Michael Watts - University of California Berkeley

Professor: Michael Watts

Department: TBD

College: University of California Berkeley

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEOGRAPHY130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

By far the best professor I have had. He really was passionate about his work and the students in the zoom class. I would definitely take him again if I had the chance!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GLOBAL10A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Watts was so passionate & energetic every single class. Youll really have to get used to taking notes off what he says, not necessarily based off the slides (mostly pictures and charts). Tons of reading each week but the class is honestly worth taking for Watts enthusiasm and expertise alone. Two midterm quizzes, take home final, 2 papers

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GS10A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I LOVE THIS PROFESSOR. He literally opened my eyes to a new world. By far my favorite professor so far at CAL. He is very passionate about his work and he isn't afraid to make his students think outside the box. I hated that people would not show up because they always missed out on this brilliant mind. Take him plz.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GLOBALSTDC10A
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

super passionate and aware of different global issues happening around the world. Lectures are not mandatory but are encouraged by the GSIs and the professor himself since if they make more sense when you sit down and take notes. The assignments are heavy on the content and the take home final is absolutely dreadful: a 16 page paper (4 essays)

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GLOBAL10A
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He deserves more credit than he is given. I was worried about taking his class at the beginning but he quickly went from my least favorite professor to my favorite when he showed that he cared about my grade. I had a terrible GSI. His lectures are amazing but your GSI will make or break your grade here. Go to his office hours, go to class and pass.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loved GS/DS 10A. His lectures are a little intense/ highkey, not uncommon for him to hold eye contact with you while gesticulating about some country's state of development. Super great content if you're interested in gs/ir/development though and he really knows what he's talking about. Skipping lectures is possible but you start to get lost

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: DEVST10
• 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:

Watts is probably one of the most passionate lecturers at Berkeley. He is a bit disorganized but exciting to listen to. The class covers major issues that really change your perspective of the world. If you find the material interesting, this could be one of your favorite classes. Lots of readings and papers, but definitely worth the work.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

absolutely inspiring experience. so far the best professor encountered at Berkeley. Very understanding and humorous. Lectures are exciting, though packed with information. He does go on tangents, but they are mostly relevant. 10/10 recommend. Grading is not too difficult. Lots of writings though.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: DECSTUDC10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors at this school. Very willing to help, encouraging, and inspiring. Watt's lectures were always enthralling and fast-paced. Enjoyed this class so much, decided to pursue this field as my major.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: DEVST10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Watts could be one of the best professors you'll have. Some people may get turned off by how he goes off on tangents, but I think it adds to the open-ended nature of the class. A great lecturer--he combines intellect with passion very well. And, he is very good at introducing food for thought on any subject. He goes above and beyond on every point.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: DEVST10
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Michael is a great guy, who is VERY passionate about this subject. He would get carried away and go on long rants often, and while reading his slides he would cut off mid-sentence quite often and skip around slides which made it hard to follow at times. Overall, I recommend the class and him but be prepared to learn some material on your own.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lots of reading (all on bourses) but he highlights the key ones so its not too bad. Good intro course to development. Participation is 40% of your grade so be prepared to NEVER miss a discussion. Policy is flexible though (you can make it up in another section). Sometimes lectures are poorly planned/structured so he repeats and gets behind.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEOGRAPHY130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Students in Watts' class are pretty well won over by his British accent and his cool lecturing style. But scratch the surface of this guy (as I did in the rare times that he was accessible)) and you find someone deeply elitist and "political" only in theoretically! condescending to those actively engaged in policy or real struggle.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: DECSTUDC10
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was hands down my most enjoyable class this semester. The reading may seem overwhelming at first, but if you spread it out and work on every paper ahead of time, you're good to go. He is extremely passionate about what he teaches and every student in his class clearly enjoyed having him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took DS 10, may seem overwhelming at first, due to the sheer amount of information, but this class is a MUST TAKE. One of the most inspiring professors and extremely interesting material. Helps you delve into ongoing world events as well as the history behind many things happening. Work load is okay, reading is alot, but is a rewarding class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

As a biology major with little knowledge or interest in the developing world, Watts changed my freshman year experience. He is insanely passionate, spitting and dropping f-bombs and running multiple trains of thought. For someone that can handle a little crazy, he has to be one of the coolest professors of Berkeley. I would take this class again

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was seriously thinking of transferring out off Berkeley until I took DS 10. Professor Watts made me decided to stay in this school. His class should seriously be a requirement for all incoming freshmen...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• 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:

Professor Watts is brilliant! I loved this class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• 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:

One of my fav professors at Cal. I am so glad i took his class and got to know him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: DS10
• 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:

Wonderful professor, wonderful person. He is engaging and makes you think about the world in a way you never have before. Lovely environment for questions and concerns. I'm planning on taking many more classes with him and I'm an MCB major. I highly recommend him!