Recommended classes
Students want to know, “What’s a good class?” So those of us at New Student Services did what we could—we asked more than 2500 undergraduates for their opinions, and the following is what they said.

You also might want to check out these student hosted web sites:

www.ratemyprofessors.com

Note: A dagger (†) by the professor’s name (in parentheses) means that he or she has received a Distinguished Teaching Award (up to five people from the entire faculty are selected each year, so this is a big deal).

A bullet (•) in front of a class description means that this class, taught by the particular professor mentioned, is being offered in fall 2009.

Another note: Because we don’t bite the hand that feeds us, we do not list classes that students don’t like.

English
•English R1A (4 units), Reading and Composition (various instructors): “This is the class to take because the class size is small, so you get to know everyone on a more personal level. I got more attention and insight than I did in high school Advanced Placement English.” “I would recommend new students to Cal take English R1A with the lecturer Vlasta Vranjes. This class was a great transition into the college writing experience and she is a wonderful helping hand for newcomers to the university. The class itself was very intense, but knowing that your professor will help you on the way will make it all worthwhile.”

English 31AC (4 units), Literature of American Cultures (Gonzalez): “The material was fun, the lectures were intriguing, and the discussion was thought-provoking.”

English 45A (4 units), Literature in English (Goodman†): “I would recommend this class to any student interested in an English major/minor. The professor is a brilliant lecturer who stirred a passion in me for the literature I least expected to love: Chaucer, Spencer, and Milton.”

English 45A (4 units), Literature in English (Justice): “Justice is my favorite English professor at Berkeley. His lectures are not only stimulating and interesting, but also hilarious. He makes the 45 series worth staying awake for.” “It’s a required course for English majors, but even though I’m doing Public Health and Business, it’s great for satisfying prerequisites and a breadth requirement. It’s a little hard, but if you work with your GSI and pay attention in class, you’ll do just fine.”

English 45A (4 units), Literature in English (Knapp†): “He is one of the best professors in the English department. He sounds like a Middle English orator when he reads the course material. Chaucer has never been so exciting!” “Professor Knapp is a hilarious and brilliant lecturer who encourages the class to think critically, read closely, and have fun.”

English 45B (4 units), Literature in English (Goldsmith): “Professor Steven Goldsmith will make you fall head over heels for the major. He is a fantastic lecturer who makes every class into an adventure.”

English 45B (4 units), Literature in English (Langan): “She’s so passionate. The material can be a little stale, but she makes it come alive. It’s like watching a play. It’s great! I’ve never missed her class, mostly because I didn’t want to miss her ‘one woman show.’”

•English 45B (4 units), Literature in English (Puckett): “This is the best class I’ve taken in college and definitely one of the better classes in my entire life. He illuminates everything we read with such a sharp eye that the readings, which I often didn’t really understand at first, became completely clear to me, especially with the context and background information he provides.” “Puckett knows his material and has a genuine interest in what he is teaching. The class is not easy, but it is very interesting.”

English 45C (4 units), Literature in English (Abel†): “A great introduction to modern literature, and Abel’s lectures are always amazing!”

English 45C (4 units), Literature in English (Altieri): “It’s hard but very interesting.”

English 45C (4 units), Literature in English (Bishop): “It’s an awesome class.” “Take English 45C with Bishop, and you’ll leave a more knowledgeable person. You won’t be as smart as Bishop though; that dude is a straight up Jedi.”

•English 45C (4 units), Literature in English (Hejinian): “Professor Hejinian is a poet herself, so many of the readings include poems. She is also extremely approachable and engaged in the subject matter. Plus, the time period isn’t so far removed from modern day literature, so I learned to appreciate the literary works rather than stress over them!”

English 45C (4 units), Literature in English (Schweik†): “The professor has the unbelievable skill to make difficult works exciting and invigorating.”

English 95 (2 units), Other Voices: Multi-Cultural Literary Perspectives (various professors): “This class is very good for new students because it exposes you to many different professors while satisfying the Arts and Literature breadth requirement. Every week, a guest lecturer speaks to the class, and professors come from various areas of study so there are also speakers such as spoken word artists and authors. This class is perfect for exposing yourself to a variety of fields at Berkeley.” “This class has guest lecturers every week, including poets, writers, professors, and music artists. The discussion sections covers issues of diversity, multiculturalism, and literature as it relates around the world. This class motivated me to take a more active role in determining the education that I receive at Cal.”

English 100 (4 units), Junior Seminar (Wagner): “This class is great for two reasons: the readings were interesting and the intimate setting made for great discussions.”

