EDLF 5000

This is literally the easiest class at UVA. Take it. You won't be sorry.

This class was very interesting. All of the topics that we discussed were engaging and made you want to participate in class. His assignments weren't bad at all and you can do them the day before it's due. His A starts at a 95 and not 93, but don't let this discourage your from taking this class. I am a transfer student and did very well in this class (got an A). I would definitely take this course because it helps you understand the issues all of us are currently facing. It's an easy A class in my opinion, but don't take this class just for an easy A. It was an awesome class and professor Aldridge was awesome as well!!

This class is not hard at all, and Dr. Alridge is the man. The workload involves weekly readings, for which you have to write a 1-2 page critique. You'll get a 100 as long as you give some substance. Beyond that, there's a Genealogy/Family History paper, which is actually pretty fun if you approach it with a desire to learn about your family's past and where they came from. When I got my graded paper back, he told me I should consider writing a book about my family. He's truly interested in learning about his students, which is why he emphasizes that he's not simply a teacher, but also a learner. Couple other papers/projects here and there, but nothing that you should stress over. Another portion of your grade is class participation. If you're not someone who likes to speak out, this class should probably change your mind, because the topics are interesting enough for anyone to discuss. You also are required to do 12 hours of community service for the whole semester, and most people tutor at local schools. In all, Dr. Alridge creates a welcoming atmosphere, and he always reminds us to stop stressing out over the papers and projects. I don't know about the other professors who teach this course, but take it with Alridge if you can!

I greatly enjoyed this class. Dibinga was a wonderful lecturer and many of the topics/readings we discussed in class opened up my eyes to perspectives I had never considered before. The 2.5 hour class usually went by quickly. I liked how the professors did not pressure you to speak in class unless you were comfortable with speaking. Most of the readings were engaging. We also watched a few interesting films in class. While Dibinga was liberal, the discussions in class unveiled a number of perspectives from students at UVA that I found to be fascinating. The class one of the most diverse classes I've taken at UVA and hearing all these different perspectives was worth taking the class for me. The midterm was somewhat difficult--mostly because it was more challenging than the reading critiques we'd been doing all semester. Grading is fair.

This class is supposed to be taught by Professors Spreen & Alridge. Surprise! It's actually lectured by motivational speaker, Dibinga, who is really interesting and engaging (but extremely liberal).

The class is overwhelmingly about race and pro-every type of minority group. If you are white, male, speak English, not disabled, and straight, you will find that this class is always vilifying you in some way or another.

It's an easy class -- they try to make it hard with essays, mandatory community service, and weekly critiques -- but it's all busy work you can do last minute.

Overall I recommend as a GPA booster, but I don't find it to be as intellectually satisfying as other UVA courses, especially at a grad level.