Easy A, the T.A.'s were dope, I had Gaby and she was amazing. Our midterm was clean and the final was a creative project of our choosing. Highly recommend as a GPA booster, plus you learn about the day of the dead. Get cultured people.

This class is an easy A, as you can tell the professor prioritizes learning over grades. It's a great option if you need an upper division class but don't want to face a demanding workload. I would say the only downside is that the professor isn't clear or straightforward. In fact, her instructions were kind of confusing and overwhelming, which caused a good chunk of students to drop within the first few weeks. Maybe this could've been a new flaw ever since going online, or perhaps the class was always like this...not sure. Regardless, I don't recommend dropping this class since it is so easy. Even though the professor is confusing, the TA's really know what they're doing and will explain everything to you.

Two words: easy A. This was the best course to take when you have a heavy workload. There were a few issues with the course: unclear deadlines, overlapping assignments, assignments being assigned last minute. It was a little messy in the beginning of the course and a lot of people dropped--it got so much better towards the end of the quarter. The TAs really handle this course and clarify everything. The course consists of group projects, a written reflection, and final individual project. You do the work=you get credit. She doesn't focus on grades, she really just wants to see our participation and creativity. I really enjoyed this course and it was soooo easy. I learned so much--stick it out, this is the easiest A you can get.

Update on book for this class:

I no longer have it
*brandonsworld@icloud.com

I would definitely recommend this class to everyone. The subject is very interesting and the workload is very doable. The professor can seem confusing at times but the TA's do a fantastic job at making everything clear. There are no exams but there is an event you have to attend on the weekend. Lots of group projects and a few 1-page papers that were easy. TAKE THIS CLASS!

I took this course as an upper division elective and I'm extremely happy wit my decision! It's a straight forward and super easy course. your grade is basically dependent on your attendance, quick chapter assignments, one page article responses, presentation, midterm (short paper) and final (group project). The TA is responsible for your overall grade, but super easy and definitely would recommend everyone to take his interactive course!

I loved this class! Temachtiani (teacher in Nahuatl) was the sweetest, albeit a bit unorganized. Lorena Gonzalez and Issaura Rivera-Anagnos were awesome TAs, and they were both so down to earth and approachable. It was like they were students with us, partaking in this really special event. Being of Mexican heritage, I never grew up celebrating the Day of the Dead but being able to learn about the significance of this ritual was really special to me. I feel like this class taught me so much about my culture and it made me feel that much closer to my passed loved ones.

This was a very interactive and group-based course and I felt like the unorganized aspect came from all of the different assignments and due dates. People definitely got confused. I also felt like there was quite a bit of busy work but it was definitely doable and it's really an easy A if you just do the assignments.

As for the way the class was graded, we were put into groups and we each had to bring something to class in remembrance of one of our passed loved ones. On our assigned day, we presented that object and/or picture for a quick minute. As a group, we were also assigned a specific region in Mexico, or even Guatemala, so we could model our Day of the Dead altar after the way they do it there. We then had a full blown celebration at SPARC in Venice towards the end of October where we constructed altars and decorated them. It was open to the public so there were lots of people who showed up and we offered them little snacks. It seemed unorganized up to that point because nobody really knew how this function was going to happen, but it actually turned out really well. Our midterm was a 4-page reflection paper on our experience in the class and at the ritual.

We also had to buy a course reader and an online textbook that Temachtiani created herself. This was the first time she tried out the textbook in this class and I don't think it was that great because we didn't really use it. I just felt like it was busy work because there were little knowledge checks as you went through the chapters where you gave your opinion about something, and then there was a quiz at the end of each chapter. We only used it up to the Day of the Dead ritual, so for about the first 4 weeks. I also thought the assignments associated with the course reader articles were used as busy work because we had to do these mini-essays where we had to write a 1-page summary of each reading, with about 3 readings per lecture. This went on for like 2 weeks after the ritual. Additionally, each group was assigned 1 of these articles from the course reader and we had to develop a 20 minute class presentation about it (we didn't have to do a 1-page summary on that at least).

For the final group project, we just had to think of a creative way to pass on the ritual to younger generations. Groups could make cookbooks, puzzles, boardgames, documentaries, Instagram accounts etc. We had to present it to the class and a 5-page paper was also required to summarize the project like why it was chosen and how it relates to the Day of the Dead. Attendance was taken, there were extra credit opportunities, and we had little pop quizzes every now and then, but I honestly don't think they were really graded. Probably on if something was actually written down or not. On the last day of class we had a potluck which was fun. I really did enjoy this class and by the end of it, it felt like a community. Would recommend to anyone who's looking to learn more about their heritage, Mexican culture, something interesting, or just an easy A.

Class is pretty cool, easy GPA booster too-not too much work, have both required books;
UCLA Course Reader-Chicano Studies 113 Ritual-Day of the Dead----$40
(New is $63)
Mikamoxtzin-----$5 (New $10)

Selling the book for this class. Message me if interested:

Brandonsworld@icloud.com

This is a unique class and most of your grade will come from group collaboration and weekly essays. The structure of this class is pretty straightforward and your direct input is ultimately the determinant of your final grade. Take on extra credit duties and talk to your TA's since they are always invested in everyone's success. You will learn the spiritual significance of the Day of the Dead ritual and traverse topics such as hemogeny, institutional racism, and the colonization of the Mexican people.

I have the reader available for sale. Send me an email at J.madrigal@ucla.edu