If your're looking for an easy Lab GE, take GEOG 5, it's a better experience (with less work). I took GEOG 2 online and never interacted with the professor, she does record audio for the power points though. The labs are in person with a TA. The lectures were a little cluttered and the exams were very fact-based (at times they felt like trivia). The textbook is not essential - I skimmed even though I didn't really need to. I did well and enjoyed this class mainly because I love biogeography -- it's kind of my thing.

Breakdown:
Lab -30%
Discussion posts - 10%
Barrier Quizzes (you take them till you get 100%) - 10%
Midterm -25%
Final (not cumulative) - 25%

Take this GE if you need a LAB CREDIT! The labs are 40% of your grade and very straightforward- some are even fun. We got to go to the Botanic Gardens and the train behind Hitch. As long as you pay attention you'll be fine.

Cusack was a really responsive professor or structured her lessons based on the vibe of the class. Her powerpoints are really long and detailed, which can be hard for lecture. Afterwards, it really helped to go back over them because she includes notes for each slide. Don't bother with the textbook- I opened it only once and still got an A.

The midterm is worth a lot, so don't think you can make it up with the final unless you really cram your brain with material. Memorize EVERY BARRIER QUIZ and online quiz for the tests because nearly 25% are these questions.

Side note: Cusack fits the stereotypical Cali girl voice to a T

I found this class more difficult than I expected. Her lectures were often disorganized and hard to follow, and the textbook barely followed the lectures at all. However, the tests were easy- particularly the final. More than half the questions were questions taken directly from optional quizzes that were released every week- most students don't take them, so a lot of people didn't do well on the final, but if you studied appropriately you did fine. I was definitely not expecting the A that I received! Also, you don't need to buy the textbook, even though she says it's required.

Professor Cusack is just not a good lecturer. She does amazing research, and is very intellectual, however, her slides are not as clear and concise as other teachers of Geography 2. She is not very helpful outside of the classroom either. I thought she was fairly disorganized and unengaged. I would recommend taking Geography 2 with Dr. MacDonald at all costs.

Professor Cusack was a great instructor. Her powerpoint slides are really helpful for studying. A textbook is required for this course but I just studied from her slides and still got an A so you'll be fine. One thing to watch out for is that her tests are multiple choice questions done on CCLE so if you're not a fan of MCQs then it's best not to take this class with her. She also likes to have questions that test factual knowledge instead of conceptual knowledge. Other than that, course material is quite easy. She also has barrier quizzes online which sometimes show up on the tests too. As long as you study the slides and do the quizzes, it'll be a breeze.

Prof. Cusack is very straightforward and engaging in her lectures. Additionally, she provides extensive study materials for her students, and even uses the practice quiz problems on her midterm and final exams. Also, the lab is very easy and straightforward as well. Definitely take this class if u need a science GE and lab.