I took this class as a pre-med physiology major, and loved every bit of it! As far as writing 2 requirements go, this course is the way to do it. You only have to write two papers- one literary analysis, and one research paper. For each paper you do a draft and a revision. There's also an in class midterm and in class final, which are easy! The readings are light (20-30 pages twice a week), but discussion is VERY mandatory. It's an easy A for a writing 2 class if you GO TO LECTURE (he will literally tell you what's on the exams, and sometimes give extra credit for being in lecture), and meet with your TA about the papers. This class is especially easy if you already have a religious background, the people who struggled came into it with no knowledge. There are weekly reading responses which are one page double spaced, and super easy points. Overall, a great class.

I am a life sciences major that took this class expecting it to be pretty hard based on other reviews. The material does not require you to have a religious background, as it is mostly about the history and architecture of Jerusalem. I honestly found it to be an interesting GE/Writing II. Make sure to cater your papers to what your TA wants. In discussion, my TA was very clear in instructing us how to organize our papers. If you struggle with writing, definitely take advantage of their office hours. The papers are not the kind that you can write the night before--be smart about how much time you spend to not only write it but also gather your information. The second paper is LONG--a minimum of 7 pages. This is my fourth class that requires essays, but my first time since high school to make outlines to organize my thoughts. This definitely helped me get A's on the papers.

Discussions are mandatory due to the quizzes. They are based on the readings, so try your best to not fall behind. Lecture attendance is not mandatory, BUT he does not post the slides online, nor is the lecture Bruincasted. I highly recommend that you attend every lecture--you will end up using a lot of Smoak's information to write the papers and answer the short answer questions on the exams.

Since the midterm and final are worth 10% each of your overall grade, it really comes down to your TA and how harshly they grade your papers. I was in the A- to A range for the papers; I got a C on the midterm and an A+ on the take-home final due to the wildfires. I ended up with an A overall.

Take this class with a grain of salt. It's not an easy writing II class by any means, but it wasn't necessarily unfair. It's really up to you how you do in this class. Do not take it if you're not willing to put in a lot of effort into reading, researching, and writing for the papers. The TAs grade fairly, and they will shred poor work and reward hard work. The tests are easy enough if you know his study guides. The information in this class is not difficult to understand, but you do need to put in a lot of work to do well. If you have a decent understanding of the material and put in a lot of effort in the papers (and go to office hours to see what your TA wants with your paper) you will do fine.

This class is extremely difficult, time consuming, and dry. I regret taking this class. The essays are harshly graded, everyone got B-'s and C's on the first paper. In addition to papers, you also have a midterm and final (both of which are in class multiple choice AND free response.) This class is unfairly graded and I would not recommend.

Selling the required text "Jerusalem: One city, Three Faiths" for $10. Email me at junkfaloona@gmail.com

This class was very interesting and the tests were fairly easy, but the papers (at least for me) were graded very harshly. You need to put in a lot of time and effort in order to get a good grade, so just be prepared for that. Your grade is mainly based on 2 papers. You first submit a draft, which is graded. Then you have a chance to edit and resubmit it, again for a grade. I really liked that aspect of the class, since you got direct and specific feedback! Overall, the class is great, just be prepared to spend a lot of time on the papers!!!

I thought this class was very interesting, but if you think it is an easy A then you will be mistaken like I was! Yes, it is one of the "easier" writing II classes but you are going to have to put in a good amount of effort to do well. We had weekly quizzes based on the readings which weren't too bad and two papers throughout the quarter, in which the draft and final count as a portion of your grade. The TAs grade very tough (no one in my section got an A on the first paper) but by the time the second paper comes around, you will have a good idea of what they expect. The final was also pretty fair, definitely need to put in studying rather than leaving it to the last minute. Overall, I do recommend this class!

If you don't have any religious background, DON'T take this course. I didn't have a religious upbringing and have pretty much no knowledge about religion, and I definitely had to work a lot harder to grasp a lot of what was going on in the class.
This class is hugely dependent on your TA. I had a TA that said he hadn't given a single A the quarter before, and I'm pretty sure he didn't give any this quarter either. But I also think they've made the course more difficult over time-- I have friends who took this course a few years a go and said it was a lot easier. This course was genuinely one of the most difficult courses I have take at UCLA, and will be the first B I ever get (I'm a Junior, so I've taken a fair amount of classes).
The course content is relatively interesting, especially if you're into ancient history and buildings. Professor Smoak is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about this topic, and his lectures are pretty engaging. If I had a TA that wasn't so hell bent on giving bad grades and a stronger religious background, this class may have been bearable. But it's A LOT of work for a Writing 2 or a GE. You can definitely find something easier to fulfill requirements if that's what you're looking for.

Yes it was so very interesting learning about this material and he really is a good lecturer, BUT if you are taking this only for a writing 2 not for minor or major then pick another.. this is a history class which had in my opinion a hard midterm and final so not only do you have to worry about your writing two essays (TA was very strict with the grading since this is a writing 2 class) but also worry about memorizing and knowing a lot of the historical background as well ! Quick pointer to those people who are reading about having two papers for the class, and that you get to submit a draft and then revise it... I WISH SOMEONE had TOLD ME THAT BOTH THE DRAFT AND THE REVISION COUNT IN MY GRADE AND EACH ARE WORTH A LOT before taking this class ! So beware everything counts. Best of luck !

Selling textbooks! Text 2132717903