I took all three sections of this class, Modernism 1A,1B,and 1C, and it definitely was a hard ass class. It is a requirement for all the art and art history kids so it sucks for us. But Sami definitely is very passionate and knowledgable, and even very funny, This class being three hours long and starting very early in the morning kinda sucked. Sami would have done a lot better if it was an hour thirty minute class, two sections a week. Anyways, I would say the class material is difficult and the tests and one paper is too. I suggest recording the class instead of reading up to 70 pages a week (which is a requirement) and trying to focus for 3 hours straight every class, because the class is too long but everything he says is gold when it comes to exams and papers. Exams are ALWAYS on specific artworks, and he gives out 4 prompts that asks you to compares two artworks from class. If you record the class, you just gotta go look at the part where Sami talks about the specific artworks on the prompt. Do read a little bit for the sake of pop quizzes. He chooses the worst time for them (like the very last class).
Good luck to everyone who has to take this class. I don't really suggest this to people (outside the art and art history department) who doesn't know much about art or does not have much passion on this subject.