<p>I am an exchange student here. I already take 3 upper level science classes, and I want to take one class in social sciences. Due to classtime overlap, I think I will choose between two. One is a lower level history class and the other is upper level history class. Upper level course has a superb subject, BUT the problem is English is not my native language and I don't want to struggle extremely for essays. Any suggestion about how challenging the writing assignments at Berkeley are? How would compare the lower level and upper level history classes overall? (I know it's a bit late to ask)</p>
<p>In my experience,</p>
<p>A lower-div history class:
-combination of lecture and discussion
-short book list (maybe 1-2 novels assigned?)
-reading every week and short assignments due every so often
-short papers without research, 5-7 pages
-final is mostly IDs (a word/ concept is given, and you write about its significance)</p>
<p>An upper-div history class:
-mostly lecture
-extensive book list (maybe 5 novels assigned?)
-reading every week
-long research (term) paper, 10-15 pages
-writing-intensive midterm and final (IDs, short response, long essay)</p>
<p>I actually prefer upper-div classes, just because the classes are usually smaller, and you can choose when to do your reading, even during the week before an exam – there are no small assignments due that require you to do the readings regularly.</p>
<p>For students who are good writers, they’ll find that getting an A or B in an upperdiv history class is the same amount of work, basically, as the lower divs. </p>
<p>I say just sign up for any interesting upper-div history class.</p>