Professor
Brenda Stevenson
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2023 - Stevenson is an incredibly qualified, knowledgeable professor who is very passionate about her subject. I was genuinely engaged in every lecture she gave, as her slides were more of a supplement to the deeper conversations we'd have in class (regarding slavery, modern-day racism, etc.), allowing me to understand her arguments in today's context. Your grade is based on 3 categories: 1) The midterm, 2) the final research paper, and 3) participation. It sucks that participation is required, but honestly, it was worth it to go to class. Her lectures made me feel like I was getting a true UCLA experience if you will. The midterm is pretty daunting, but the grading is pretty chill, and she provides a very helpful study guide (one with all of the potential midterm questions). The test itself consists of definition questions (~5-8 questions, 1 sentence each), short-answer questions (~3-4 questions, 1-2 sentences each), and one essay question (3-4 pages). All of your answers are written in a blue book, so you have to memorize an outline and write the essay by hand in class, which isn't fun. However, the study guide includes all of the essay prompts, so you have the opportunity to prepare well for them. The final paper is a 10-page historical research paper requiring a minimum of 20 sources (10 primary, 10 secondary) written in Chicago style. I don't know if the prompt stays exactly the same quarter-to-quarter, but our prompt was to research the upbringing of an enslaved child in the antebellum Upper South. As you probably figure, the biggest pain for this paper is doing the actual research but writing it is straightforward. You have the entire quarter to complete it, and I definitely wouldn't wait. She removes 5 points per day if the paper is submitted late. Overall, a phenomenal professor with a very helpful TA, but don't underestimate the class assignments. Best of luck to anyone taking this course! :)
Fall 2023 - Stevenson is an incredibly qualified, knowledgeable professor who is very passionate about her subject. I was genuinely engaged in every lecture she gave, as her slides were more of a supplement to the deeper conversations we'd have in class (regarding slavery, modern-day racism, etc.), allowing me to understand her arguments in today's context. Your grade is based on 3 categories: 1) The midterm, 2) the final research paper, and 3) participation. It sucks that participation is required, but honestly, it was worth it to go to class. Her lectures made me feel like I was getting a true UCLA experience if you will. The midterm is pretty daunting, but the grading is pretty chill, and she provides a very helpful study guide (one with all of the potential midterm questions). The test itself consists of definition questions (~5-8 questions, 1 sentence each), short-answer questions (~3-4 questions, 1-2 sentences each), and one essay question (3-4 pages). All of your answers are written in a blue book, so you have to memorize an outline and write the essay by hand in class, which isn't fun. However, the study guide includes all of the essay prompts, so you have the opportunity to prepare well for them. The final paper is a 10-page historical research paper requiring a minimum of 20 sources (10 primary, 10 secondary) written in Chicago style. I don't know if the prompt stays exactly the same quarter-to-quarter, but our prompt was to research the upbringing of an enslaved child in the antebellum Upper South. As you probably figure, the biggest pain for this paper is doing the actual research but writing it is straightforward. You have the entire quarter to complete it, and I definitely wouldn't wait. She removes 5 points per day if the paper is submitted late. Overall, a phenomenal professor with a very helpful TA, but don't underestimate the class assignments. Best of luck to anyone taking this course! :)
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