Shawn is a very understanding, accommodating, thorough professor. During week 1, we had an assignment due, but most of the class didn't know we had an assignment, so he extended the deadline. We had 2 group projects (each worth 25% of total grade) in this class, and some people said that the instructions/expectations weren't very clear, so he made an additional document laying out explicit expectations & a grading rubric so students knew what was "A" level work & what was "B" level work.

He often asks for feedback because he wants to be a better professor & provide a better learning experience. He harps on the importance of having a non-judgmental, open-minded learning community, so everyone feels comfortable sharing. He's very open to discussing your grade with you, and explaining to students why they received the grade they did. Grading is very straightforward and clear to students. We had 3 quizzes (each worth 10% of total grade) that basically assess whether you understand the main ideas from the readings, and can put those main ideas in your own words. If you put an answer down, but it's not completely correct, he often gives students partial credit for trying, which is very nice of him.

He offered 3 points of extra credit over the course of the quarter, which equated to about a 1.33% grade boost. Lectures are not recorded & full attendance/participation during lecture is expected. He does break out rooms & expects students to engage with one another. The TA for this class when I took it was Brian & he was an awesome, chill, laid-back, interesting, engaging TA.

Overall, this class was super interesting and not very hard imo, the only thing you really need to do to get a good grade is understand the main ideas from the readings (I didn't read all the readings thoroughly, I often skimmed just to get the main idea), participate in class, and be able to work in a group/delegate/work with peers.