critical nature and appreciated the IDEA that he wanted students to LEARN. However, even though I went into his class with an open-mindset, it was clear that rather than “guiding” students to be a better writer and more knowledgeable on interracial dynamics, he seemed to push one strict answer, one style of writing, one perspective—onto students. And, as such, anyone who didn’t follow his answer, style, or perspective would be penalized, aka lower grade—no matter how much time and effort you put. One thing to note if you do take his class is that participation is ESSENTIAL. In the beginning, he tells his students that he wants to help those who struggle with participating by having his class be an open space. As someone who falls under this category, I felt relieved at this statement and hoped to push my boundaries in his class. However, his discussion section made me feel the MOST discomfort ever when it came to participating—in my whole education journey. Whether it was through his body language or very emotive lectures, I just felt out of place (although this could just be a personal issue). When he asked questions, as long as I could remember, he replied with a curt “no” or “that’s just factually incorrect” until he finally hears the answer he wants. As such there were a lot of awkward silences and I was on the constant run, trying to read his mind, even though discussions should be a space where we can open up about our differing perspectives. However! If you’re smarter than me, and actually write what he wants to hear, you’ll do A-OKAY in his class. The stress? It’s just one quarter, one class out of the many you’ll be taking. So if you do happen to get him don’t worry!! You’ll be fine… :) You got this!
Winter 2022 - Although I’m not one to write reviews on instructors, I am submitting one to provide future students a better insight as to who Oscar Mayorga was to me. As a student who actually believes in the importance of learning and improving, I resonated with Mayorga’s critical nature and appreciated the IDEA that he wanted students to LEARN. However, even though I went into his class with an open-mindset, it was clear that rather than “guiding” students to be a better writer and more knowledgeable on interracial dynamics, he seemed to push one strict answer, one style of writing, one perspective—onto students. And, as such, anyone who didn’t follow his answer, style, or perspective would be penalized, aka lower grade—no matter how much time and effort you put. One thing to note if you do take his class is that participation is ESSENTIAL. In the beginning, he tells his students that he wants to help those who struggle with participating by having his class be an open space. As someone who falls under this category, I felt relieved at this statement and hoped to push my boundaries in his class. However, his discussion section made me feel the MOST discomfort ever when it came to participating—in my whole education journey. Whether it was through his body language or very emotive lectures, I just felt out of place (although this could just be a personal issue). When he asked questions, as long as I could remember, he replied with a curt “no” or “that’s just factually incorrect” until he finally hears the answer he wants. As such there were a lot of awkward silences and I was on the constant run, trying to read his mind, even though discussions should be a space where we can open up about our differing perspectives. However! If you’re smarter than me, and actually write what he wants to hear, you’ll do A-OKAY in his class. The stress? It’s just one quarter, one class out of the many you’ll be taking. So if you do happen to get him don’t worry!! You’ll be fine… :) You got this!
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