She is a really great teacher. Quite approachable, and very humorous. Her slideshows lectures are informative and are posted on the web. However, one feels compelled to attend her lectures because she adds more to the slideshows by giving insightful information as we are copying down the notes. She also interacts with the class by getting our input. Our midterm was a take-home essay which was quite doable. And she gives us loads of useful stuff to review for our inclass final/essay. On her "bad days," she is still approachable which says a lot for a UCLA teacher. Take her because she is a pretty decent professor.

Meldrum has a very straightforward teaching style. However, she often forgets to include slides when she posts them online, and has to send additional slides later. Her slides are also somewhat confusing and difficult to follow, but if you pay attention in lecture then you should be fine. She explains concepts pretty well and in good detail.

Though the weekly readings were extensive, you could easily get away with only reading a few and participating on only what you know (intellectually). Often its easy to make up insight about what she's talking about based on common knowledge as well! Compared to other seminars, this one had minimal workload. Other seminars had two papers, group presentations, debates, and more. Meldrum only assigned one paper (which she reviews and tells you what she wants etc. from an optional rough draft). There is one 15 minute presentation on the same topic as your paper, so as long as you have your paper done by the last seminar, you should be knowledged enough to not really have to prepare. Overall and easy, insightful, and interesting class! Would recommend. Also the required book is only like $12.

Though the weekly readings were extensive, you could easily get away with only reading a few and participating on only what you know (intellectually). Often its easy to make up insight about what she's talking about based on common knowledge as well! Compared to other seminars, this one had minimal workload. Other seminars had two papers, group presentations, debates, and more. Meldrum only assigned one paper (which she reviews and tells you what she wants etc. from an optional rough draft). There is one 15 minute presentation on the same topic as your paper, so as long as you have your paper done by the last seminar, you should be knowledged enough to not really have to prepare. Overall and easy, insightful, and interesting class! Would recommend. Also the required book is only like $12.

I was very surprised when I saw how few people got an A in this class Fall 15. I thought it was an interesting class, especially if you like science and medicine. The tests were not difficult. She literally gave a study guide of terms and people, and the test was just a selection of them and regurgitating whatever you put on the study guide. So, as long as your study guide is thorough, you're good to go; you can also go to her office and she will tell you how good your study guide answers are. I strongly recommend visiting her office hours to discuss the two papers (only 5-7 pages). She also allows you to submit a draft to her prior to turning in the real thing, and she will give you feedback. Overall, Meldrum was helpful and fair, although lectures could be a bit dry. Again, very surprised to see the poor grade distribution.