One of the best professors I've ever had. Shows how geography is interesting and useful. And he's hilarious.

Professor Gillespie is one of the best professors I've had so far at UCLA. He is extremely funny and makes the whole lecture hall laugh. He likes participation within class, like when he asks his students where is the most tropical place they've visited, etc. He made his lectures actually enjoyable to attend.

The class itself is very, very easy. You have to go to lecture, but they're fun anyways. Write down all the notes and Gillespie's explanations as he writes on the chalkboard. But you do not need to write down every word he says. He makes review sheets for the midterm and final. Simply make flashcards for each term he gives and memorize them. I did not do the reading and I still received an A+. But on the reviews there are reading questions - just look up the terms in the index and find out where it's located and write down the answer. The tests are straight verbatim from his lecture. Flashcards are the best way I believe.

The class overall was very enjoyable, especially the fieldtrip to the CA vegetation on the side of Hitch where he chops down plants with his machete.

I personally hated this course. Not to say the class wasn't easy. I dislike geography in general, and the professor wasn't great, either. Sure, he's fun and entertaining. But it's all rote memorization. Often times he said "Just memorize it. It'll be on the exam." That's really not encouraging me to learn anything. Studing for the midterm and final is a pain because it's all memorizing. I think that's why students like the course: because it's clear what you get tested on. Sure that can be easy, but that's not how I learn.

Sometimes he talks way too fast just to get all the material in lecture, and it can be really annoying eventually, cause you have to constantly write down everything he's saying (He doesn't deliver great notes on the board). You guys don't even need to read the entire book. The professor gives study guides for both midterm and final, and they tell you exactly which book questions he will be asking about, so you only need to read what's pertinent to the questions. Most of the material will come from lecture notes, though. The final exam is on the last day of lecture, which is cool cause that's one less final to worry about in Finals Week.

Also, he's extremely preachy. He tries to apologize for it, but he says something overtly political in EVERY lecture. That may or may not matter- most people on campus are liberal. But it's a bit silly to be tested on safe-sex matters in a geography class. He can be a bit crude as well, often referencing "topless beaches." He likes to be the "gnarly" professor.

Overall, it is a pretty easy class, though. You're graded fairly easily with the labs and Powerpoint presentation. And the professor always gives some sort of extra credit, which makes the class easier than it already is.

Professor Gillespie's Geo 5 is a super easy and interesting GE course (either north or south campus). Go to lecture and take solid notes. Memorize those and the study guide he gives thoroughly (it's not TOO much info) before the 50 or so multiple choice mid-term and final and you'll get an A. Make sure to go to lab and thoroughly complete all the assignments there -- don't slack or you could lose easy points. Also do the powerpoint project at the end well and get those easy points. The textbook is non-honors high-school (if not middle-school) level, as is the overall course, but it's also interesting. Gillespie is an asset to UCLA and us undergraduate students -- plus he submitted where he thinks Bin Laden to the FBI! (look him up on youtube). I thought the course could have been structured in a manner that moved away from memorization towards a lasting understanding of the issues that face our planet, but I'm still really glad I took it.

Professor Gillespie is awesome! I love going to lectures because he always makes it interesting with stories and funny jokes. The book was great--a very easy read. Do well on the labs...they are actually really easy and can help your grade out a lot. The presentation seems like a lot of work at first, but it's fun and goes by fast. I highly recommend this class! I got a A- easily.

fun and easy class! take this! I recommend it for freshmen if you want time to adjust to the quarter system! selling his textbook for Geography 5 for cheap! contact *************

Geog 5 is one of my favorite classes taken at UCLA. Gillespie's lecturing skills are superb, I thoroughly enjoyed going to lecture every monday and wednesday and listening to what he had to say. He made the material fun to learn and I actually enjoyed studying. The midterm and final were 52 multiple choice questions and he gave us a study guide before both. The labs were fairly simple yet helpful, and the presentations at the end were very insightful. I would definitely recommend Gillespie for any student considering taking him.

Midterm = 1 hr of study
Final = 2 hrs of study
Labs = virtually non-existent, and only 4 hours on an EASY powerpoint

EASIER than highschool, but sooo mcuh fun, TAKE HIM

Professor Gillespie guest lectured in my cluster when I was a freshman. I knew I had to take a class from him.

Little did I know that he would be the best professor I have ever had the experience of knowing/learning from. Not only is he absolutely hilarious, but he really inspires his students and illustrates the relevance of all his topics beautifully. He makes going to class fun, and I cannot wait to take more classes from him.

His midterm and final for this class were both 52 multiple choice questions, and the average on the midterm was an 89%. If you put even minimal effort into the class, you will probably get an A... ESPECIALLY if you have ANY background or interest in the material AT ALL. I loved this class SO much. There are easy labs, and my TA (Christine Zuhlsdorf) was great. Easy lab assignments which compliment the class well (pretty much all done in class) and a final group project on an ecosystem (I did mangroves in Africa) which everybody does well on.

Gillespie's stories are hilarious, and he sometimes even gives people money/extra credit for exploring the topic on/off campus! (looking for plants, etc.)

TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS! TAKE THIS CLASS!

You will not regret it. I promise. I just declared as an Geography/Environmental Studies major, and I want to take all of his classes!

Do not take Geo5 unless it is with Dr. Gillespie. He is an intelligent man and is truly passionate about the work he does, as well as teaching it to his students. I had such a great time in his class. His lectures are engaging, so it isn't common to see people start snoozing away (you usually only do in his class if you are legitimately tired out from the day/week). His labs involve a lot of hands on activities, such as exploring the botanical gardens and seeking out trees behind the res halls.

Labs, midterm, and final. Multiple choice, and a map for the midterm. He gives you a study guide beforehandl it's up to YOU to study the material and just reproduce it on the exam.

One thing I will say though is that he does often throw a lot of offensive jokes, especially concerning race. However, he is merely entertaining the large majority of students that will chuckle at a small joke. Though I did not appreciate all of his jokes, I did enjoy a few that did light up the room. I wouldn't take things personally.