Yui Suzuki | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Yui Suzuki ARTH290 Anonymous 09/09/2013	Her TA, Caroline Shields, is horrible. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Avoid at all costs.
Yui Suzuki ARTH290 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/16/2012	Suzuki is very passionate about what she is teaching, but she expects a lot from students. So if you are going to take this class as a core requirement, don't. You have to memorize every single details about more than 50 artistic objects and places to do well in the exams. There is a research paper and you have to write 3 pages to describe a statue. In terms of TAs, if your TA does not like you, they can be really unreasonable with grading (which does not happen with TAs in other majors).
Yui Suzuki ARTH290 Expecting an A zhangsta 12/22/2011	Dr. Suzuki presents everything using powerpoint slides, but she is a very good lecturer. She presents the material in a very clear and concise manner. She also posts handouts that you can take notes on. Her exam format is 20/50 points in slide IDS and 30/50 points in an essay. The slide IDs are the easy part. The essay is where most people lose points. The readings that she assigns help with the exam essays because they'll give you some ideas to write about. In short, it's an interesting class, but if you just need an HA class, take another one because this one is way too much work if you just need an HA.
Yui Suzuki ARTH290 Anonymous 12/21/2011	If considering taking this course with Suzuki, I suggest you run. She was a poor lecturer and gave wayyyyy too many details about artwork (basically gave us a formal analysis of everything) and then tests us on half of what she said. Also, she doesn't allow students to record her lectures because it's "copyrighted material" so if you miss class or fall asleep then find a friend who can provide you with notes. Grades aren't up yet but I think I got a C in the class because during the essay portion of the midterms, I failed miserably. Slide ID's (where you see an objet, identify it's name, date/period, material, etc.) I did well on. The TA's are not so specific on what they're looking for on essays so I didn't really know how to improve. Basically, this class is NOT an easy A. If you're looking for an easier HA/D core, look at the music stuff.
Yui Suzuki ARTH290 Anonymous 12/13/2011	This class has been an interesting experience. I signed up for this class to satisfy CORE credits. I expected a class where the art revolves around the culture, but instead I entered a class where the culture revolves around the art. Allow me to explain in a bit. First off, I am a studio art major, so I thought it was going to easy to examine and describe the objects, since as an artist I consider these type of things. Being an art major also helps because the vocabulary for describing the objects comes more easily. When a lecture is introduced, it usually begins with some background information about the corresponding regions and also key questions to consider, unifying elements for all the artifacts in the lecture. From there on, background information becomes scarce as you plunge into the array of objects and their purposes and meanings. From analyzing the artifacts' important and common characteristics, we learn about the culture and its beliefs, whether that be religion, tradition, politics, etc. Dr. Suzuki does a good job in explaining the objects and definitely knows what she's talking about. However, it felt that she was going too quickly sometimes during the Powerpoint, and names and locations were hard to write down just from hearing her say them. But that is partly my fault because before we came to classes, we were supposed to print out the handouts with all the info and look over them before class to get a better understanding of what is being taught. I didn't do the assigned readings, but now I know they are important in fully grasping the context/background of the cultures. The discussion sections with TAs are essential to this course. The TAs help us to take in the info from lectures and analyze them further. Getting to know your TA is important, too, as the TA will be the one grading your quizzes, exams, and papers. Office hours are generally convenient so stop by to visit if you have any questions regarding anything your TA writes on your paper. It really helps to speak up a lot during class when discussing artifacts, too, because your TA can correct any misconceptions. TAs not only reinforced the information that was taught to us in lectures, but they also prepared us for the important museum paper and a giant aspect of the entire course: WRITING. Yes, it is very important to be able to write well, organize your essay, and convey the analysis well and very clearly. Overall, this class was very enriching despite all the work and such. It provided me with a greater understanding and appreciation of all arts, knowing the behind intricate details and purposeful handiwork, deeper motives stand.
Yui Suzuki ARTH290 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/08/2011	I think people should know that this is NOT an "easy A" class. But you do learn a ton of stuff. First of all, this Yui Suzuki is a lady and she doesn't have an accent. So the first reviewer might be talking about a different Dr. Suzuki. She is overall quite knowledgeable and when I dropped by her office to ask a few questions she was willing to answer them and clarify what I need to know for the exams. Basically you need to do lots of dense reading, write proficiently, and be able to memorize facts about the objects that she talks about in lecture. The pictures of the objects are posted on ELMS, and she puts everything you need to know about them in a handout, which is also available on ELMS. One thing people really struggle with though, is writing. If you come in on the exam day prepared for the "Slide ID", which is identifying the artistic object, medium, time period...etc, you'll do fine on that section. But on the essays, she's looking for a lot of specific details. If you write a high-school level essay on your exam, you'll get a D or C, for sure. That's where everybody struggles since the essay is usually about 50% or more of your exam grade. The keys to success in this class are 1) DO THE ASSIGNED READINGS! and 2)realize that your TA is a tremendous resource. People complain about failing this class, but it's mainly because they never do any of the readings. Yeah the articles are really dense and if you read closely some of the writers aren't too good either, but they give you TONS of information you could use in your exam essay. Another thing is, if you get points off on your first exam essay, TALK TO YOUR TA about it. It might depend on who your TA is, but my TA (Matthew Lincoln) was approachable and very, very knowledgeable. He would tell you exactly what was wrong with your first one and what you could do to make improvements so you don't make the same mistake. That being said, if you're not already proficient in writing about humanities and arts and you don't make an effort to communicate with your TA, this class will be boring and annoying. Unlike in chemistry department, where an army of TA grades everybody's paper and you never know who graded which section of your exam, your personal TA grades every single thing you turn in to him in ARTH290. So I cannot stress enough how important it is to get to know exactly what the TA is looking for in each assignment.
Yui Suzuki ARTH290 Anonymous 08/23/2011	First of all you must know that I am not an art enthusiast. I took this class for diversity credit. However looking past the boring material of ARTH290 I want to honestly rate professor Suzuki on how he taught. If it is not easy for you to follow heavy accents than this is definitely not the professor for you. Most of the time I would only make out a few words in each sentence. When he spoke he took forever to get to the point of what he was talking about. It took so long that I would no longer remember where he even began. I have never heard a professor say "uhh" between every other word during the entire lecture. Very unprofessional. Lets just say that during the tests the lecture hall was packed and during the actual lectures was nearly empty. I'm sure professor Suzuki may be better in a smaller classroom where he said he perfers but as a stuent I do NOT recommend this professor

