Reviews of professor Michael Calderon-Zak's

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 1.0/5
Super easy class to pass. Only dropped one point because lectures were incredibly boring and attendance is required as part of the grade.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
Great professor! Plan on taking him again. All quizzes were based on lecture and readings and only 4/5 get graded. Lecture is mandatory.

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
As long as you are meeting his expectations, it should not be a difficult class. Sassy and humorous professor.

Rating: 2.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
Meh, he was okay not a great lecturer can get really boring, he can get really douch-ey about picture taking of slides seems a bit pretentious

Rating: 2.0/5, difficulty: 1.0/5
Only 2 papers and 4 quizzes which were easy with an optional final, but an extremely boring and monotone lecturer which made it difficult to pay any attention in his class because of it. Also has an air of pretentiousness and judgment towards students and I felt like I was being ostracized for asking questions or needing clarification.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
He is very very very pretentious and boring and unhelpful and makes everything way harder than it needs to be. There might only be a few easy things he grades but with his pretentiousness and the obstacles he puts in your way, it makes it very difficult to keep up or even want to show up at all.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 1.0/5
Really enjoyed his course and lectures! Lectures do require not taking! Grading criteria is clear graded on 4/5 quizzes of 5 questions, 2 papers but are easy as you just answer 3 questions you choose, and attendance. I really do recommend him!

Rating: 2.0/5, difficulty: 1.0/5
You're taking this professor for an easy A, or because you agree with his politics. He will snap at students for taking pictures of slides for some reason.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
I've taken 6 classes with Michael since I've been at UCSD. He is very clear with what he wants from you as a student and his syllabus has all of the information you need. He's a sassy guy though! 5 quizzes but only 4 are graded, two 800 word essays on 3 prompts of your choice, and he gives extra credit! Take his class you won't regret it!!!!

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
Grading was only by a few papers and bi-weekly quizzes, but if you attend the lectures and read, it is no hard task to pass and get good grades. You will read and pay attention though because the concepts and way he teaches keeps you engaged and wanting more. Definitely one of my favorite classes and professors so far and one of the most applicable

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
Encourages note-taking since taking pictures of the slides is considered "note-cheating" for some reason. His classes could pose a disadvantage for those who would like to review the content since he does not post the slides on Canvas or podcast them. 
But if his style fits you, should be good to go.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Super chill professor. He is teaching an extremely boring subject (in my opinion) but he is so laid back and extremely helpful. He is one of the most interesting professors I have had.