HISA 1501

If you’ve ever had a socratic seminar in high school, that’s exactly what this class was like, except wayyyy less formal and honestly, less stressful. Nair made sure everyone got a chance to speak, and welcomed everyone to speak their minds on what they thought. Each week, we had to write a one-page position paper based on the readings given that week, and then we would talk about the readings in class. Two and half hours is a long time to talk though, so she would give us breaks and sometimes end class early. She brought snacks to class sometimes (and brought special snacks for people with allergies), and allowed us to go off on tangents in our discussions. She’s super sweet and super kind. Definitely go to office hours and talk to her because she’s so so so nice. I love Nair, and I’m definitely going to be taking more classes in the South Asian department.

Once november rolls around, you start working on the final project and presentation, and you don’t need to go to class. The project is a 10-12 page paper on a piece of literature or a film that was banned/was controversial, which SOUNDS bad, but once you start writing about the summary, reception, and controversies, you hit the limit pretty easily.

Overall, I 10/10 recommend this class and I 10/10 recommend Nair. Amazing lady. This class wasn’t lecture-based, so I can’t speak on her lecture skills, but she’s brilliant for the seminar-style. I don’t think any other class actually had the capability of changing the way I thought about things. I unironically would think about this class outside of the academic setting.

#tCFF23

(Took in Fall 2023 but that wasn't an option). The other reviews nailed it on the head. I actually enjoyed this class a lot. The workload is exactly as someone else reviewed here, so I won't say it again. Class tends to run like a two-hour long discussion, and Nair will give you breaks and snacks and sometimes take you outside.

The readings may seem like a lot sometimes, just skim or read a few pages at the beginning and middle. Not all of them are necessary. Just make sure that your one-pagers are always opinionated. She gave higher scores when I added more and more opinion. Ask silly rhetorical questions and have fun with it. (As for the final project, it's not that hard, just make sure you choose a work that is easy to get through, like a movie or something. I picked a movie and it was a breeze.)

If you do the work, you get an A- minimum (that's usually what she gave most people on their weekly papers). To get an A, you need to make sure you participate a lot. Participating every once in a while will leave you at the A- mark.

Overall though, splendid class, couldn't recommend it enough, Nair is the goat, and this is a great second-writing req if you need to get it out of the way.

I was a little unsure taking this class as a CS major, but I actually really enjoyed it! Probably one of my favorite classes taken at UVA: the content was super interesting and Prof. Nair is really nice and accessible. She makes sure to give everyone an opportunity to speak during discussion while providing her own input. She also gives us time to have a break when she senses everyone is getting tired. The workload isn't bad either: weekly position papers that are one page double spaced, a final presentation, and a final paper (10-12 pages). The really nice thing is that the presentation and the final paper are about the same topic, so it was really easy to use the same resources/research.

TLDR: If you need to get a second writing requirement AND historical perspectives, go for this class! Can't recommend it enough :D

Professor Nair is awesome and so genuine. I really enjoyed this class and it knocks out a bunch of requirements. You have weekly readings that are sometimes long but she lets you skim them and then you write a weekly position paper on them that’s only one page. You have a project that’s pretty free reign as well as a final paper. Most of the class is just discussion and she makes it very easy to participate! Overall I definitely recommend this class