PLAD 2500

PLAD 2500: Pandemics Beyond the Headlines was a cake walk. The information was obviously extremely relevant and interesting, and had a ton of expert guest speakers from both inside and outside the UVA community. Professors Leblang and Ford did a great job teaching this course and presenting crucial information. The grading was extremely easy (50% discussion, 50% assignments: half graded for completion) and was done by the TA's. I had Katarina as my TA and she was an excellent discussion leader. If this signature course is offered again, I would highly recommend taking it for a Science and Society credit.

PLAD 2500: Politics of Migration. Overall a very solid course! Leblang is super passionate about what he teaches and truly cares about his students. The course dives into a wide array of topics regarding immigration such as history, theories, etc. Prior to each class, you are required to do a 5 question reading quiz that is open note. They are typically very easy. I will say he assigns a hefty amount of readings, but you can easily get by from skimming. There are also 5 blog posts throughout the semester, and three exams (note the third exam is not cumulative). All the exams are take home and done instead of having class. He also gives attendance points by scanning a QR code during lecture. Lectures sometimes felt long since they were 1 hour and 15 minutes, however it is not the end of the world. Overall, I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in immigration and wants an easier course! Leblang is awesome and he purposely makes the course not incredibly difficult.

Politics of Immigration was a very fun course overall. Really cool to see live guest speakers and talk about events unfolding in real life in real time. Only caveat is every class there is a quiz that requires doing the reading (or having a general knowledge of politics /history and skating by). Bottom three quizzes dropped. The exams were often confusingly worded and redundant in questions but the tas would adjust grades afterwards. Also DO NOT EVEN THINK about using technology in the class. Your mom texted because your dad’s in the hospital? You get stared down or will be remarked at. Not an easy class whatsoever either. Definitely got to do a little reading or attend lecture. Overall solid course? Would I take again? I don’t know

easy and fun course, ended w an a- but close to an a, 3 big exams but all multiple choice, like 30% of the class cheated on it (how it was on canvas) and they def made them harder after that, readings were skimmable and digestable for the most part, professor was GREAT!!!! funny and thoughtful and helpful in office hours, also quizes every lecture so attendance is pretty mandatory but you have 3 drops/skips, but yeah take the class if you care about migration and like multiple choice questions