The lecture was okay. The writing assignments were much easier compared to what I expected. You do read a lot (if you actually do), but just listen to the lectures and attend discussions for a good grade. This class was enjoyable.

Although her lectures can be a bit dry, Professor Toyota is great. She is really nice during office hours and tries to get you genuinely interested in social studies. Because she was a news journalist, she is very knowledgeable and tells personal stories.

Your grade is composed of a midterm and three papers. The midterm is pretty easy because she gives you study questions. If you answer the questions and study it, you'll be fine. The first two papers are very simple; it's only one page and you answer four questions. The last paper is your "final" and is only 5 pages.

This class isn't too bad in terms of workload. She assigns readings every week. The first half of the readings are important because it relates to the midterm; the second half aren't that important because you can just read the ones that directly relate to your paper. Most people just stopped showing up to lecture after the midterm.

All in all, it was a good GE. Should be an easy A if you do your work.

Although Professor Toyota can be repetitive since she would summarize the assigned readings, she is still a great professor since she would share her stories as a former journalist and emphasize how social science skills are necessary and are still used out there in the vast variety of jobs. The readings she assigned were excellent choices because they were interesting to read. And the book she told to us to buy isn't necessary, but I would buy it since it has some interesting articles to read if you're highly interested in Asian American communities. To supplement the readings, she would show us videos or invite guest speakers.

The grade of the class is usually composed of an in-class essay midterm based on the assigned readings and two assignments that contribute to your final essay. The workload isn't heavy unless you plan to keep up with the readings. Furthermore, if you think this would be an easy solid A, you have to understand the grading requirements of your TA. I should had received a B+ in the class, but I got an A- instead since Professor Toyota promised a grade bump if your TA recognized you for participating in or showing up for discussions.

As a professor, she's alright. I found her lectures to be a bit dry and repetitive, but she does throw in some humor once in a while and she does have a lot of knowledge about Asian American communities.

Your grade is made up of a "community narrative" (a proposal, a draft, and a final paper) and a midterm. The midterm is composed of questions that relate to the assigned readings.

You need to incorporate 5 readings into your final paper, but unless you can't read, there really is no point in going to lecture after the midterm.

Oh. And don't buy the book. It's a waste of $11. You won't touch it; I promise.