Yui Suzuki
ARTH290

Anonymous
09/09/2013

Her TA, Caroline Shields, is horrible. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Avoid at all costs.

Yui Suzuki
ARTH290

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/16/2012

Suzuki is very passionate about what she is teaching, but she expects a lot from students. So if you are going to take this class as a core requirement, don't. You have to memorize every single details about more than 50 artistic objects and places to do well in the exams. There is a research paper and you have to write 3 pages to describe a statue. In terms of TAs, if your TA does not like you, they can be really unreasonable with grading (which does not happen with TAs in other majors).

Yui Suzuki
ARTH290

Expecting an A
zhangsta
12/22/2011

Dr. Suzuki presents everything using powerpoint slides, but she is a very good lecturer. She presents the material in a very clear and concise manner. She also posts handouts that you can take notes on. Her exam format is 20/50 points in slide IDS and 30/50 points in an essay. The slide IDs are the easy part. The essay is where most people lose points. The readings that she assigns help with the exam essays because they'll give you some ideas to write about. In short, it's an interesting class, but if you just need an HA class, take another one because this one is way too much work if you just need an HA.

Yui Suzuki
ARTH290

Anonymous
12/21/2011

If considering taking this course with Suzuki, I suggest you run. She was a poor lecturer and gave wayyyyy too many details about artwork (basically gave us a formal analysis of everything) and then tests us on half of what she said. Also, she doesn't allow students to record her lectures because it's "copyrighted material" so if you miss class or fall asleep then find a friend who can provide you with notes. Grades aren't up yet but I think I got a C in the class because during the essay portion of the midterms, I failed miserably. Slide ID's (where you see an objet, identify it's name, date/period, material, etc.) I did well on. The TA's are not so specific on what they're looking for on essays so I didn't really know how to improve. Basically, this class is NOT an easy A. If you're looking for an easier HA/D core, look at the music stuff.

