Professor

David Shorter

AD
3.7
Overall Ratings
Based on 71 Users
Easiness 2.6 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Workload 2.6 / 5 How light the workload is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Clarity 3.5 / 5 How clear the professor is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Helpfulness 3.6 / 5 How helpful the professor is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

Reviews (71)

1 of 4
1 of 4
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June 26, 2019
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: A+

As an engineering major who took this class for fun alongside another writing 2 class, I can without a doubt say that this was the best course I have taken at UCLA. The class teaches you how to think and to question all the preconceived notions that you hold about topics like aliens. Shorter really makes you think outside your own worldview and really challenges you to question your own worldview. The class isn't even really about aliens, psychics, and ghosts per say. I would characterize the class as a referendum on how we acquire knowledge and choose what we believe and do not believe through the lens of alien encounters. Overall, I would recommend this class to anyone that can enroll because it will change your worldview for the better. Also come into the class with an open mind because your experience will be 100x better than those who are stubborn and not willing to question their worldview.

Discussion sections were the most enriching discussions I have ever been a part of, which was amplified because of people's willingness to share and actually do the readings. Also TA Jackie Davis did not bring her own viewpoints into the section, which definitely allowed for free flowing and exciting discussions about lecture and the reading.

I feel like the people who hated the class were not willing to even consider other viewpoints (literally the whole point of the class) and did not seek help from the TA during office hours for writing advice. I went into TA office hours and we went over my argument structure and which evidence I would use to prove each point. My TA (Jackie Davis) would discuss with you exactly which ideas are fleshed out and which ones could be more compelling. After this, just follow every small detail that Professor Shorter lays out to receive an A.

Helpful?

2 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Jan. 9, 2017
Quarter: Fall 2016
Grade: A+

If you do the work and follow his directions you'll get an A. Fun and enjoyable class material. Selling the required books : Communion and The Supernatural. Text @ **********

Helpful?

4 1 Please log in to provide feedback.
Aug. 3, 2022
Quarter: Fall 2022
Grade: A+

I truly liked my class with Shorter and recommend him, but some people didn't jive with him. He's the classic archetype of a university professor but funnier and looser. Just participate in the discussions, do the readings, and attend office hours, and you will be on his good side and do fine. Also, he will make you a better writer.

The readings/texts/films were exciting and changed my perspective on many areas of life.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Feb. 25, 2009
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A

I took Aliens Psychics and Ghosts with Shorter and it was one of the coolest classes I've ever taken at UCLA. His lectures are interesting and the subject material (as you can imagine) is interesting/freaky/thought provoking. Shorter is a very engaging character who will keep you awake the entire time (guaranteed). Lectures are a combo of discussion of the reading, lecturing, and video/audio clips. There was a lot of reading that you'll have to do to take a lot out of this class, but it is worthwhile. It makes you want to keep reading. There were some short reading pop quizzes. The class focused upon a final research paper that counts for both a midterm and a final. He is a major stickler for writing, but I assure that you will end up writing one of the best research papers of your UCLA career. Anyhow, if you want to challenge yourself to learn about something you probably haven't thought about much, definitely take Shorter's class.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Dec. 18, 2018
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: B

The professor is cool, the class content is interesting, but the grading is by far too demanding. I went into this class thinking it was going to be an easy way to check off my writing 2 requirement and get an easy A. About half way through the quarter, Shorter informed us past bruin walk reviews no longer reflected the class because he had changed up the grading scale (there are no longer 20 points of extra credit, maybe ~8 offered). The class is out of 100 and, even if you write a perfect analytical paper, there are many places to lose points through college rule (college rule covers contractions, 'it,' grammar, etc). Each mistake on the college rule is a .25 to 3 point deduction. On one of my papers, I lost more points on the college rule rather than on the content of my paper, this mistake cost me 3 points/ a letter grade (this class weighs content and grammar equally). Shorter also introduces a very specific writing structure that must be followed in order to not lose points (e.g significance statements, problem and solutions, etc.). There are 5 assignments (1x4 pg, 2x5pg, 1x1pg, 1x6.5 pg) and attendance is worth 15 points. If you care about your GPA, I would not recommend taking this class unless you plan on investing a significant amount of time in it by going to your TA's office hours to review each paper before turning it in and combing through for any possible point deductions. Also, there are a lot of readings so make sure you have time for those too so you can keep up with class discussions and earn the pop quiz extra credit points. If you're genuinely interested in the class content, I recommend getting your writing 2 out of the way with some other class and taking this one P/NP so you don't have to stress about each point you lose on the writing assignments. The class discussions are interesting and Shorter is a fun professor who cares about his students. I learned a lot about aliens and, as a south campus major, I appreciated Shorter's lectures and perspective. However, do not expect an A out of this class without putting in time, it is no longer an easy A.

