Haruko Sakakibara - University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Professor: Haruko Sakakibara

Department: Languages

College: University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FRS01
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The ikebana seminar was fun and relaxing and you learn a lot about Japanese culture. Sign up for it if you can! Freshman seminars also focus a lot on college success so you'll learn some tips here and there about how to network, meet professors, etc. There are a few short papers about videos and a presentation but overall very entertaining

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: JPN4
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She. is. very. blunt. If she doesn't think you have it, she'll tell you. Other than that, she's very helpful.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JPN4
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I'm a transfer student and I was worried after seeing these reviews. It's been 2 days but the professor is really really nice. There is quite a bit of work, but the professor is perfect and makes the entire class laugh. I would give her a B+

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JPN006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Sakakibara sensei is a very kind person and puts in a lot of effort for her students. The workload and quizzes/ tests are challenging but is manageable if you set yourself a goal. Don't hesitate to go to office hours because it helps a lot. Also, use all of the resources she puts on Smartsite because it helps!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JPN042
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great teacher; not easy though. Class is fast paced, but she explains things really well. It feels like you get a deeper understanding of the grammar and kanji. Just always have to bring your A-game or you'll fall behind.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FRS002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Had her for FRS: Japanese Culture & Visual Arts. Fun and easy 1-unit class. You watch videos, write short papers, learn calligraphy, make a clay pot, arrange flowers, etc. Final presentations were fun, too. The prof is very nice, and reminds me of a mother figure. She even brings food (mochi, rice crackers, California rolls) on certain days!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JPN006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

In comparison to the other teacher I had for Intermediate JPN, she was a lot harder in terms of workload. The chapter tests were about 3+ pages long and there were constantly additional projects to do alongside homework. However, it was a fun class. She's generally very helpful and constantly reviews grammar structures (new & past material).

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: JPN004
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She's a really good teacher. She works really hard to make sure we're getting a good quality education in the Japanese language. Also, she's always willing to help. However, she is no easy A.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: JPN4
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Her various philosophical soapboxes were annoying and unnecessary. Likes to give HW that really does not help in learning JPN. Not really hard tho if you self-study. I would also assert that her "words of wisdom" tangents had some mildly offending undercurrents if one thinks about it. If anything, they were borderline insults...

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JPN005
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I really enjoyed Sakakibara sensei's class. She really wants the students to understand the material and puts a lot of work into every lesson. I like that she puts her power points online, which is very helpful. I also like that she always has some words of wisdom for us. She is a very nice person and tries to help also out of class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: JPN5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Unlike other senseis, Sakakibara sensei may seem harder, but I felt like I had actually learned the language better in the end because of that. Plus, Sakakibara sensei really cares for us and is really passionate with teaching. So she's a great professor to take if you really want to learn the language.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JPN004
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Pushes hard and demands you to get it right. May seem difficult at the time, but the point is that you will actually learn Japanese by taking her courses. I think she is great!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: JPN4
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Busywork galore. Doesn't try to understand you when you have a problem. Uses Kanji we aren't supposed to know in our level. VERY harsh on people. At least half the class dreaded going every day. Her ending speech to us: "if you get a C from me, change your major" Very disorganized. I bet all those good reviews are from sensei herself. Discouraging.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: JPN006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Learning a language is rigorous and Sakakibara Sensei's class is no different. You'll have to put in the work to receive the grade here. What I love about her is that she is a very understanding and caring person, she is someone you can honestly talk to.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: JPN04
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

One of the best professor here at UC Davis, however her class is not an easy A class. You'll have to work for your grade. Always go to class and ask questions when you are confuse. Most students might be scare to go talk to her, but don't be. If you have the time, get to know her. You'll find that she is very helpful in the class and outside.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: JPN03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Honestly, one of the best professors at UCDavis. She created an environment where it was easy to learn and ask questions. She was always genuinely concerned about her students' progress and would adjust her teaching to our needs. If you do your work and pay attention in class, you can get a good grade in her class

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: JPN006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Sakakibara-Sensei is one of those rare professors that honestly cares about her students. She always encouraged us to try our best, make mistakes, and have a good attitude, and she also made time outside of class to tutor me on specific problems. Japanese is a tough subject, but of the eight quarters I took it my best grades were in her class!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: JPN6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Sakakibara Sensei is one of the best japanese teachers in davis. Her class isnt hard and if you just follow her daily schedule then you would know what to study for the daily quizzes. I had her for a whole year and I didnt think her class was unorganized. She followed her schedule pretty well.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: JPN006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

One of the best things about Sakakibara Sensei, is her earnest desire to teach willingness to help students inside and outside the classroom. She genuinely cares for her students and if you have the strength to make mistakes and ask questions, you will learn so much from her class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: JPN006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Sakakibara-Sensei is the best professor from my whole college career. She goes above and beyond what is necessary for the class, creating supplemental materials where she feels the textbook is week. Beyond her teaching ability, she was a wonderful person, and cares for her students outside of the classroom. I am grateful that I was in her class.