•English C107/Religious Studies C119 (4 units), The English Bible as Literature (Goldsmith): “A very interesting take on many of the major books and themes of the Bible.” “This class brought me a whole new perspective on the Bible. Reading it as if it were a storybook full of characters, events, and beautiful prose is something I’d never thought to try. Lecture was always interesting and easy to follow.”

English C107/Religious Studies C119 (4 units), The English Bible as Literature (Justice): “The professor has wonderful, insightful ideas and is always willing to talk about the text in viewpoints contrary to his own.”

English 117A (4 units), Shakespeare (Justice): “Take any of the Shakespeare series with Professor Justice because he is incredibly knowledgeable about the subject, and his lectures are packed with food for thought.”

English 117A (4 units), Shakespeare (Knapp†): “Knapp is by far the most clear, eloquent, and enlightening professor I’ve had at Berkeley. This class is good if you’re interested in majoring or minoring in English. Even if you’re not, it’s still excellent to have some background in Shakespeare.”

•English 118 (4 units), Milton (Goodman or Picciotto): “This course is really fun and awesome.”

English 125D (4 units), The 20th-Century Novel (Bernstein): “Professor Bernstein’s lectures reminded me why I became an English major. He made the work of Marcel Proust come to life—his passion for literature is contagious!”

English 125E (4 units), The Contemporary Novel (Bishop): “English 125E is an excellent course with an enthusiastic professor and a great reading list—both of which result in equally enthusiastic students.” “For English majors, this class should be required reading. For non-majors, take this class for some great novels that will put hair on your chest and make you fall in love with contemporary literature!” “The reading list for this class changes every semester, but always includes some of the greatest authors of our time.”

English 127 (4 units), Modern Poetry (Hass): “This class is challenging, but indispensable if you want to really get a hold on modern poetry. Hass is amazing.” “Learn how to analyze really abstract poetry and enjoy it (and maybe write it afterwards)!”

English 130D (4 units), American Literature: 1900-1945 (McQuade): “Professor McQuade is one of the best lecturers ever. He makes great material even better.”

English 135AC (4 units), Literature of American Cultures (Abel†): “There’s a lot of reading, but Abel’s lectures are really discerning, and this class provides an interesting perspective on very good literature.” “She gives insightful comments, is friendly, and allots extra time for reading if discussion is falling behind.” “This class broadens the horizons of traditional American literature.”

English 135AC (4 units), Literature of American Cultures (Breitwieser†): “Not only does the professor provide you with excellent analysis of each text, but he truly values what you have to say.” “He’s thorough in his explanations and he’s really understanding when we ask for extensions.”

English 135AC (4 units), Literature of American Cultures (Gonzalez): “You won’t find a reading list like this in any other class.”

English 135AC (4 units), Literature of American Cultures (Hutson): “This class is also known as “Engineer’s English,” as it satisfies many COE requirements: 1) R1B, 2) Humanities, 3) Upper Division, 4) Series (can be linked with AP English). The literature covered is pretty easy reading, and the workload is very manageable.”

English 135AC (4 units), Literature of American Cultures (Mukherjee): “Her personal experience, including her interest in societal issues and in literary study, adds an amazing vitality to her lectures (not to mention the class fulfills the American Cultures requirement).”

English 135AC (4 units), Literature of American Cultures (Schweik†): “This class is has taught me a lot about racism and disabilities. This class made me think about these things in a completely different way. Professor Schweik made lectures very interesting as well.”

English 161 (4 units), Introduction to Literary Theory (Puckett): “He has you thinking about his lectures well after class has concluded.”

•English 175 (4 units), Literature and Disability (Kleege): “Professor Kleege’s disability classes allow one to open up one’s mind, see life in a new perspective and realize how society is able-body based. This class will change your life.”

Environmental Design
Environmental Design 1 (3 units), People and Environmental Design (Al): “This is a great class if you’re interested in architecture, design, or just people and their living environments! Our first project was a “Project Runway” model-type thing. You really get to be creative in this class and lectures are very engaging.”

Environmental Design 1 (3 units), People and Environmental Design (Bosselmann): “There was never a dull moment with the hands-on projects we had to do in this class.”

Environmental Design 1 (3 units), People and Environmental Design (Eisenstein): “Environmental Design 1 is a great class for all students inside and outside the College of Environmental Design. It allows you to be creative and it’s fun and interesting.” “A great class to take for people who are interested in design in relation to spaces and how people flow through them. This class had a variety of interesting guest lecturers and had very creative projects (besides papers). If you want to learn basic concepts about the conceptualization of buildings, then this class will do wonders.”

