John Schechter - University of California Santa Cruz

Professor: John Schechter

Department: Music

College: University of California Santa Cruz

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: WMUSWMUS
• 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:

I really enjoyed Professor Schechter, but does anyone know what happened to him? He quit halfway through a quarter a couple years ago, and no one will tell me why or how he's doing. Just rumors....I'm about to graduate and I would really like to know how John is doing, if any one knows, thanks.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC30A
• 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 had Schechter as an undergrad and as a grad. He's one of the most serious, dedicated teachers (I could tell you stories that would blow your mind..) If you think that world music isn't as important as classical music, you won't get him. But if you appreciate his radical earnestness, you'll be in intellectual heaven. The exp is yours to make.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC80
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst class I have EVER taken from UCSC. It was NOT worth the three GE's. I hated this class and the prof. The material was boring and useless. Class was a waste of time. The book was written by him! No wonder he wants us to buy it! I HATE THIS CLASS.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC80F
• 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:

Music in Latin America wasn't all I expected it to be... but it was still worth the 3 GE's in my opinion. I didn't like that it didn't cover many different types of music; it just went really in-depth into a handful of types. Going to class and at least skimming the reading is pretty necessary, and would have helped my grade.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUISC11D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Really nice and helpful. Very fun class. Don't miss a lecture or you'll miss out on a lot. Don't really need the textbook, so don't bother buying it. He explains everything thoroughly in lecture. No sections.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC11D
• 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:

Schechter is so awesome!!! No sections, so grade is based entirely on easy midterm and final, but he will tell you everything you need to know for them + you will learn interesting things about world music. I give him extra points for awesome lecture activities (getting 400 people to do African drumming on desks can't be easy) + saying "NEW PAGE!"

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSC11D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

John is incredibly interesting! I had no idea when I signed up a GE would become my favorite class. John outlines for you exactly what he wants you to know, he doesn't curve but as long as you go to class and actually listen you'll get an A. He even reviews with you the day before the test and writes down everything that is going to be important.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC80F
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was probably the most boring class i have ever taken! It was so early and I barely understood him, it sounded like he was speaking a different language. It satisfies 3 GEs and thats the best part about it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC11D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Take this class if you can take oral notes. Bringing a recorder helps a lot. Schechter is a good lecturer. Interesting class too. All you need to do well on his midterm/final(all mc) is to memorize his notes (that is why you need to go to class everyday)and listen to the cds. I got an A+. It's NOT hard.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC11D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had to take the class twice and let me tell you its not easy at all. Going through the class the 1st time was brutal enough beacuse he is so boring. I went to his office once for help but he fed me useless information that I already knew about. If you want the 3 GEs, take different subjects because his class was horrible.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC11D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I wouldn't recommend taking this class if you want an easy A. I was lucky that I passed the class with a C. The tests are extremely hard because there are so much materials. It is impossible to memorize so many tribes and so on. Don't risk it. Many of my friends failed and have to repeat the class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC11D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I wouldn't recommend taking this class if you want an easy A. I was lucky that I passed the class with a C. The tests are extremely hard because there are so much materials. It is impossible to memorize so many tribes and so on. Don't risk it. Many of my friends failed and have to repeat the class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC80
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took Music of Latin America and i really sucks! If you are interested in Latin America and music, take the class, if not DONT TAKE THE CLASS! Yea,it covers 3 GE's, but still it was SO BORING! I feel asleep for most of the class, I finally stop going! Wondering eyes, will get you at least a C in the class. Pay attention and read gets u an A.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

sooo funny and weird. The class is basically this: he plays certain songs from whichever genre we're learning about at the time, then tells you about 100 times what we need to know it. and every once in a while if you're lucky he'll sing or play one of the instruments. :) He's passionate, inspiring, and really eccentric. no section is nice.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSC80X
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Latin American music was engaged as a survey across many cultures and regions. I learned a lot. Simple course: read the book, ERES articles and average the two test scores. If lucky, Schechter may even perform the Cumbia on stage like he did for us. Guest performers in the field added a realism to the course which was intriguing.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSC80F
• 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:

A passionate Professor and an engages students. Really interesting...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC80K
• 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:

John made a boring subject interesting. I had absolutely no interest in learning about Native American music but he really made it enjoyable. He was always willing to help. If you go to class it should be easy. If you don't go do the readings. He is sweet and dances to the music. Take the class and he'll give you a big gold star on your forehead.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC11D
• 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:

This was a very fun class! It covered three GE's and was very interesting. John knows his stuff! It was very cool to see a prof be so passionate about what he teaches. Go to class, read, study the review sheets, and the class should be no prob. Highly recommend this class!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUSC11D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Schecter is so passionate about the subject he teaches, which makes him a very interesting teacher. I am completely uninterested in the music we listened to, but the material was not bad, especially if you go to lecture. I didn't open my book once this quarter.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC11D
• 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:

He was an awesome professor!! He gets so excited about everything and somehow got the class to participate even though there were 400 of us. The class itself was pretty easy, the grade was based on the midterm and final, and if you go to class and read all 8 chapters assigned, you'll do fine. This was definetly the most engaging big lecture class.