Helpful?

4 5 Please log in to provide feedback.
Dec. 18, 2018
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: C

I do not recommend this for anyone looking to satisfy a writing II requirement. The professor is a nice person overall and shares a lot of his personal stories, but his standards of grading are way too high. If you are a south campus student and care about your GPA, this class does not help as a GPA booster and will give you a lot more stress than other writing II classes. I’m sure anyone could get an A in this class if they go to both the professor/TA office hours weekly and set aside hours of reading daily. But coming into this class as a good writer won’t really help.

Helpful?

4 6 Please log in to provide feedback.
Nov. 8, 2018
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: S

Do not take this class. If you are looking at the past bruinwalk reviews IT IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE. The grading is tough and the professor requires you write extensively. The topic of the class is interesting but he requires you to have a certain style of writing. There are extra credit points but are very limited so don't think that it is an easy A. I came into class looking a bruinwalk, but the class is completely different now so think twice before you enroll in this class.

Helpful?

3 5 Please log in to provide feedback.
June 18, 2018
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: B+

Sí, me gustó y yo lo recomiendo

Helpful?

1 6 Please log in to provide feedback.
April 17, 2012
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A

I went into this class knowing that it would be difficult, and only wanting to take it because it would be my last GE.

I can honestly say that this was probably one of the most enriching classes I have ever taken at UCLA and I don't regret a single moment of it. This class, like other reviewers have said, has truly changed my worldview and has help me become more understanding of the worldview of others.

Professor Shorter is definitely not one of those professors that is going to take your bs excuses for not going to class or let you walk away with an easy A. You're definitely going to have to work for it, but hopefully you'll walk away with something much greater in value than a grade...or something like that.

His class is sometimes brutal but undeniably fair. His quizzes, in all honesty, are not difficult if you have done the reading. I probably missed only two questions the whole quarter -- not a big deal. The readings are sometimes dense, but they're always gone over in class.

Shorter is one of those professors that truly care and he might even change your life. Take this class, I doubt you'll really regret it.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
May 28, 2009
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A

disgusting demon of an instructor who gives stinging, discouraging responses when you seek clarification
Thank you for this bullshit of a class. I will now change majors.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 51W
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: A+
June 26, 2019

As an engineering major who took this class for fun alongside another writing 2 class, I can without a doubt say that this was the best course I have taken at UCLA. The class teaches you how to think and to question all the preconceived notions that you hold about topics like aliens. Shorter really makes you think outside your own worldview and really challenges you to question your own worldview. The class isn't even really about aliens, psychics, and ghosts per say. I would characterize the class as a referendum on how we acquire knowledge and choose what we believe and do not believe through the lens of alien encounters. Overall, I would recommend this class to anyone that can enroll because it will change your worldview for the better. Also come into the class with an open mind because your experience will be 100x better than those who are stubborn and not willing to question their worldview.

Discussion sections were the most enriching discussions I have ever been a part of, which was amplified because of people's willingness to share and actually do the readings. Also TA Jackie Davis did not bring her own viewpoints into the section, which definitely allowed for free flowing and exciting discussions about lecture and the reading.

I feel like the people who hated the class were not willing to even consider other viewpoints (literally the whole point of the class) and did not seek help from the TA during office hours for writing advice. I went into TA office hours and we went over my argument structure and which evidence I would use to prove each point. My TA (Jackie Davis) would discuss with you exactly which ideas are fleshed out and which ones could be more compelling. After this, just follow every small detail that Professor Shorter lays out to receive an A.

Helpful?

2 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 51W
Quarter: Fall 2016
Grade: A+
Jan. 9, 2017

If you do the work and follow his directions you'll get an A. Fun and enjoyable class material. Selling the required books : Communion and The Supernatural. Text @ **********

Helpful?

4 1 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 1
Quarter: Fall 2022
Grade: A+
Aug. 3, 2022

I truly liked my class with Shorter and recommend him, but some people didn't jive with him. He's the classic archetype of a university professor but funnier and looser. Just participate in the discussions, do the readings, and attend office hours, and you will be on his good side and do fine. Also, he will make you a better writer.

