Interesting Instructors(and their courses)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Sitting here, waiting for my scripts to finish running, I've decided to share a few instructors to look out for when signing up for courses. I was initially going to point out courses, but the experience depends so heavily on who's teaching it that I figured naming the actual instructors might be more useful. </p>

<p>John Campbell(Philosophy 3 - also some upper division Philosophy courses)
Great professor, encourages discussion and is very patient with students even in lecture. To top it off he has an interesting Scottish accent. The course itself is a very interesting introduction to theories of personal identity, and you might get a new perspective on who you really are after taking it. I got an A- without attending roughly 70% of the lectures(scheduling issues with office hours for an engineering course), but the average is supposed to be around a B. Still, if you pay attention and are a decent writer it is fairly easy to understand the basics of the various identity theories and get a decent grade. Highly recommended for all majors.</p>

<p>Ron Hassner(PS124A - War!)
The topic itself is interesting enough, but Hassner just takes it to the next level. He presents lectures from written notes, but they're still extremely interesting. He's got a great sense of humor and explains concepts well. Overall, the course didn't really introduce anything you probably wouldn't know from high school government/current affairs courses, but it does explore certain issues on a much deeper level. Also provides a good overview of basic IR theory, though not as deep as the actually intro IR course(PS120A). But easily the best part of the course is a 3 day UN simulation that you run late in the semester. For 2 full days running from 9AM to 12AM(yes that is midnight) or even later the class is split up into about a dozen nations and you are instructed to negotiate a treaty(or try to). Nearly everyone lets themself fall into the role they've been assigned and it's just an incredible experience overall. It's also a good icebreaker and really forces students to interact with each other. It's a pretty easy A, although it somewhat depends on your GSI. It's an incredible experience still(if Hassner teaches another course, I would definitely sign up). Again recommended for all.</p>

<p>The next two are for science/engineering types - I'm an M.E. major, but if you have no interest in math or science, you're just not going to enjoy what these guys have to offer.</p>

<p>Adrian Lee(Physics 7c) - Now 7C is a rather difficult course, dealing with subjects ranging from optics(fairly easy) to special relativity(challenging). However, with the Lee teaching it, if you work hard, you are bound to do fairly well. Prof. Lee also puts in a lot of effort towards getting you really interested in the material. He's always willing to explore any subject in more detail through e-mail or office hours. The material itself is quite interesting. But this is real science, and you do have to put in the study time to truly appreciate it. Still if you have any interest at all in learing about relativity or such, take the course with Lee, and you won't regret it. </p>

<p>Rob Ritchie(MSe 113 aka MeC124 aka Intro to materials science) - Materials science is both interesting and crucial to any good engineer. However, learning the subject is heavily dependent on the instructor, as for whatever reason, I've yet to see a decent MsE text. If you have any interest in engineering or materials, take the course with this guy. He not only teaches the material well, but ties it all in with real life. I had the unfortunate experience of not taking the class when he was instructing, but he subbed in a few times during the semester and the difference was overwhelming. I've also seen him give open presentations a couple times and he does those very well too. My suspicions have been confirmed in talking with those who took the class under him. I think E45 is a prereq to this course, but if you get to the point where you can take this course, take it. It introduces a lot of important information, and with Ritchie, you're sure to get the full benefit of the information.</p>

<p>That's all I have for now. If anyone wants to name some more good instructors for the benefit of those entering or continuing, feel free to add.</p>

2

<p>PS124A sounds interesting.. What division is it and can it satisfy a humanities for me?</p>

3

<p>First off, huge thanks for mentioning these professors. I'm still a bit lost on what classes I should be taking, and if they're fulfilling what needs to be fulfilled, etc. </p>

<p>(What I ended up doing was just picking weird classes that interested me. So I'm taking stuff from three different fields of education.)</p>

4

<p>Almost every person (and tour guide) i've ever talked to at UC Berkeley has told me to take astronomy with Filpenkov (I think that's how you spell it). He's apparently this nobel prize nominated astronomer who's really animated and really fun. He takes his students on field trips and on halloween he dresses up like a black whole and throws candy around the classroom lol. I'm not into astronomy, but that's enough to get me to want to take that class lol</p>

5

<p>^ ah I heard that too! Guess I'll take that when I have time..</p>

6

<p>PS124A is an upper division political science course. It satisfies humanities requirements, and also if taken after a lower div poli sci course or AP US gov or Foreign gov test, satisfies your Series requirement(one lower div and upper div from same humanities major). Not sure if that is required for you, but it is annoying for many engineers.</p>

7

<p>Davitt Moroney (Music 27) - Professor Moroney is the head of the music department, and he is, in my opinion, one of the finest lecturers in all of Berkeley. Sophisticated, knowledgable, funny, and always open for talk. Great way to satisfy arts breadth.</p>

<p>Alan Karras (PEIS 100) - The darling child of the PEIS faculty, and with good reason. He takes sometimes-dense texts and works and explains them in a fascinating, down-to-earth, and very entertaining lecture style.</p>

8

<p>merper - Yes I'm EECS and have that series req. I also got a 5 on the AP US Gov&Pol so if I could just find this class. Seems as if it's not offered this semester.</p>

9

<p>Yeah upper div courses aren't always taught every semester. I know that Hassner taught the course twice last year, so he may well be taking a break.</p>

10

<p>pookdogg, I'm pretty sure Moroney isn't head of the department . . . but he is amazing! And very personable. He also is an incredible musician, and the organist of the university. He's probably among the best living harpsichordists and perhaps one of the best historians of harpsichords. He's also teaching an upper div course on Bach (his specialty).</p>

<p>Physics for future Presidents (physics c10 or l and s c70v) is similar to astro 10 and has many of its strengts. Interesting material, awesome prof, etc.</p>

<p>For people still confused about what to take, there are many pieces of advice on this site, some just weeks old. Search for them.</p>

11

<p>Ananya Roy- Her classes are intense, not for the faint of heart, but very interesting and rewarding if thats your thing. I took Environmental Design 100 with her last semester and it was my favorite class despite the really insane reading load and the fact that it was my most difficult course.</p>