4.0
Quality3.6
Difficulty66%
Would Retake103
Reviews66%
Would Retake
103
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
50
4
31
3
9
2
8
1
5
What Students Say
“The class is terrible”
HBIO200 - 2.0 rating“Way too much memorization”
HBIO200 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
45%
Textbook Required
84%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.38 avg changeRatings by Course
ANTH
5.0
(1)ANTHRO200
5.0
(3)ANTHRO
5.0
(1)ANTH300
5.0
(1)ANTH220
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HIST200
5.0
HUMANANIMAL
4.0
HBIO200
4.0
ANTH200
3.4
ANTHRO200
3.3
Reviews (103)
Very nice, very smart, and an excellent teacher.
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Best class I've had at SC. Really intriguing subject matter. You can tell this guy knows his stuff.
Craig is an awesome teacher even though he is difficult when it comes to grading. His information on Bonobos is fascinating.
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He's seriously hot. Or at least he was 5 years ago.
one of the most entertaining profs here, and definately the best 100+ student lecture class I've had.
He's amazing he knows what hes talking about and hes really amusing...he has great anectdotes of field work ect
Great lecturer, very engaging. And totally gorgeous.
I hate this subject, but his lecture is interesting. I only studied 2days before the exam and I got C. It's kind of easy class, but I hate it.
such a hard class
His origins of humanity class is excellent! His lectures are thorough but not too heavy. His choice of materials was good too. Overall, a really great class.
Top USC PROF! Good Lecturer, funning, engaging. Beware, this class is hard. 2midterms, 1 final (multiple choice/essay ?'s). Lots of memorization of scientific names (Australopithecus aferensus, gigantopithicus, etc.) Stanford worte the textbook, so there is no BSing. Discussions are mandatory but faily easy (talking about the readings)
He is an understanding and lenient teacher. We had class once a week and I had a lot of issues come up during the semester and missed almost all the classes but he still gave me a good grade!
Stanford is an intelligent,clear, and enthusiastic professor. The material is fascinating and relevant. Tests require a lot of studying, but there are no tricks--test questions come straight from lecture. If you study, you'll do well. Reading the text isn't really necessary if you go to class. Recommended if you study well for the 3 tests.
He's a really nice guy, but this class was way to hard for a GE. Don't take it if you're looking for an easy A. The first midterm was easy, but the ones after kept getting harder. Not much reading since everything comes out of lecture.
Not the easiest class, but I found it interesting. Watch out for the second midterm - he grades harshly. I've recommended the class before, plus you get a Zoo trip out of it.
Professor Stanford is a great teacher, he wrote the textbook so he's very knowledgeable and funny. I really enjoyed this class. Take good notes and make flashcards for genus/species names and you should do fine. I really enjoyed this class, fascinating
Very enthusiastic teacher. It is alot of information to cover in the class and often feels overwhelming. The heavy memorization or terms/people/places was what made this class a drag at times, but are the MOST important part of his tests.
In order to get a decent grade you MUST do JEP...It will help you big time. Do ALL the extra credits...They're really easy plus it helps you in the end. I didn't read the textbook at all this semester, but the lectures are really IMPORTANT for tests. If you don't go to lectures make sure you get it from a someone. Good pre-major class.
Professor Stanford is great! I love his lectures, although the tests are very detailed and require a lot of studying. Overall, really interesting subject and well worth the work
no comment
GREAT PROFESSOR, knows what he's talking about. So approachable and helpful. Take this class, I actually enjoy it!
The exams in the class are challenging and are good tests of your knowledge. The class itself is very interesting and the teacher is hilarious. Definitely a good class, but involves a ton of studying.
Very easy class. Just go to lecture and memorize powerpoint notes to do well. Not difficult concepts
Excellent professor. Stanford is one of the top Anthropologists in the field and it was great to take a GE with him. His lectures were always interesting. Another incentive to go is that most of his exam questions are from lectures. Go to lectures - you will do well on the exams and actually learn something.
Great professor. I was never too interested in anthropology, but now I am! He makes the course very interesting. Make sure to go to discussion sessions. Do the extra credit too! It's pretty easy and it's worth a bit. JEP's a good idea, but it's quite time consuming.
Great professor. He is EXTREMELY knowledgeable and presents material in an interesting way. Class is not hard, but you have to study the power points and attend discussion sessions. I would definitely recommend this class for GE credit. Not hard to get an A
Pretty straightforward and easy class. Make sure you get James as your TA! He was the best. Also, you really don't need the text book; I never even opened it.
Way too hard to be a GE class. 2 midterms and a final, very few extra credit avaible(>1%).Many readings, take up about 10-15% of the test. I studied extra 20+ hours prior the 2nd midterm and merely passed the test. Don't take this class unless you're extremely interested in ANTH, or you will regret.
