Clarence is one of the smartest most entertaining individuals I have met, and is without a doubt the best teacher or professor that I have had at UCLA or anywhere else. I took his class as a freshman and was pretty nervous going in because I heard that it was hard but it has been my best decision at UCLA so far. If you don't like the outdoors you shouldn't take it but if you love camping you will really enjoy it! My favorite trip was to Yosemite because our class really got to bond, but all of the trips were awesome. We found ourselves saying "I can't believe this is class right now" a lot over the course of the quarter because it is so unlike any classes that are offered here. The workload is intense and those who say it is extremely challenging are not exaggerating. I considered dropping the first couple of weeks because I didn't think I could do it, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because I learned so much and got an A! Take this class if you have the opportunity to, you will not regret it :)

This is the first review I have ever written on this site and will be the only review as I am now a UCLA alumni. Why am I choosing to write this one you ask? In the hopes that I can try to help convince you, a curious individual looking into ESS 20, to take this class!

This class was the best class I took at UCLA hands down. The trips each weekend were so eye opening and the places Clarence took us were truly beautiful. It was so wonderful to learn so much about the world by exploring it. Although Clarence did expect a lot out of us, our class bonded together and worked to help each other learn the material. In a sense, our struggles and complaining about the rigor of Clarence's teaching methods is what truly united us as a group haha. (Also, Clarence is very understanding and generous with a curve at the end of the class so don't get too discouraged when you see your test scores!).

As other reviewers have noted, in just 10 weeks with Clarence Hall you will come to understand and learn more about life than you ever thought possible in a quarter. However not only will you learn weird random latin names for plants and how to identify rocks, you will learn about yourself and the other people in your class. Nights around the bonfire spent talking and hanging out with classmates were where some of the best learning moments (and fun!) took place during the course of this class. It was the stuff that wasn't listed in the course description that made this class for me. From moonlit walks around Yosemite to sleeping under the stars in Anza Borrego and from stopping for date shakes at Hadley's to authentic Mexican food in downtown Santa Barbara, there is no question that choosing to take this class is an amazing decision.

Forget about the chance of not getting ahead in your required classes. Forget about the fact that this class isn't just some easy GE where you'll be handed an A.

Take this class and have one of the best experiences of your undergraduate career. You won't regret it.

Whoooooooaaaaaaaaa, Stop.

Calm down.

Do not get excited simply because this class is FUN.

It is the most FUN class on the entire planet.

You get to go to Yosemite and other beautiful places for free. (At least the gas and tickets... food is not covered)

Why should you think three times before enrolling?

This class is not easy. Really. It's not just about memorization or reasoning. IDENTIFICATION is the hardest part.

Now, are you taking any challenging courses other than this one?

If you are, then you should drop them or not enroll into this class.

However, if you insist on doing this class and other challenging classes, then GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, try to avoid the condition mentioned above.

Also, if you see any NERDY people in the class, be VERY CAREFUL. Because that person will ruin the class's curve.

Anyhow, this class is about to extinct like dinosaurs... that may be another good reason to sign up for this class.

Tricks to getting an A? Kill every nerd in your class or be a nerd.

Clarence is an encyclopedia with arms and legs. If you have the balls to take this class you will love it.

The man is so old his first pet was a triceratops and the reason he STILL teaches this class is because he loves it. His enthusiasm is contagious.

-ESS20 Spring 2010

Clarence is thee coolest person you will ever meet. ESS 20 is the experience of a lifetime! Some people dismiss this class after hearing that pretty much all your weekends are spent camping, but his trips are guaranteed more fun than anything you would be doing at UCLA or home. Anyone who doesn't take this class while at UCLA is seriously missing out.

Clarence is a warm and knowledgeable professor. Of all the profs I have had at UCLA, Clarence is my favorite and I still visit him in office hours years later. ESS 20 is not an easy class but it is worthwhile. There are trips to beautiful locations almost every weekend and you are expected to remember most of what you see. That said, the grading is fair and I walked away with an A. The class is only taught in spring so mark your calendars and be sure to give Clarence a try.

Took this course spring quarter of my junior year (1975) when it was known as Geology 20. My first geology course. Walked into class on Thursday afternoon (the first day of class) #18 on the waiting list, was one of 14 who showed up the next morning to head out to the Marble Mountains. Absolutely, without a doubt, let there be no mistake about it, this was my favorite undergraduate class. Southern California in the springtime. Field trips every weekend. From Death Valley to the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla to Yosemite, and every place in between. Spectacular scenery undiminished by having to learn not only a bit of geology, but also to recognize 300 or so wildflowers on sight. Did I mention that this was my favorite undergraduate class? How much so? Well, back in the spring quarter of 1975, I finished the last course I needed for my math major. I graduated in the summer of 1976 with a double major in geology and math, and went on to graduate school in geology. Thank you Clarence Hall!