Professor Hirano is very knowledgeable about the material and an excellent lecturer. The class consisted of two weekly lectures and a discussion. There were reflections due before every lecture graded for completion, two graded papers, and no exam. The class was structured thematically rather than chronologically, which was a fresh way to learn history. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone, whether you're looking for a GE, trying to satisfy a major requirement, or just want to learn about Japanese history!

This class is great! There are two 5-6 (double spaced) page papers, and 2 assignments per week (graded for completion). If you have good time management you'll be fine, but it'll be tough if you don't, as there can sometimes be 100+ pages of reading in a week. The class is manageable if you pay attention in lectures and do the readings, it will be hard to write the essays if you don't. Lectures were interesting and covered a lot of different anti-colonial thinkers. Overall, I really enjoyed the class and the material, but it might be a little tougher than other History GEs.

Great lecturer, I learned a lot from his class but I had a terrible TA. The TA basically determines your grade for all three essays so I'm really bummed out that my TA was a harsh grader. Nonetheless I recommend this professor for great insight for the history of Japan

Even though I ended up dropping this class after the first two weeks, I strongly feel that this was a class that had a lot of potential to be taught well but the professor made me absolutely hate it. If you're the type of person who does not like to be taught in lectures and just likes to hear your fellow peers talk about what they thought about the concept then this class is for you. I took this class when classes were online for the first few weeks of the quarter, the professor was extremely accommodating, he refused to record classes for students who could not attend, as a student who was in a country with a large difference, attending classes at 5 am was very challenging. He would make students read his slides out loud and then talk about topics that have nothing to do with his background slide. He also wanted our cameras to be on for the entire lecture and discussion section. The only circumstance I would recommend this class in is if you like participating in class and want to learn on your own rather than being taught by a professor.

I really like Prof. Hirano's Hist 172A and 172B. A great professor and a nice person.

Really really great professor in my opinion. Very knowledgable yet humble.

I felt like I really learned a lot from his class, and not just about Japanese history. He didn't just present the facts, but forced us to analyze history in more depth than other history and social classes I've taken. I also appreciated that this class forced me to realize the biased views I applied to history, how many of us are used to forcing the past to fit modern ideas and concepts. I left this course a significantly different person. Sounds dramatic, but it's true.

Highly recommend any course with him. He knows what he's talking about so you'll definitely learn. Only downside are the harsh TA's. Hopefully you'll get one that realizes you're not an expert at Japanese history since it is an intro class.

Great professor. I had a terrible TA who did not give good reasons for assigning poor grades. My TA was not very helpful. Professor Hirano made the class enjoyable.

Professor Hirano is one of my favorite professors at UCLA. He's an expert in the field, gives interesting lectures, and is very open to helping understand material outside of class. He's all about giving you information that will get you thinking about the material yourself, rather than memorizing facts.

He does take attendance in class, so you will have to go, but you will enjoy his presentations, and he doesn't have any 8AMs (took two classes with him), so it is not that bad. He also bases your grade on three essays (he gives a choice of questions) and has no midterm or final. I think this is a much better way to go, because the essays are easy to write and you can get a good grade if you understand the readings and try a bit. The subject of your essays also stays with you longer - I still remember the topics I wrote on very well.

Overall, I highly recommend this class to History majors who need their distribution for non-Western history, and anyone who is interested in Japanese history.

This class is fairly easy. The class is out of 100 points. 40 points are weekly assignments and discussion, but you're practically guaranteed full points if you attend and just do the assignment, which is two paragraphs per week. There are three essays, about 4-5 pages each. Hirano discourages memorization, so there are no midterms or finals. They're not harsh graders, so it is fairly easy to get an A. If you really need help, go to the history writing center, but make sure to schedule an appointment early or else they get booked quickly.
Hirano is passionate about the subject, which makes it nice. He does take attendance each lecture and discussion. His syllabus states if you miss a discussion, you automatically get a F. Not sure how true that is. Overall, it's an easy GE and fulfills the diversity requirement.

Katsuya Hirano is amazing. He offers a refreshing perspective on studying history, through examination of the intellectuals who evince the sentiments and conflicts of the time period. I must commend the TA's for doing an amazing job and helping students pinpoint their ideas during the office hours. I really enjoyed Hirano's lectures, as I feel that he speaks in an ardent and engaging manner. He is really passionate about what he teaches, and he has a great personality. He is extremely kind, and willing to help you tremendously if you attend his office hours, which I recommend. One of my favorite classes at UCLA by far. You might feel lost in the first few lectures, but it will all come together by the end of the quarter, if you are persistent. Every lecture connects to the next, so missing lectures is not advised. I also enjoyed that we were inclined to attend lectures because of the assignments, which were simple and straightforward, but encouraged you to read thoroughly. Great professor, hope to take more of his classes.