It's hard to know where you stand in this class. I learned that he was grading on a curve well into the quarter, and even if that information was in the syllabus, the syllabus itself consisted of paragraph after paragraph that urged me to end it all.

Professor Newman is knowledgeable. He really, truly knows what he's talking about, and what the class really lacked was structure. Football dude-bros would be cheating on the clicker exams straight up in his face and the professor would say nothing, but two people had their phone out and then he got mad. I mean for all I know the people could have been cheating, but it was just frustrating that there'd be students blatantly talking about the answers in front of his face and the Professor wouldn't say anything.

One of the two biggest things in this class is the field trip, and that was pretty fun. But please don't ask him what time the class will be back. The same thing he will reply with will be something along the lines of not being able to predict the 405. Vazquez Rocks was beautiful though, and then the other locations were pretty okay - it just felt like one stop-over, though.

The other biggest thing is that there are two papers. Both extremely vague. Protip: Ask the T.A. any questions you might have because you're better off actually getting an answer that way. There's only one T.A. in the class.

But onto another frustrating thing. The discussion section consisted of presentations. Do yourself a favor and ASK him what he expects because Professor Newman did not say anything about his expectations (but proceeded to grade us w them) until about sixth week.

He went on to say that there would be no final or midterm, but don't relax because the clicker quizzes are extremely detailed. He wants the specifics. So expect to know the tiniest details of everything read in the three chapters assigned for the day.

Guest speakers came frequently at the beginning of the quarter. Whatever they say will be in the clicker quizzes. Three weeks later.

The class had a lot of potential, and I'd say to just check it out and then decide if you want to stay.

Newman will talk you to death during lectures, the information provided during lectures is hardly useful. The only things you need to pay attention to in this class is the discussion class. The tests are tough, there is a lot of writing, and you will find yourself looking up all the answers to all the long assignments. This class is way too hard for what it's worth. The only reason we took this class was for the diversity requirement. It is not worth taking. It is interesting, but too difficult, just look at the previous grades in the quarter for yourself. He is not afraid to fail a third of the class..

Took this class with 3 of my friends and of us three I got a B-, anther friend got a C+, and my last fried got a D+. This class has a deceivingly difficult Midterm and Final.

I really liked this class and I found it to be one of my favorite classes. There is a mandatory field trip that takes place on one Saturday. The class consists of 5 multiple choice quizzes which seem to be easy, but they are harder than they seem. The professor is a good and well-known professor.