The readings/texts/films were exciting and changed my perspective on many areas of life.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 120
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Feb. 25, 2009

I took Aliens Psychics and Ghosts with Shorter and it was one of the coolest classes I've ever taken at UCLA. His lectures are interesting and the subject material (as you can imagine) is interesting/freaky/thought provoking. Shorter is a very engaging character who will keep you awake the entire time (guaranteed). Lectures are a combo of discussion of the reading, lecturing, and video/audio clips. There was a lot of reading that you'll have to do to take a lot out of this class, but it is worthwhile. It makes you want to keep reading. There were some short reading pop quizzes. The class focused upon a final research paper that counts for both a midterm and a final. He is a major stickler for writing, but I assure that you will end up writing one of the best research papers of your UCLA career. Anyhow, if you want to challenge yourself to learn about something you probably haven't thought about much, definitely take Shorter's class.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 51W
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: B
Dec. 18, 2018

The professor is cool, the class content is interesting, but the grading is by far too demanding. I went into this class thinking it was going to be an easy way to check off my writing 2 requirement and get an easy A. About half way through the quarter, Shorter informed us past bruin walk reviews no longer reflected the class because he had changed up the grading scale (there are no longer 20 points of extra credit, maybe ~8 offered). The class is out of 100 and, even if you write a perfect analytical paper, there are many places to lose points through college rule (college rule covers contractions, 'it,' grammar, etc). Each mistake on the college rule is a .25 to 3 point deduction. On one of my papers, I lost more points on the college rule rather than on the content of my paper, this mistake cost me 3 points/ a letter grade (this class weighs content and grammar equally). Shorter also introduces a very specific writing structure that must be followed in order to not lose points (e.g significance statements, problem and solutions, etc.). There are 5 assignments (1x4 pg, 2x5pg, 1x1pg, 1x6.5 pg) and attendance is worth 15 points. If you care about your GPA, I would not recommend taking this class unless you plan on investing a significant amount of time in it by going to your TA's office hours to review each paper before turning it in and combing through for any possible point deductions. Also, there are a lot of readings so make sure you have time for those too so you can keep up with class discussions and earn the pop quiz extra credit points. If you're genuinely interested in the class content, I recommend getting your writing 2 out of the way with some other class and taking this one P/NP so you don't have to stress about each point you lose on the writing assignments. The class discussions are interesting and Shorter is a fun professor who cares about his students. I learned a lot about aliens and, as a south campus major, I appreciated Shorter's lectures and perspective. However, do not expect an A out of this class without putting in time, it is no longer an easy A.

Helpful?

4 5 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 51W
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: C
Dec. 18, 2018

I do not recommend this for anyone looking to satisfy a writing II requirement. The professor is a nice person overall and shares a lot of his personal stories, but his standards of grading are way too high. If you are a south campus student and care about your GPA, this class does not help as a GPA booster and will give you a lot more stress than other writing II classes. I’m sure anyone could get an A in this class if they go to both the professor/TA office hours weekly and set aside hours of reading daily. But coming into this class as a good writer won’t really help.

Helpful?

4 6 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 51W
Quarter: Fall 2018
Grade: S
Nov. 8, 2018

Do not take this class. If you are looking at the past bruinwalk reviews IT IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE. The grading is tough and the professor requires you write extensively. The topic of the class is interesting but he requires you to have a certain style of writing. There are extra credit points but are very limited so don't think that it is an easy A. I came into class looking a bruinwalk, but the class is completely different now so think twice before you enroll in this class.

Helpful?

3 5 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 51W
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: B+
June 18, 2018

Sí, me gustó y yo lo recomiendo

Helpful?

1 6 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 33
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
April 17, 2012

I went into this class knowing that it would be difficult, and only wanting to take it because it would be my last GE.

I can honestly say that this was probably one of the most enriching classes I have ever taken at UCLA and I don't regret a single moment of it. This class, like other reviewers have said, has truly changed my worldview and has help me become more understanding of the worldview of others.

Professor Shorter is definitely not one of those professors that is going to take your bs excuses for not going to class or let you walk away with an easy A. You're definitely going to have to work for it, but hopefully you'll walk away with something much greater in value than a grade...or something like that.

His class is sometimes brutal but undeniably fair. His quizzes, in all honesty, are not difficult if you have done the reading. I probably missed only two questions the whole quarter -- not a big deal. The readings are sometimes dense, but they're always gone over in class.

Shorter is one of those professors that truly care and he might even change your life. Take this class, I doubt you'll really regret it.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
WL ARTS 21
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
May 28, 2009

disgusting demon of an instructor who gives stinging, discouraging responses when you seek clarification
Thank you for this bullshit of a class. I will now change majors.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
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