Environmental Design 1 (3 units), People and Environmental Design (Hester): “Environmental Design 1 is a great class to get you started in any design field. It’s a good, broad introduction of a lot of what the College of Environmental Design has to offer. Though it can be a lot of work at times, it’s what you make of it. The projects can get pretty involved, like researching the houses your grandparents and parents lived in, to designing your house for the future! Even if you aren’t in the College of Environmental Design, take this class to dip your feet into the field!” “Hester is gung-ho about sustainable design and the projects are easy and fun—a great place to experiment with art and architecture.” “Wonderful introduction to architecture and city planning and many other things in the college of Environmental Design. Interactive and inspiring.”

•Environmental Design 1 (3 units), People and Environmental Design (Jewell): “This class was a great introduction to the college and helps if you’re unsure if you want to do architecture, landscape architecture, or urban studies. It changes every semester, and has a different teacher every semester, so some semesters may be better than others.”

Environmental Design 100 (4 units), The City: Theories and Methods in Urban Studies (Roy†): “This class is a focus on ‘the city’. Emphasizing the urban, political, social and economic points of cities across the world. While this class is very abstract and requires a lot of reading, Professor Roy gives you a new insight about how cities work and how it relates back to each individual. Walking out of class, you notice things you’d never notice before.” “As an expert on issues pertaining to global city development, Professor Roy provides great insight about the dynamic of cities around the world and stimulates thoughts on how to approach global urban issues. There is a lot of reading but the knowledge gained allows you to be active in great discussions.”

•Environmental Design C169A/Geography C160A (4 units), American Cultural Landscapes, 1600 to 1900 (Groth): “This class is architecture, American history, geography, and sociology all rolled into one. Lectures are wonderfully entertaining and full of fun facts and trivia about American history and development.” “This is the best class ever. Professor Groth is endlessly enthusiastic about the topics covered, and I learned more in this class than in any other class I have taken.” “Professor Groth loves teaching this class, and his knowledge of and passion for American-built environments will inevitably take hold of you.” “This class rocks! Do yourself a favor and take it.”

Environmental Design 169B (4 units), American Cultural Landscapes, 1900 to Present (Groth): “This is the best class that I’ve taken so far at Berkeley. Unlike others who teach and write about other countries, Professor Groth takes his magnifying glass and analyzes America, making every little bit of minutiae from urban, suburban, to rural life interesting and revealing about ourselves. He’s the leading intellectual in his field, having himself learned the material from the man that created the field.” “Professor Groth has an incredible passion for the built environment and American Culture that helps him enthrall students on a daily basis. I have honestly never taken a class that has inspired me to look out into the world around me, apply my education to it, and be passionate about doing so.”

Environmental Economics and Policy
•Environmental Economics and Policy C1/Economics C3 (4 units), Introduction to Environmental Economics and Policy (Berck): “Professor Berck cares about his students and that they know the material. He refuses to move on in lecture until every student understands—which means that students come away from the class really knowing the material. This class embodies how a first year class should be.” “This class is a mix between logic and creativity. It really allows you to think outside the box and work with your hands. You’ll be surprised at all the amazing ideas that come out of this class.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 2 (3 units), The Biosphere (Goldstein): “This class discussed many issues that are very pertinent to the world we live in and are of concern to everyone.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 2 (3 units), The Biosphere (Kremen and Banfield): “This class is an amazing introduction to Environmental Science and Biology. It is also great for people thinking about majoring in either field, or for non-majors trying to learn a little more about the world in which they live.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management C10/L&S C30V (4 units), Environmental Issues (Amundson): “This course is one of the many classes on campus that is highly relevant to current events, will help you reevaluate your daily life, and it fulfills the Biological Sciences or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth! Also, Professor Amundson is excellent.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management C10/L&S C30V (4 units), Environmental Issues (Welter†): “This class opened my eyes up to environmental issues that I never thought about before.” “The professor is hilarious, kind, and really cares about his students; the class is good for people of all backgrounds, and you can tailor the work to your interests.” “This class was great. Not only do you learn the hot environmental issues of today, but problem solving and in-depth analysis skills are used in order to find a valuable answer to these issues.” “His humor and clarity is refreshing at a research institution like Berkeley. The subject matter is also very interesting, considering the plethora of environmental problems we are confronted with.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management C11 (4 units), Forest and Wildland Resource Conservation (Williams): “Williams is a charismatic professor, who communicates his genuine interest in forest and wildlife conservation through lectures and purposeful field trips.”

•Environmental Science, Policy, and Management C12 (4 units), Introduction to Environmental Studies (various professors): “The class covers topics from AIDS, to pollution in San Francisco, to global hunger. Great, depressing, everyone should take it.” “The professors discuss how science is applied in environmental crises, political situations, and conservation efforts.” “Opened me up to many aspects of the environment that I didn’t know existed.” “This course fulfills various requirements and has interesting subject matter.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 24 (1 unit), Freshman Seminar (Resh†): “This class could be called ‘Science Goes to the Movies.’ Professor Resh really cares about the students, is a great campus resource, and makes an interesting topic even more enlightening.”

•Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 24 (1 unit), Freshman Seminar (Wood): “This is a small, laid-back class with minimal homework and an awesome professor.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 40 (2 units), Insects and Human Society (Kipling): “It’s so much fun! The workload is very manageable, and the material is really fascinating! We learned about basic entomology, ate mealworm brownies, saw Berkeley’s Insect Collection (the Essig Museum of Entomology is not open to the general public), saw giant ants in a movie, and saw insects used in criminology! This is a class definitely worth taking. It’s a nice break from the intense courses for your major, and you learn a lot!” “It’s an easy 2-unit class that is all about insects! It builds upon many basic scientific principles that incoming students should have picked up during high school.”

•Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 44 (2 units), Biological Control (Mills): “A surprisingly interesting two-unit course in pest management and the study of insects. It’s great if you need a couple more units.” “It’s a great class to take because each lecture is like watching a special about insects on the Discovery Channel!”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 50AC (4 units), Introduction to Culture and National Resource Management (Spreyer): “This class is a great way to satisfy your American Cultures requirement because of its interesting subject material about how ethnics groups in American society have used natural resources in different ways. But the best part of this course is Professor Spreyer’s enthusiasm for teaching and real commitment to helping his students succeed and learn.” “This class satisfied one of my breadths as well as the AC requirement which everyone must take here at Cal. It was relatively simple class and I believe a very high number of people received As in the class.” “Not only is this class interesting in way that goes beyond environmental studies, the professor is a very fair grader.” “It is not a large workload (lots of reading), contains interesting subject material, has an interesting professor, and gets American Cultures requirements out of the way!”

•Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 100 (4 units), Environmental Problem Solving (Frankie): “Frankie and Milton put a lot of effort into making this course of one the more outstanding classes I’ve taken. A must-take!” “Examines many environmental issues we are experience with guest speakers every week. We get to take an awesome field trip with a teacher who really cares.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 101A-101E (8 units), Field Study of Forestry and Wildland Resources (various professors): “If you don’t have time to study abroad and love the environment, forestry camp is the next best thing. I learned more in eight weeks than ever before, got to know professors on a first name basis, and had the time of my life.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management C160AC/History C120AC (4 units), American Environmental and Cultural History (Merchant): “Carolyn Merchant is a great professor, and she is really attentive and accessible to her students.” “A riveting introduction for students new to environmental issues. It’s an enlightening view of our environmental history for those in the know.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 161 (3 units), Environmental Philosophy and Ethics (Merchant): “You’ll never look at environmental issues the same way.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 162 (4 Units), Bioethics and Society (Winickoff): “This class opens your eyes to the scientific issues that are prevalent in today’s society, such as stem cell research and genetically-modified organisms. It really made me think about whether the technology we have available is really worth it with all its ethical implications.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management 165 (4 units), International Rural Development Policy (Carr): “This is an excellent, challenging, and rewarding class which delves into the difficult questions in rural development policy. For example, how the World Trade Organization affects developing nations and what the causes are for starvation in many nations. The professor speaks with extensive personal experience.”

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management C191/American Studies C112F/Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies C136/History of Art C189 (4 units), The American Forest: Its Ecology, History and Representation (McBride and Lovell): “This class presents an interesting discussion of America’s forests from a multidisciplinary perspective.”

Environmental Sciences
•Environmental Sciences 10 (4 units), Introduction to Environmental Sciences (Berry and Kondolf): “Have fun playing in Strawberry Creek and learn about biological field work.” “If you like hands-on experience better than books, this is the class for you.” “Good class for people interested in learning more about science, but who don’t want the time commitment most science classes require.” “This class provides an extremely enlightening look at some contemporary environmental issues.” This class exposed me to a large variety of topics related to the environmental sciences and was very broad in its scope. We were also required to do field work that was engaging and educational.”

Environmental Sciences 10 (3 units), Introduction to Environmental Sciences (Firestone†): “This class gives you an overview of many very important environmental problems such as overpopulation, global warming, and endangered species.”

Environmental Sciences 125 (3 units), Environments of the San Francisco Bay Area (Berry): “Although it is an upper division class, it is taught in a way that is conducive to lower division learning. It is general, easy, and the projects are a lot of fun!” “Not only is this class easy, it is also interesting because it focuses on the area we currently live in and the problems that threaten our surroundings.” “This is an easy course. There is no final, no readings, only guest lectures. A great way to satisfy a physical science breadth requirement and you don’t even have to be majoring in Environmental Sciences to get an ‘A’.”

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