I took this during spring COVID quarter (online), so just keep that in mind.
Peris seems like a really nice guy, and was super accomodating through all the craziness going on in the world. He lessened our workload, and the midterm was really fair considering all the content we went over. He made the final optional and eased the grading scale a bunch, too. His lectures were engaging and funny at times, and he even connected his lectures to some current events, which was interesting. I really enjoyed his approach to the class.

PS he did get in trouble for saying the n-word while reading MLK's Birmingham letter during the George Floyd protests. He obviously shouldn't have done it, and it was hurtful people (esp BIPOC) even though he emphasized that he was saying it for historical context, and not to be malicious. His apology seemed genuine, and if it wasn't for that, I think he would really represent UCLA well as a full time prof.

I enjoyed taking this class with Professor Peris, and the timing of the course in the context of the subject matter of Congress and the events of early 2021 made for a particularly exciting and engaging course. Professor Peris' class was very straightforward and his lectures were organized (and recorded). I feel as though I learned a lot and the workload was light. No large writing assignments besides 8 weekly reports on a committee in Congress, but these were not overly time consuming. Optional quizzes and the midterm/final were straightforward if you studied (and likely not horrible even if you did not review, as he also held reviews in class).