He is sexually harassed and assaulted two graduate students. He was accused of "making inappropriate comments to them, pressing his body against theirs, and trying to force his tongue into their mouths."

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gabriel-piterberg-returns-ucla_us_57757836e4b0a629c1a92d22)

This man is a SEXUAL PREDATOR.

http://dailybruin.com/2016/09/09/ucla-settles-lawsuit-with-graduate-students-alleging-title-ix-violations/

This an is a sexual predator. DO NOT ENROLL. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS. DO NOT SUPPORT SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

Y'all know that this guy sexually assaulted his TAs? Look up UCLA Piterberg. Don't take his class or take it to help students to get him out of UCLA. He does not deserve to teach any more students.

prof. piterberg's class is quite refreshing. he doesn't bog you down like you were stuck in the Russian Winter. Midterm consists of multiple choice. Final is 3-4 page short essay inclass. key to doing well is show up and take notes on whatever he writes down on the board. funny european humour. great guy.

Piterberg was really interesting. He is not especially concerned with students, but he does his part to impart the knowledge needed for the class. The readings are very difficult, but if you stick to his lectures, and pay close attention (go to class) there is not reason not to do well on the exams. You have to do some memorization, but he preps students for his exams. He has dry humor, is very cynical, and tells the class upfront that he is an atheist. I left the class, most likely with an A, but also feeling like I learned a great deal.

Take Professor Piterberg for an easy, no-work A. Be able to memorize things. No brain/thinking required for a guaranteed A (but encouraged for your own optional benefit). Excellent sense of humor and seems like a nice guy. Easiest class in the world.

If you take him for a medium lecture class (100+ students) don't expect him to talk to you or really care much about you at all. I went to his posted office hours several times in separate weeks (he held them once a week for two lecture classes during Winter 2011), and he was never there. I really wanted to talk to him too, as I was interested in his view on the philosophy of history. Also, he doesn't stay behind after class to converse or answer questions. He is literally the first person out of the lecture hall after the end of class.

Bottom line: Easy, no-work A. Expect nothing else. Your mileage may vary if you take him for a smaller seminar class. The following comic describes him perfectly:

http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1041
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1042

I must say that I really enjoyed Piterberg's class. He doesnt bog you down with all of the details like Prof Morony does, he just gives you a cursory overview of the material. BREAKDOWN of class: Midterm 50% fill in the blanks (in class), Final 50% one essay (in class). I aced the midterm no problem just from going off of my notes, but i came to class EVERY DAY! Piterberg tells you that the test material comes for the lectures, so GO TO CLASS!!! sooo many people didnt, and they got screwed! Now, I aced the midterm and final, but many people didnt. I suggest that you type your notes if you can and make the dates or names that he WRITES ON THE BOARD in "bold" then for the midterm, make a studyguide or flashcards of all the bold terms.

The midterm was NOT worded well at all and was very confusing, but the best way to study for Piterberg is your NOTES and NOT the books. Read them, b/c they are interesting, but as he says his tests are on the material discussed in CLASS and NOTHING ELSE!!!

Final was one essay out of 3, which basically covered the 3 main themes of the course. Again, i studied my notes, and got an A on the final.

My advice 1) Come to class EVERYDAY it is worth it! 2) Take GOOD notes, and mark your notes every time he WRITES ON THE BOARD. 3) Make study-guide/flash cards for the Midterm 4) Study notes (3 main themes of the course) for the Final exam.

Although I liked the class, and Piterberg is entertaining, he DOES NOT like staying after class to answer questions. He literally RUNS out of class as soon as it gets out. He is also often late, but ALWAYS leaves on time! I even asked him one time why he runs out of class so soon, and he responded "What do you expect me to do, sit here?" Yes I do professor! you should stay for at LEAST 2-3 mins to answer questions!

Take ANY of his classes, his exams are very DOABLE if you take good notes, I can't stress this enough.

Piterberg was a cool person but not so great a lecturer. He had an interest in student learning but just didn't seem to relay the information vert well. Since his lectures had no formal structure, it was difficult to follow at times. Also, he jumps from different time periods too often, that it's hard to understand what he's talking about it.