This class is basically memorization of time periods and participation in discussion. I showed up to every single lecture and I think that the information from lecture was the only thing really needed to do well in the class. The textbook reading isn't very necessary if you show up to class. Lectures sometimes have videos and music which makes them interesting. Professor Duthie brings up some discussion points in the lecture that are insightful. He could get a little boring now and then, but I enjoyed his class and I thought it was an okay GE.

I can't comment on Professor Duthie's ability as a professor since I stopped going to class the latter half of the quarter, and when I did go, all I did was sleep or do homework, but as a GE class, this class was fairly easy.

The grading scheme was 30% class participation, which was split into 15% for discussion responses that are due each week before section, and 15% participation. Participation is actually taken very seriously, as Duthie has a point system for it (but my TA never really showed any effort at taking down names for participation points, so it could have been just my section).

Then there's a 35% midterm and a 35% final. The final and the midterm were the exact same format. There was a short answer part, which was 5 questions that you answer with ~10 sentences, with topics that range from describing a certain time period, or describing important historical events. He has you choose from 3 "categories" and you pick 1-2 questions from each category. Then there was 15 "identities", of which you choose 10 and identify them in a few sentences (3-4). Then there was the primary text identification, where he puts a paragraph from the primary text you read for discussion, and you identify it with the name, author, date, and what its about. He gives a study guide of sorts telling you the format of the test and what can be on it.

As said before, it is completely unnecessary to go to lecture. Reading the textbook/primary texts will give you all of the information to do well on the exams. My class never got a writing assignment as mentioned in earlier posts, so maybe Duthie will change it around a bit next time.

All in all, as long as you don't mind reading alot and exams consisting entirely of writing, then take this class with Duthie.

Even though I did not have much interest in Japanese Civilizations, I found that his lectures were very well prepared, filled with videos, sounds, and images to make them informative and entertaining. The readings for the discussion sections as well as the suggested reading from the textbook amounted to a lot of reading, although the readings for the sections were fairly entertaining. Pretty easy GE, although there is quite a bit of information to memorize for the midterm and final (non-cumulative).

Great teacher, easy class...
Honestly, lectures and reading the book is not necessary at all, but his lectures are interesting. At first I did all the readings, but after the midterm I realized I didn't have to. You do have to, however, read the outside readings. I got 100% on both my midterm and final. All you have to do is study the exam guides he provides you two days before the test. SERIOUSLY, EVERYTHING ON THE STUDY GUIDE IS ON THE EXAMS VERBATIM. There's only one writing assignment, but he reveals that it is only a grade booster and that everyone who does it receives an A. Discussions are the only mandatory component to this class and remember to participate a lot, because it's 20% of your grade. Overall great class and is very interesting, especially if you are interested in the Japanese culture.

Test Format:
-First section: Five short paragraphs on anything from cultural development to dynasty description
-Second section: Define 10 out of 15 terms/keywords
-Third section: Give/Identify the author, date, title, and short description of the outside readings.

You TA will pretty much determine your grade, since they grade your responses, participation and your tests. The only thing Duthie grades is you response paper, which he admits he will give you full credit if you turn it in (barring that it is no complete BS.)

Nice guy, though lectures can get pretty boring. A pretty easy GE course.

When I took this course freshman year, it was his first time teaching it. Even so, he did a great job! The lectures were interesting and he mixed it up a lot so there were videos too. The material was not hard, just memorize what's on the midterm and final review sheets and you'll get a good grade. What you put in will reflect your grade in the class.

As said below, Duthie builds his class around learning rather than grading. You could reasonably skip the lectures and just use the study guide he emails out. It has all the possible questions. The midterm and final are basically the same format and length, not cumulative. The TAs determine your grade so either hope you get a nice one or talk a lot in discussion (attendance and participation in discussions count towards your grade). He assigns a good amount of reading (20-50 pages per week + textbook) so if you don't particularly care for Japanese history it will bog you down and you do need to read for the tests as well as discussion.

Duthie has a British accent and talks fast but he's usually easy to understand and has a good sense of humor. He likes to show pictures and short video clips, which helped keep me awake. It should be an easy A if you do most of the work. I give him an 8/10 overall.

Prof Duthie is totally awesome! He's super chill and wants people to learn for the sake of learning and not for GPA's. So like, his class isnt hard, but it isnt easy. Basically, if you put in the work for your grade, you'll get the one you deserve. You wont study hard and then get a crappy grade.