There are quizzes to 6/10 of the lectures and they usually take half an hour in class to complete. They are worth 50% of your grade. So you really have to study for them before every lecture. It took me approximately 1 hour to go over the slides from the last lecture every week.

There is a newspaper-style short paper assignment that is worth 10% of your grade. Castel is pretty tolerant about them.

There is also a final research paper and it accounts for 30% of the grade. 6-page double-spaced. You can select your own topic as long as it's relevant to the class.

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Take this class with Castel! Although the lectures were 3 hours, they were podcasted so you didn't have to stay for the whole time or even show up at all (I went to 2 total). Discussion is mandatory but actually helpful because you get practice quizzes (only count for participation, not for your grade). Kudos to Castel because he has to lecture for three hours but somehow isn't monotonous or even boring. He throws a few jokes in here and there and genuinely does seem really interested in his teaching. A lot of the studies talked about in this class were actually conducted by him so that's pretty cool. As for the tests, they are NOT memorization based, you have to know how to learn/apply the concepts that are taught to scenarios. In addition, you often find yourself choosing between two answers that both seem very correct. Trust your gut! Overall, definitely take this class with Castel. As for the textbook, it's not very necessary. Maybe a few things came directly from there, but all the ideas were covered in class so you're totally fine if you don't read it or even purchase it. Before the exam, just re-listen to parts of the lecture you missed or are unclear about, and go over the concepts/terms thoroughly and you'll be good!

-bruincasted!!!!!!
-but section attendance is required :(
-read the textbook
-3 pts SONA + slight curve on both exams
-2 papers (easy)

Lectures are the majority of the test questions, and textbook questions will be taken from the little bubbles and asides so skimming and being able to do well is pretty easy.

Overall, pretty easy. The 3 hour lectures on Friday sucked, but they were audiocasted so I only went to a few. Castel is a decent lecturer, and the material is somewhat interesting.

There’s two written assignments, super easy if you just fill the two pages. Midterm and final were super doable and fair, all multiple choice. I’d recommend.

Heres the Breakdown
-two MC tests worth 40% each (based off of the slides AND readings)
-10% Discussion attendance
-10% on two easy papers

he gives 3 bonus points for sona studies and the tests are slightly curved a few points

He covers a lot of material but its manageable
Overall solid class and doable to get an A

Read the textbook and pay attention during lecture. I found flashcards (Anki) useful. Exams were not very difficult as concepts are straightforward (I scored >95% on both) and there are "extra credit" questions. Workload is light to reasonable (once a week lecture + discussion, textbook readings) and there are opportunities for SONA extra credit (3 points).

I've heard it from here and from my own TA as well, take it with Castel. His lectures are engaging and interesting. There are only 2 exams, second exam being non-cumulative. The textbook is well written, probably the best textbook I've ever read. Castel tests from lecture as well as some things from the text which he didn't go over in class, so it is important to read. It's doable as well, 2 chapters in a week.

dude just take this class! trust meeee! easiest class as a senior!