I took this class as a GE course and I have to say that I liked it a lot. Professor Smoak is a nice guy who is willing to help his students any way he can. This quarter, for example, I wanted to take the class, but the class was over-enrolled, but he still gave me a PTE. The material itself is interesting to learn and Smoak makes sure to go over any uncertainties. While I did enjoy the class, I was not a fan of how much work this class required. This class had two quizzes, one midterm, one final, one group project, one research paper, participation, and a visit to LACMA. All of the exams were pretty straightforward. Professor Smoak would release a study guide that was useful for the exams. The annoying part about the class was the project, paper, and LACMA assignment. The group project is a gamble and your grade will depend on how well you work in a group. My group actually did stuff, so it was easy for me, but difficult for my peers. The LACMA assignment is inconvenient since you have to go all the way to LACMA on your own. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. The paper is pretty short ( 4 to 5 pages), but it requires you to find 6 sources. Also, don't be deceived by the paper's brevity: it's much harder to be succinct! Overall, Smoak's class was pretty fun and he is a great lecturer; however, the number of assignments you have for this lower-division course definitely mars it from being an excellent class. Nonetheless, I would still recommend the course to anyone looking to fulfill their philosophical/linguistic GE requirement.

I'm surprised all the reviews on here are so positive. Dr. Smaok is a really nice professor and is pretty fair. However, the work load for this class was excessive. It's a GE and there were two reading quizzes, weekly reading assignments, a project that requires you to go to LACMA and write about it, a large group project, a difficult final paper, a midterm, and a final. Also, he tests small details so you need to know random specific things. He did try to make it interesting but personally I found the material to be very dry. Dr. Smoak was helpful and the TA's were considerate, but overall I recommend avoiding this class if you can. It's just too much work for a GE and the material isn't material I can see myself needing to know ever again.

About the class:
I absolutely loved the class. Its one of my favorite classes at UCLA. I found it so interesting and very different from other history/linguistic classes/my major science classes. I loved the project that we had to do and it really allowed me to be creative, something that I feel like gets lost in college especially in the middle of midterms and finals. Because of this class I took some other ancient near east classes and even decided to minor in ANE and egyptology as a south campus major!
About the professor:
He was a good professor! His requirements were very clear and he gave us study guides for the midterm/finals. He also gave us the answers during his review session so remember to go to those!

One of the best professors I've had at UCLA. Smoak is a clear lecturer who presents information in a very unique and interesting way, and is very approachable. The course structure is very reasonable, with appropriately paced and interesting readings, a manageable group project, and a rather easy midterm and final. Overall, one of the best GEs I've taken, and I would definitely recommend this class with Smoak when it becomes available again.

I adored professor smoak. the lecture material was interesting, and he worked to make it even more engaging. Easy midterm and final, and a fun (surprisingly not terrible) group project. Smoak is very approachable and amiable. I would take any class again with Smoak.

Professor Smoak is a genuinely cool, down-to-earth man who is really fascinated by the material in his lectures. I thought that the class was more than fair and actually interested me. Often times, we had guest lecturers who were his teaching assistants. They always had interesting and valuable information to share about their areas of study. I would recommend this class. It is pretty darn easy if you stay on top of your work.

I am selling "The Study of Writing" of any one is interested.

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