PSYC 2410

Probably one of the easiest classes I've ever taken. Prof Clerkin is very knowledgeable and lectures don't feel boring at all; she does a great job summarizing what's in textbook so I barely even read it. Tests do require a bit of memorization but the content is genuinely very common-sense based. Attendance isn't required, but there are in-class writing assignments. Grade is based off 4 (easy) in-class writing assignments, 4 (easy) application assignments, online tests, and a final, but you don't need to take final if you did well on tests since lowest test grade is dropped. Lowest application assignment and writing assignment grades are also dropped. Class average on all tests was always >90%; I think I'm ending with like 98% in class without being a psych major or minor. Overall very interesting and easy class to take if you need for any requirements or just to fill some credits!

Prof Clerkin's lectures were very interesting and she was very kind and easygoing. As for class material, the exams were incredibly easy but still felt like I learned a lot and applied my knowledge. Lecture is optional, however there are 4 surprise in-class group work activities (she emails hinting it is coming up) which were also easy, and a good way to apply the subject matter to real life and work with friends. The textbook was helpful but readings weren't required, and you'll still do fine on exams as long as you take notes in lecture or from slides. If you don't want to pay for it, you can definitely opt out and not suffer. Most questions come straight from lectures so I recommend taking thorough notes as you can use them during exams. Homework was minimal, including 4 self-paced application activities that took no more than an hour. There is one required reading and zoom discussion, but it was low-stress and interesting. Also there is one drop for nearly every grading category (exam, homework, in-class activity). Strongly recommend for an easy A and non-boring material.

This is legitimately my favorite class at UVA. The material is interesting, Dr. Clerkin is engaging, and the class is not difficult. You are given every opportunity to succeed in the class, with so much mercy built into the grading. There are 4 take-home midterms and a take-home final, any of which you are allowed to drop -- so if you do well on the 4 midterms, sayonara, you do not need to take the final. The material comes directly from the lectures, and the readings offer great in-depth arguments on the material that is covered in lecture -- I would highly recommend reading the textbook because it allows you to come prepared to class with questions, which helps strengthen your learning and memory of the material. There are 4 in-class writing assignments, which are all quite easy and a good chance to get to know other people in the class, as it is recommended that you do it in a group. These are not in the calendar and are more of a "surprise," so that you are forced to go to the lecture in case there is one. You are allowed to drop one, but if you do all, you get a pretty hefty extra credit. There are also 4 application assignments where we do small assignments relating the topics in class to our lives and writing about the experience. These are quite fun and give you a bit of perspective on your life. There is one out-of-class Zoom discussion on a research paper you read, and I would recommend signing up for this as soon as the sign-ups are available, because the spots will fill up quickly, and you will forget about it. The discussion is easy, but you learn a lot and get to discuss in a smaller group setting, almost in a Socratic Seminar manner. If you forget to sign up, there is an alternative assignment, but for that, you have to make a 15-minute, extensive video of you explaining the whole paper and giving your opinions on it -- not super hard, but tedious and a lot more work than just doing the Zoom. With that being said, the best of the class is without a doubt Dr. Clerkin. She genuinely cares about the class and the students, which made it so easy for me to participate, asking and answering questions freely. The class would not be what it is without her.