Very difficult class for a GE. Tough curve, only 3 midterms making up 90% of your grade. All memorization. Professor is helpful and clear however.
Not an easy class, but can do well if spend significant amount of time on it. 1. Be prepare to memorize specfics to do well in exams; 2. Make sure to go to discussion to get participation grade; 3. Do extra credits even though it counts only a little.
Great professor, lectures are interesting and he clearly knows what he's talking about. Tests are much harder than they should be for a GE, though, and make sure to go to every class because he doesn't post notes on Blackboard.
Very interesting lectures, but the class is way too hard for a GE. The class is curved, but you still need over a 90% raw score to get an A. I would only recommend if you're not taking any other hard classes. Not a good GE.
The grading scale was not too bad, but definitely not easy. For an averge performance based on the curve, that could get you an B. The 10 points above that you can get for B+/A- and 10 below was the D+ and C-.
If you're good at memorizing a large amount of information (ie Linnean nomenclature, dates, etc) then you'll do well. IMO way WAY too many readings and tests on most minute details. Rigid curve. Way too info heavy for a GE.
Dr. Stanford makes it clear at the start that questions for exams will come from his lectures, but he doesn't post the lecture slides on BB. Thus, while attendance is not mandatory, it is HIGHLY recommended that you go to class and take notes. Overall, a hard but engaging class.
Really great teacher/very interesting class. It is not an easy course, but if you put in the work, you will get a good grade. Would highly recommend to take as a GE. The class is also curved at the end.
Professor Stanford is a great professor. This course itself is pretty interesting and useful if you embrace it/actually try to learn. NOT an easy class,your grade basically relies on 3 midterms which are of pretty decent - high difficulty every time. If you really put in extra time, effort, and are studious, you can get an A. If not, you won't.
Stanford is a top tier professor. Class is fascinating and he teaches the material beautifully. Not that hard either, just memorize what he tells you to.
Literally hardest GE I've taken at USC. Class is fun, grades are not. Avoid unless you are either REALLY interested in ANTH or does not care about ur GPA.
Took Origin of Humanity as a GE and loved it! The lectures were interesting and he really knows his materials. The exams ARE hard, but if you put in the extra effort, it's possible to get an A. Class is curved, but if you're really worried about your grade and you still want to take this class, taking it as a Pass/No Pass is always an option.
Professor Stanford is a great teacher and the lectures are very interesting. With that being sad, he is not very nice if you go into his office hours or burden his email inbox with questions. Do not take this class if you don't have to, but if you do have to, it's not that bad.
Stanford is the best! His class was hard but he as clear as you can possibly be. The tests were only from the lectures. But he likes to test you on the minute details bc he assumes you're gonna study the bigger concepts anyways. He also makes fun of religious people a lot but being Christian, I was fine. 3 tests, no hw, some EC, no essays, 2 novels
Professor Stanford is really clear and very interesting to listen to. His class is pretty hard, but his lectures are actually interesting and worthwhile. He bases his tests mainly off the lectures so attendance is suggested but not required.
Prof Stanford is very clear and hilarious in his own right. Take good notes and study hard, it will be an easy A. Don't take it if your don't like to memorize a lot of information.
Avoid this class. Way too much memorization. Probably one of the hardest classes i've taken at USC and way too hard for a GE. Tests (multiple choice, fill in blank, essay) based on lectures and article readings. Don't take if you have another class that requires a lot of memorization. Good professor, interesting lectures, tests are insanely hard.
Professor Stanford was very passionate about the subject and made lectures very interesting. It is necessary to attend all lectures because notes are not posted online and the textbook is not used much. The tests were primarily memorization and were not too difficult. However, be prepared to memorize many scientific names.
By far the toughest class Ive taken at USC, probably tougher than most of the upper divs I've taken. That being said, his lectures are very interesting. Take very good notes because he doesn't post it online and the three exams are based off of the notes. Be prepared to memorize various scientific names (mostly in latin). Go to his/TA office hours!
Stanford is a really clear and helpful professor. The lectures are interesting and he is engaging. 3 midterms worth 90% and readings every week with brief notes to make sure you did them. It was the smallest workload for a GE I've had and not that hard IMO but I am interested in the subject so I am biased. You should be good at memorization.
Take this class during the fall or whenever Stanford is teaching it. The class is much easier when he's teaching. Tests are completely lecture based. There's a paper for the Goodall book which ended up being 1 page. There's 3 extra credit opportunities. Tests get pretty specific. Easy for an HBIO major, if you don't like science beware.
AMAZING! This class almost made me quit public policy to go study chimpanzees and fossils. Your grade isn't based on much, so don't expect and easy A. But the content in the class paired with is knowledge and experience makes it very interesting. He worked under Jane Goodall... he's legit.
