LING 20:

I'm taking this class because I have to for a G.E. I was mildly interested at the beginning of the course, but Rett is such a terrible teacher, I can say I hate linguistics. She doesn't teach and she has alienated me from linguistics such that I am pass/no-passing this class and don't really give a shit about anything I learn. This is rare because I take my education seriously and have a high GPA. But when it comes to this class, I just can't care any less. I wouldn't say she's the worst professor on campus, but there's something about her that makes me - again - not give a shit about linguistics.

I'm a little surprised by the bad reviews, she wasn't bad at all. The lectures were pretty slow and she always took the time to answer every student's questions (even annoying ones). I actually really enjoyed her as a professor, she tried to make the class interactive.

I've heard a lot of bad things about this course and if you're reading these reviews thinking it's not for you, I definitely encourage you to just try the class for yourself. I'm glad I went into the class not knowing anything because I came into the class not expecting it to be terrible and it turned out to be so interesting that I decided to double-major in Ling.

I will say that while the homework and quizzes were do-able, the final was ridic. But it was open book and open note.

My TA was pretty much useless, by the way.

Overall, the course was pretty good. You get graded on attendance (20%) homework (40%), and a final (30%).

You get your attendance points by taking a quiz at the beginning of class everyday. The quiz is just one question so its a hit or miss on your point. The question isn't usually hard but if you don't do the readings, you kinda just have to try your best and guess. Being on time to class is VERY important as she begins as soon as she arrives or as soon as the class is scheduled to begin.

You can work on your homework with peers - it is highly recommended because you will get stuck on a few trick questions. Office hours with your TA can help if your having particular trouble with the assignment. She doesn't have any rules on using your phone/computer but stay focused because her notes don't go too in depth to answer all of the problems you'll see on your HW assignments.

The final is cumulative so make sure you understand the concepts well. You could opt for a paper but the paper requires lots of guidance from the professor (you have to schedule a meeting with her).

Overall, the content for the course is very interesting! I loved the material very much. She does take a more philosophical approach to the content so do not be discouraged with all of the logic material. She can be a bit monotone but she is a great professor who is very knowledgable and tries her best to incorporate semantics into our everyday lives and current events: JUST SIT IN THE FRONT OF THE ROOM SO YOU STAY FOCUSED AND DON'T FALL ASLEEP. Also, do not be afraid to ask her clarify something because she can sometimes breeze over material and that material will 9/10 come out on your final and hw assignments.

Linguistics 125=120C (Semantics)
Professor Rett is very funny and inspiring. But semantics can be hard for pure-humanties majored students or non-native English speakers because it requires some very abstract ideas (quantitative training background might help a lot)

Readings are extremely important!! about 30 pages a week. one multiple-choice reading quiz on every class (drop 2).
As long as you do the readings, you will ace that 30%. But make sure you understand ALL the readings because they can be so dam hard.

40% Homework is the hardest part in this course. that's why if you don't understand the readings, you will not do well on the homework. so make sure to ask questions in class about the readings.

final is relatively easy compare to the homework.

semantics is very interesting. The class is harder than other linguistics classes because you're competing with other cs major students. But you'll learn A LOT! Overall, this is one of the best classes at UCLA ever.

LING 20

Don't get me wrong, she's nice but damn--

SHE SUCKS. Boring, dry and monotone.
Even my TA thinks so... She makes a lot of mistakes.
Maybe she is too busy with her research. Heed this warning. I am a linguistics major.

Just don't do it. For ANY class.