Okay, here's the deal. I think the reviews of this class are polarizing because it mashes up two opposite sides of the academic spectrum: humanities (history, philosophy, literature) and science (neuroscience, psychology [which could swing humanities], and neuroanatomy). Some of the basic neuroscience concepts swing nearly on the side of chemistry-type ideas. It's interdisciplinary and if you find yourself skilled on one end of the spectrum and are not willing to stretch out of your comfort zone and work hard to learn the concepts on the other end, don't take this class. I began this class fully expecting it to AP Psychology 2.0, and in some cases it was (if you took AP Psych, you're set for quite a bit of the neuroanatomy and psychology), but in many cases it is not. I find myself pretty well-rounded in that while I lean more humanities, I can switch to the more science-based concepts with a bit of work. Learning the neuroscience is a steep learning curve, even for those in science majors. However, if you go to your TA's office hours, the professors' office hours, and make sure to ask questions, you WILL get it. This class takes effort and I think very few would say its an easy A, but it is 100% worth taking. It was the best experience of my life and I learned so much. I think the first quarter is much harder than the second quarter because by the second quarter you can apply the knowledge from the first quarter to real concepts like movement and mental illness, which I found incredibly interesting. The seminar was also good, just be sure to choose a topic you really like. Fall and winter quarters have a midterm and final (multiple choice/short answer style), weekly quizzes, a final paper, and a midterm/shorter paper. It's all doable. The tests can be challenging, but if you do the weekly study questions they are very manageable. If you don't put in the effort, you will be miserable and get a poor grade. This isn't a class you can just skate by in, not study, and not do the readings. However, it is a class that will enrich your freshman year and put you in a great place for your subsequent studies at UCLA.

This comment is specifically for TA SONIA JAMANI. Avoid her at all cost (I don't think she will qualify for a TA next year anyway). I had her during the first quarter and she failed to fulfill the duty as a TA in every possible way: she did not know how to explain the questions on quizzes; she barely gave any useful information during discussion sections which were mandatory and simply a waste of time with her. The worst thing of all, she really had a problem with grading. She did not give out any grades throughout the quarter and procrastinated everything until after the final. When I received an unexpected final grade and approached her for comments, she did not give any convincing explanation. It sounded to me that she did not read my essay at all and just assigned an arbitrary grade. Though I shifted to a better TA in the following quarters, the OVERALL COURSE EXPERIENCE IS NOT THAT GOOD. As a cluster, all the professors just threw their own part of infos out there without building any connections between different disciplines. Not to mention some of them are really bad, dry lecturers. Quite a disappointment overall.

This class is tough, but ultimately doable. The workload (specifically the labs and essays) could be pretty heavy, the content (specifically the neuroscience) was challenging, the lectures could be really confusing and/or boring. However, the psychological, literature, and film aspects were also pretty interesting and the professors were quite nice and approachable (Professor Chandler could be a little intimidating). I highly recommend the film seminar for the spring quarter if you want light, fun work, and a fantastic professor. The T.A's and InqSpec were also quite helpful so I highly recommend utilizing them (with the exception of Sonia who seemed pretty clueless).

P.S. I'm selling my textbook for this class at a cheap rate. If anyone is interested, email: daniella824@g.ucla.edu

selling textbook $75
email: GemmaMSamoy.22.01@gmail.com

If you are a humanities major and just taking this for the GEs to get rid of the science classes, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T DO IT. Im a poli sci major and my NSA thought it would be a good idea to take this cluster but I understood jack sh*t. I studied my ass off and read the readings and watched videos and maybe its cause im generally dumb but its a really complicated class if this is not your focus of study even if you are genuinely interested, as was I.

Great professor and super enthusiastic. The content is complicated but he is so willing to help you understand during office hours and the lecture slides are always posted online for review.

Selling the textbook for $70-$80. Originally $113. Only has some highlighting in the first two chapters. I bought it from the ucla store used, but it was basically brand new. It's still in very good condition. No rips or random stains.

Email: allisono2000@g.ucla.edu

Selling the textbook- it’s New & sealed in the plastic saran wrap- originally priced at over $100- (its $110 with tax).

Will sell-send me your offer!

martinezjocelyn24@gmail.com

It was a very good class and looking back, I’m very glad I took it. However, I am so glad I’m done. The class is interesting, but challenging and the tests are not only very dense but SOOOOO long and require you to switch from subject to subject. Essentially a full multiple choice test followed by a full short answer test where you have to put the exact answer they’re looking for in the correct words.

Difficult, but worth it if you’re willing to work hard and good at keeping a positive attitude.

Selling the textbook for $20 or best offer - text at (714)595-7802

Selling the textbook for this class for $40! Please text me at (937)-602-3505 if interested. I believe the price for buying new is over $100 right now, and you'll absolutely need the textbook if you're taking this cluster. Can also provide some tips and personal experience for taking the course!