Professor
Ghislaine Lydon
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - I really like the professor, but not so much the class. She was really nice and you could tell she really cared about the subject matter, but it was really hard to stay engaged in lecture. You have to work for an A in this class, as the TA (Galaan) does all the grading and is pretty harsh on the papers and especially the formatting of the citations (chicago style). You have to talk in discussion to get points, and you actually have to say something insightful, which was stressful at times on zoom. It was pretty average GE honestly, not amazing but not awful either.
Winter 2021 - I really like the professor, but not so much the class. She was really nice and you could tell she really cared about the subject matter, but it was really hard to stay engaged in lecture. You have to work for an A in this class, as the TA (Galaan) does all the grading and is pretty harsh on the papers and especially the formatting of the citations (chicago style). You have to talk in discussion to get points, and you actually have to say something insightful, which was stressful at times on zoom. It was pretty average GE honestly, not amazing but not awful either.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2018 - Very boring lectures. Knows what shes talking about but stares at computer entire time and speaks quietly. Hard to focus during lectures. Gave study guide for midterm. LOTS to study but you know exactly what is going to be on test. Included a map quiz, ID terms and essay. Gave all possible ID terms and all possible essay questions beforehand. The homework is reading chapters from book. Way too many pages to read But you can get by without reading anything if you just attend lectures and discussion. Usually a waste of time, don’t need to do reading
Winter 2018 - Very boring lectures. Knows what shes talking about but stares at computer entire time and speaks quietly. Hard to focus during lectures. Gave study guide for midterm. LOTS to study but you know exactly what is going to be on test. Included a map quiz, ID terms and essay. Gave all possible ID terms and all possible essay questions beforehand. The homework is reading chapters from book. Way too many pages to read But you can get by without reading anything if you just attend lectures and discussion. Usually a waste of time, don’t need to do reading
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Most Helpful Review
Prof. Lydon was the worst teacher I have ever had at UCLA. Though the class itself is not that difficult(I'm a science major and I did well without too much effort), it is painful in the extreme to sit through. She refuses to post her slides, though people asked her to do so throughout the quarter, and yet she speaks quickly and goes through the slides ridiculously quickly. She won't tell you this, but she wants you to focus on what she is saying rather than what's on the slides so if you really want to learn bring a recorder and learn to type very fast. We had 2 papers 6-7 pages each, they were not that bad, and the midterm was just memorization - she gives you a large list of people/issues to know and tests you on that. The map part of the test was not too bad either, just memorize all African countries and major areas. The annoying thing is that she speaks in random African languages that no one knows except two or three students and plays really awful music (I listen to some African artists and they're really good - Lydon just tries to find the worst and oddest music she can to play in class). Do NOT contradict her, she will say stupid things like "Africa is at the center of the world because of the Big Bang" (which almost made me walk out - she is completely science illiterate!) but if you talk to her politely after class she will bite your head off for having an opinion and not taking her word as the 'ultimate truth'. If you can stand the pain, take her for a GE. Oh, have Reem as your TA, she's wonderful.
Prof. Lydon was the worst teacher I have ever had at UCLA. Though the class itself is not that difficult(I'm a science major and I did well without too much effort), it is painful in the extreme to sit through. She refuses to post her slides, though people asked her to do so throughout the quarter, and yet she speaks quickly and goes through the slides ridiculously quickly. She won't tell you this, but she wants you to focus on what she is saying rather than what's on the slides so if you really want to learn bring a recorder and learn to type very fast. We had 2 papers 6-7 pages each, they were not that bad, and the midterm was just memorization - she gives you a large list of people/issues to know and tests you on that. The map part of the test was not too bad either, just memorize all African countries and major areas. The annoying thing is that she speaks in random African languages that no one knows except two or three students and plays really awful music (I listen to some African artists and they're really good - Lydon just tries to find the worst and oddest music she can to play in class). Do NOT contradict her, she will say stupid things like "Africa is at the center of the world because of the Big Bang" (which almost made me walk out - she is completely science illiterate!) but if you talk to her politely after class she will bite your head off for having an opinion and not taking her word as the 'ultimate truth'. If you can stand the pain, take her for a GE. Oh, have Reem as your TA, she's wonderful.
Most Helpful Review
I took her seminar. She was very sweet and nice, very understanding of the class' needs. It was a small class, and she really tried to teach us and make us aware. Overall, a very memorable class, and not too much work. The final "project" ended up being a trip to Little Ethiopia, where we got free food.
I took her seminar. She was very sweet and nice, very understanding of the class' needs. It was a small class, and she really tried to teach us and make us aware. Overall, a very memorable class, and not too much work. The final "project" ended up being a trip to Little Ethiopia, where we got free food.
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Most Helpful Review
I took her class History M10A Civilizations of Africa: Hist. to 1800's Overall it was a pretty boring class, but you learn some cool things. I had Nana as my TA, and he was a great TA. Try to get him if you can. ""Selling Course Reader for $10** Original $26 Has some water damage on the front cover, but rest of book is in good condition.
I took her class History M10A Civilizations of Africa: Hist. to 1800's Overall it was a pretty boring class, but you learn some cool things. I had Nana as my TA, and he was a great TA. Try to get him if you can. ""Selling Course Reader for $10** Original $26 Has some water damage on the front cover, but rest of book is in good condition.
Most Helpful Review
I took her for history 10 b. Class can be a little boring but it is definitely an easy A. Lecture is not totally necessary but she did take a random attendance during one lecture. Midterms are graded very leniently and the final was a take home essay. Overall it is a good GE if you're looking for an "A" and history interests you. Selling course reader for $10. Text or call (951)234-1366 if interested.
I took her for history 10 b. Class can be a little boring but it is definitely an easy A. Lecture is not totally necessary but she did take a random attendance during one lecture. Midterms are graded very leniently and the final was a take home essay. Overall it is a good GE if you're looking for an "A" and history interests you. Selling course reader for $10. Text or call (951)234-1366 if interested.
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