Paul Spickard - University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA

Professor: Paul Spickard

Department: History

College: University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST164IB
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Spickard's classes are not your average history classes. He tells it how it is and this probably offends many people. His classes WILL change your perspective on history, race, ethnicity, and social issues. He is a professor who genuinely cares about his students, and is passionate about his subject

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST164
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Spickard DOES NOT TEACH HISTORY COURSES in the contemporary sense. Took his "History of Immigration" class and we just talked about the weekly news and our thoughts and opinions on it. Barely learned anything in his class aside from his opinion on things. DON'T TAKE HIS CLASS IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HISTORY OR HISTORICAL EVENTS LIKE ME.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Spickard is a great professor!! He makes history interesting and will keep you entertained. His classes are not boring. There is a lot of reading for this class but they are really interesting. Midterm and final are simple IDs and essay(s). One paper that you get to choose the topic for. Better hope you get a good TA.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 168D
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Loved this upper division class. Really got to help me with my own identity. Really showed his passion to teach and his love for his students. 100% recommend to anyone looking for a good professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 2C
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Paul Spickard is by far the best professor I have had at UCSB. Shows the real side of history (which is why some people do not like him) but is all backed up with facts. Left lecture every time enriched with new information that I never knew I would need. Definitely a tough class but you will fall in love with it and won't mind doing it at all! :)

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The worst professor I have ever had at UCSB. Taught his opinions as fact and frequently rambled on and on. His lectures were incredibly disorganized and lots of stuff on the final and midterm were pieces of material that we did not even go over in class. First UCSB class that I ever fell asleep in. Avoid Professor Spickard at all costs.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIS2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are not at all interested in the subject, I do not recommend this professor. The class is weirdly structured and the amount of reading/ preparation for the final is ridiculous

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Please don't take this class. Whenever I went to lecture I left thinking it was a waste of time. I would consider this class one of the bigger mistakes I made this year. No technology policy and if Spickard sees it he will humiliate you in front of the class. His lectures are disorganized and there is so much reading its not possible to do it all

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was looking forward to 2C because I like modern history but maybe Spickard is just not the professor for me. Lectures and sections can be very dry. No technology in lecture or section, not even to take notes or he'll take it and embarrass you in front of the 500 students in the lecture hall. There is a considerable amount of reading as well.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIS2C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was refreshing. I didn't take many notes in this class. Mainly just show up to lecture and listen to an extremely different perspective on history. One long paper that can basically be about anything so it isn't hard and an easy midterm and final. Spickard will definitely keep you entertained.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIS2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is inspirational and opinionated which some may like, but his lecture style is a mess. There is no structure to it. Lots of reading and 6-8 pg essay. Midterm and final are IDs and essay based off readings and lectures. If you work hard you'll get a good grade, but definitely not an easy GE. Wouldn't recommend unless you absolutely need to take.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He teaches his own view of history rather than what is in the books. He even teaches a few things that specifically contradict what was taught in 2B. He's entertaining, but he's pretty opinionated and will teach his opinions as fact. Sometimes, lectures never even make it to the actual subject matter of the class. Lectures are worthless.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My favorite professor at UCSB. Such a phenomenal human who gives insight on so many different topics in order to see things from a different perspectives. Lots of books, but be sure to have a good idea about the books stressed in class. Definitely need to do extra work to earn an A, but it's a straight forward class. Would recommend to everyone.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: INT942X
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Took his freshman seminar "what white people need to know" purely because I needed the credit to be full time. Spickard is an incredible man, completely passionate about the subject, as well as caring about all his students. He was the professor I turned to during the IV tragedy, and I cannot thank him enough for his help. Much love for you prof!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The reading is extensive especially during the Summer. I wouldn't recommend this class for anyone who is afraid of other people's views. The best part of the class is being able to choose your own topic for the term paper. Spickard keeps everyone entertained, or at least disgusted from pictures of slavery/genocide/etc.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

don't like his lecture style

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the most naturally intelligent professors at UCSB. Teaches a narrow yet gratifying overview of world history, while incorporating life lessons in reading, writing, and speech. Spickard was passionate and left an impression every lecture. Bravo sir, bravo.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• 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:

Honestly, this class will change your life if you let it. Spickard is trying to teach you about perspective and perception and flips your world. You get as much as you put into this class. He makes lecture worth it. He talks about broad ideas in lecture and the the readings makes his presentations more concise.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Spickard is an amazing teacher. You may choose to not do the reading and come out okay but it enhances the overall impact of the course material 10 fold (aka: do it!!). Spickard shakes your foundations in a good way and makes you imagine the historical perspective through factuality while proving that one's subjectivity provides one's humanity.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Jason Linn was an awesome TA, the best I have ever had at UCSB. I hardly ever read but his sections were helpful. Lectures were a waste of time, I never went. Got a B+. Spickard is a smart interesting guy but it really depends on your TA