HIST 180A
Topics in History of Science
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour (when scheduled). Designed for juniors/seniors. Topics may include science and colonialism, science and religion, environmental history, science in Enlightenment, development of theory of evolution, science and public policy, public nature of science. May be repeated for maximum of 16 units with topic and/or instructor change. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2025 - The content for this class is fine; I was not personally too interested in the history of mathematics, but it was a change of pace from other history courses, which is nice. However, Professor Alexander usually just read off his slides the entire lecture, leading to most of the class being pretty boring. At the same time, attendance was mandatory for lectures. The biggest issue for me, however, lied in the grading. We had weekly reading responses, which in my opinion were quite easy. However, no matter how well they were written and how much textual evidence was used, the entire class seemed to get a 94. These grades for the reading responses left far less leeway in regards to the tests (one midterm and one final) for those who wanted to keep an A. I got lucky and managed to keep an A in the class, but after most people averaged around a 90 on the tests, the 94 on the participation assignments most likely kept them all at A- grades. If you are fine with being in that position, while also enjoying just copying the slides down that Professor Alexander shares, then this class is fine. However, if you are looking for an A in an upper division history class, I would consider other options before taking this class.
Spring 2025 - The content for this class is fine; I was not personally too interested in the history of mathematics, but it was a change of pace from other history courses, which is nice. However, Professor Alexander usually just read off his slides the entire lecture, leading to most of the class being pretty boring. At the same time, attendance was mandatory for lectures. The biggest issue for me, however, lied in the grading. We had weekly reading responses, which in my opinion were quite easy. However, no matter how well they were written and how much textual evidence was used, the entire class seemed to get a 94. These grades for the reading responses left far less leeway in regards to the tests (one midterm and one final) for those who wanted to keep an A. I got lucky and managed to keep an A in the class, but after most people averaged around a 90 on the tests, the 94 on the participation assignments most likely kept them all at A- grades. If you are fine with being in that position, while also enjoying just copying the slides down that Professor Alexander shares, then this class is fine. However, if you are looking for an A in an upper division history class, I would consider other options before taking this class.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - Professor Cahn is a gem. He truly cares about his students and their learning. All of the assignments are straightforward, and you will get a good grade if you show you put in effort. Like the other review says, he will let you resubmit as well and give you another attempt on the assignment.
Winter 2024 - Professor Cahn is a gem. He truly cares about his students and their learning. All of the assignments are straightforward, and you will get a good grade if you show you put in effort. Like the other review says, he will let you resubmit as well and give you another attempt on the assignment.
Most Helpful Review
Professor Lamoreaux is one of the top professors at UCLA. Not only was she truly concerned about student learning, but she also challenged us to think critically about texts and lectures (something that the history department defninitely lacks). We had a big research paper and a final, which didn't seem like a lot of work, but trust me--it WAS! The paper focused our primary research on the APS database--it certainly was NOT easy, but in the end, I feel that I have learned something valuable that I will be able to take on with me in the future (the database is pretty annoying to use, so you develop great specific search skills). The final was tough as well, but she gives all the identification options before hand, and her review session is well worth attending! There are a lot of required texts and online articles, and it is pretty much impossible to read everything (unless you are some ridiculous speed reader or are only taking 2 classes), so scanning and selecting the important readings are another skill she teaches you to hone (although this probably is not intentional!). She also makes an effort to learn everyone's name in the class, and treats you like *gasp* an intelligent individual, worth listening to. BUT beware--don't take her niceness as weakness, and don't think of her as a pushover, because trust me, she isn't. Take her if you want a challenge, to learn something valuable, and/or if you want to feel like more than just another body in the mass of bored students.
Professor Lamoreaux is one of the top professors at UCLA. Not only was she truly concerned about student learning, but she also challenged us to think critically about texts and lectures (something that the history department defninitely lacks). We had a big research paper and a final, which didn't seem like a lot of work, but trust me--it WAS! The paper focused our primary research on the APS database--it certainly was NOT easy, but in the end, I feel that I have learned something valuable that I will be able to take on with me in the future (the database is pretty annoying to use, so you develop great specific search skills). The final was tough as well, but she gives all the identification options before hand, and her review session is well worth attending! There are a lot of required texts and online articles, and it is pretty much impossible to read everything (unless you are some ridiculous speed reader or are only taking 2 classes), so scanning and selecting the important readings are another skill she teaches you to hone (although this probably is not intentional!). She also makes an effort to learn everyone's name in the class, and treats you like *gasp* an intelligent individual, worth listening to. BUT beware--don't take her niceness as weakness, and don't think of her as a pushover, because trust me, she isn't. Take her if you want a challenge, to learn something valuable, and/or if you want to feel like more than just another body in the mass of bored students.
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Most Helpful Review
Good professor. Her lectures are nice and slow so you can take good notes. You don't really have to do all the readings...just go to lecture and take really good notes and you should be fine. She tells you EXACTLY what you need to know for the midterm and the final. Very fair grader, too. Highly recommended professor if you are looking for an easy and fair history class.
Good professor. Her lectures are nice and slow so you can take good notes. You don't really have to do all the readings...just go to lecture and take really good notes and you should be fine. She tells you EXACTLY what you need to know for the midterm and the final. Very fair grader, too. Highly recommended professor if you are looking for an easy and fair history class.
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