This class is so interesting and one of my favorite classes so far at UCLA. Presner is a great teacher and his class really isn't that hard. I think these reviews are old so they say his final is terrible but it's actually pretty chill. There are alot of readings but you actually want to read the material so it doesn't matter. I would def recommend this class!

p.s. I've never written or felt the need to write a review...until i took this class

Presner is a stud. The best class I've taken at UCLA so far. Took it Winter quarter of my freshman year (a time when i never went to lectures and barely studied and some how got by) and i actually went to all lectures because they were INTERESTING. He's incredibly smart and knows what he's talking about. If you can, DEFINITELY take Presner before you leave.

If you get the chance to take german 59... DO IT. It is hands down my favorite class I have taken at UCLA thus far. It changes the way you think, and the way you look at people. It's not some boring history class where you learn about the events of the Holocaust, but instead is an analysis of different media survivors use to express their experiences. It is not a difficult class, and Prof Presner is always enthusiastic and entertaining. Plus the lectures are webcast, but that shouldn't stop you from going to lecture. I hardly took notes in class, it was easier to just listen and absorb the material. Definitely take this class if you can.

Simply, this class rocks. The professor is really passionate and positive about the material, it is not hard, and the reading is interesting. There are five 2 page papers, midterm, and final. The midterm is take home and the final is about 6 short answer and 2 essays, but do the reading and you're set. You don't just memorize dates, you analyze movies, poetry, memoirs, and novels about the Holocaust. There is also a comparative genocide portion with Samantha Power's book which is really interesting. Presner is so cool, easy to take to, and he comes to class with a smile on his face EVERYDAY! One of the best classes I took at UCLA. It changes your outlook on life and how you treat others. Definitely take this one.

This class was actually rather rigorous and I was fairly stressed out throughout the quarter. However, Presner assigned such fascinating works, that I consider it one of the most invaluable classes I've taken at UCLA. You will learn something amazing and your perceptions about human nature WILL change. Getting an A was important for me as a pre-law student, but I would still recommend this class if I had done worse. Take it, this class is amazing.

Presner is a very intelligent man, and he is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the material covered in class. This is a good course to take, but it is not as easy as it used to be. The workload is pretty substantial, but it isn't difficult... just tedious and time consuming. There are two papers, a midterm, some one-page response papers, and the final. My advice--be prepared for the final. It is brutually long and annoying. I was certain I'd get an A throughout the whole course; however, the final was so long that I was unable to finish the essays in time, and I ended up getting a B+ in the class. Kinda sucks considering I'd carried an A the whole quarter only to kill my grade because of the length...but not much I can do. I still think the class was worth taking, but just be warned it isn't the easy A it used to be.

Ok I'll make this short and easy to read so you will actually look at it:

- This class is fascinating
- All the material is SO manageable and very interesting (a couple films and 3 books)
- If you attend and pay attention lecture, you will Ace the class, finals and midterms are structured only after what he has covered in great detail
- You will learn a lot not only about the holocaust, but you will also walk away with a more critical eye of film, poetry, and literature

Only word of advice, its the TAs who are in charge of your grade so definitely discuss and attend in discussion, email them your thesises for the essays so you know they approve. But essays really can be drawn from lecture notes.

Definitely one of my favorite classes I've taken at UCLA. I did put in some study time, but I was confident of my A the entire time.

WOW. What an awesome class, no lecture was ever boring. Prof Presner is a wonderful professor. I highly recommend enrolling in german 89, the honors section for 59. You get to take an extra section with the prof and you get to have some in depth discussions with him. It's easy to get a good grade in the class if you do all the work. But don't think this class is just a breeze. There is A TON of work to keep up with. By far my most time consuming class; lots of reading, short papers, and long long movie screenings. Despite all the work, I highly recommend this class. Presner is a great lecturer, I mean this is only his 3rd year teaching this class and look how popular it is already!

Well, I read all these reviews and took this German 59 thinking it would be a fairly easy GE and interesting to boot. But in fact he has lots of silly little assignments and all of his essay questions and exam questions are so broad that it's ridiculous to answer them in a page. I find that this class is way more work that it's worth - the film screenings, the useless section, and the boring lectures. Plus, he attempts to have a class discussion in a huge lecture which just seems pointless and a waste of valuable lecutre time. Plus, he gives you a THREE hour final for only 25% of your grade with no break. Overall, I think he's made this class a lot tougher from previously and it's not the easy A class it used to be.

Professor Presner is amazing. This was by far one of the most interesting classes I have taken. His lecutres are captivating and you can tell that he is very passionate about the subject matter. Presner really cares about the students and wants everyone to do well. If you can take a class with him I would highly recommend it!