Yui Suzuki
ARTH290

Anonymous
12/13/2011

This class has been an interesting experience. I signed up for this class to satisfy CORE credits. I expected a class where the art revolves around the culture, but instead I entered a class where the culture revolves around the art. Allow me to explain in a bit. First off, I am a studio art major, so I thought it was going to easy to examine and describe the objects, since as an artist I consider these type of things. Being an art major also helps because the vocabulary for describing the objects comes more easily. When a lecture is introduced, it usually begins with some background information about the corresponding regions and also key questions to consider, unifying elements for all the artifacts in the lecture. From there on, background information becomes scarce as you plunge into the array of objects and their purposes and meanings. From analyzing the artifacts' important and common characteristics, we learn about the culture and its beliefs, whether that be religion, tradition, politics, etc. Dr. Suzuki does a good job in explaining the objects and definitely knows what she's talking about. However, it felt that she was going too quickly sometimes during the Powerpoint, and names and locations were hard to write down just from hearing her say them. But that is partly my fault because before we came to classes, we were supposed to print out the handouts with all the info and look over them before class to get a better understanding of what is being taught. I didn't do the assigned readings, but now I know they are important in fully grasping the context/background of the cultures. The discussion sections with TAs are essential to this course. The TAs help us to take in the info from lectures and analyze them further. Getting to know your TA is important, too, as the TA will be the one grading your quizzes, exams, and papers. Office hours are generally convenient so stop by to visit if you have any questions regarding anything your TA writes on your paper. It really helps to speak up a lot during class when discussing artifacts, too, because your TA can correct any misconceptions. TAs not only reinforced the information that was taught to us in lectures, but they also prepared us for the important museum paper and a giant aspect of the entire course: WRITING. Yes, it is very important to be able to write well, organize your essay, and convey the analysis well and very clearly. Overall, this class was very enriching despite all the work and such. It provided me with a greater understanding and appreciation of all arts, knowing the behind intricate details and purposeful handiwork, deeper motives stand.

Yui Suzuki
ARTH290

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/08/2011

I think people should know that this is NOT an "easy A" class. But you do learn a ton of stuff. First of all, this Yui Suzuki is a lady and she doesn't have an accent. So the first reviewer might be talking about a different Dr. Suzuki. She is overall quite knowledgeable and when I dropped by her office to ask a few questions she was willing to answer them and clarify what I need to know for the exams. Basically you need to do lots of dense reading, write proficiently, and be able to memorize facts about the objects that she talks about in lecture. The pictures of the objects are posted on ELMS, and she puts everything you need to know about them in a handout, which is also available on ELMS. One thing people really struggle with though, is writing. If you come in on the exam day prepared for the "Slide ID", which is identifying the artistic object, medium, time period...etc, you'll do fine on that section. But on the essays, she's looking for a lot of specific details. If you write a high-school level essay on your exam, you'll get a D or C, for sure. That's where everybody struggles since the essay is usually about 50% or more of your exam grade. The keys to success in this class are 1) DO THE ASSIGNED READINGS! and 2)realize that your TA is a tremendous resource. People complain about failing this class, but it's mainly because they never do any of the readings. Yeah the articles are really dense and if you read closely some of the writers aren't too good either, but they give you TONS of information you could use in your exam essay. Another thing is, if you get points off on your first exam essay, TALK TO YOUR TA about it. It might depend on who your TA is, but my TA (Matthew Lincoln) was approachable and very, very knowledgeable. He would tell you exactly what was wrong with your first one and what you could do to make improvements so you don't make the same mistake. That being said, if you're not already proficient in writing about humanities and arts and you don't make an effort to communicate with your TA, this class will be boring and annoying. Unlike in chemistry department, where an army of TA grades everybody's paper and you never know who graded which section of your exam, your personal TA grades every single thing you turn in to him in ARTH290. So I cannot stress enough how important it is to get to know exactly what the TA is looking for in each assignment.

Yui Suzuki
ARTH290

Anonymous
08/23/2011

First of all you must know that I am not an art enthusiast. I took this class for diversity credit. However looking past the boring material of ARTH290 I want to honestly rate professor Suzuki on how he taught. If it is not easy for you to follow heavy accents than this is definitely not the professor for you. Most of the time I would only make out a few words in each sentence. When he spoke he took forever to get to the point of what he was talking about. It took so long that I would no longer remember where he even began. I have never heard a professor say "uhh" between every other word during the entire lecture. Very unprofessional. Lets just say that during the tests the lecture hall was packed and during the actual lectures was nearly empty. I'm sure professor Suzuki may be better in a smaller classroom where he said he perfers but as a stuent I do NOT recommend this professor