Decent professor but the class is just such a waste of time. The majority of the time you learn about completely useless things. Non engaging at all majority of the time. Tests are extremely nit-picky and illogical. It is a useless memorization class at its core. I would not take it if I could go back in time.
The class is terrible. Take it Pass/No Pass or do not take it at all. It has so much potential to be an interesting or engaging class, but instead it is a complete waste of time and useless. You learn about completely meaningless things, and the tests are based on elementary memorization skills. It's a junior high class. Avoid at all costs.
This class was easily the hardest class I've taken at USC. I would use your pass/fail for this GE for sure. The class was very test heavy, basically only graded on 3 tests (no final). And if you don't attend lecture, you will fail. He doesn't post the slides on Blackboard so you have to go and pay attention. He's a good professor though.
This is one of the hardest GE's offered in USC. The class consists of 3 midterms and 3 E.C. that is worth 1 point. (doesn't make a differences) I personally suggest no one takes this class for a GE. Take it pass/fail if you are going to end up taking it . Midterms are based off of the lecture notes, but lectures consist of long boring stories.
he is humorous in a natural way, making the class much more interesting. class is not the hardest among natural science GE, the grading system is very reasonable with many extra credit options.
His lectures are really interesting, but it is a lot of memorizing.
definitely not an easy GE, but it is manageable. three exams and a take home essay as the final exam. also gives three extra credit opportunities. lectures are a hit or miss but most of the times the lectures are super interesting. be prepared to memorize for the exams.
This course was hard but I enjoyed the material
Loved taking HBIO 200 online, he uploaded all of his lectures ahead of time so that you could watch them when you're free. I know some of my classmates took this for a GE, but I took it for major credit and found it pretty straightforward. I think he's a great lecturer and I would recommend the class if you're interested in the material.
You are graded solely on three midterm and the final, but if you take detailed notes throughout the semester this wont be a problem. His lectures are extremely engaging, and interesting. There is a lot of memorization but besides that it's not too tough. Lab is kind of dull.
This is specific to the online version of the class. I assume it is a lot easier than his regular class because tests are open notes. His lectures were really great, pre-recorded, and split into 20-40 mins sections making it easy to watch. Write notes while you watch the lectures and you'll be able to do well in the 3 midterms. Great professor!
I took HBIO200 online. All the lectures were prerecorded and Craig was excellent at being concise and providing information. There were 3 tests and one paper as the final. Lab was easy and the content was interesting.
Took this class online, the lectures are prerecorded and Stanford is great at explaining things well. You could do well on exams by just making really good notes of lectures and labs. Material is interesting but kinda dense, but Stanford is an interesting guy and makes it enjoyable. Pretty easy GE content-wise, just a lot of memorizing.
Dr. Stanford is super knowledgeable and a great lecturer. I took this class for a GE, but it was interesting. Hybrid format, with lectures online and labs in-person, so you mainly interacted with the TAs. Be ready to take detailed notes if you want an A. 3 tests make up 75% of your grade, but they grade holistically so show effort & you'll be fine.
Found the content to be really interesting, and professor Stanford is incredibly knowledgeable on what he's teaching. The tests are pretty difficult for a GE--the average has been a C+ on all of them so far--w/ lots of detailed memorization. Attending the lectures is essentially mandatory since none of the content posted online. No homework.
He's very knowledgeable, he knows what he's teaching. Lectures are heavy indeed, but worth listening to. Grades basically heavily depend on a few summative exams, which is kinda stressful. Detailed information needs to remember for the test. I have to study very hard to get an okay grade, the class average is C+. A hard course but a good professor.
Stanford is enjoyable and his lectures are entertaining.But after that GOD the tests are so hard. Picks the smallest details from lecture and puts them on the midterms. Class consists of 3 midterms and a final 1000 word essay. The three midterms are extremely difficult studied for 2 weeks before and still got a B on one which was my highest score.
This class was alright. 3 midterms throughout semester. he tests you on super small details that you probably didn't even review. even after studying for weeks, I barely passed the class. lecture heavy and he sometimes incorporates his opinion in slides. lecture can be boring sometimes. go to lab and attend lecture & I think u should be fine
I thought this was going to be an easy science GE from previous reviews but nope. Stanford expects you to know really specific info about dates and names of discoverers; to get an A in this class you need to memorize!! Lectures are quite boring and he doesn't post slides after class. Don't take if you want an easy GE.
If you're looking for an easy Ge dont take this course. The study guides posted are very vague and half of what was put on the guide wasn't even on the exam. They require you to remember tedious information that requires hours and hours of studying in order to memorize everything. Theres also a final essay. TA's were helpful.
Professor Stanford is a great lecturer overall. Extremely knowledgeable and lectures were very interesting. HBIO200 is NOT an easy GE, and you have to memorize a lot for midterms. But my TA was amazing - made everything so much easier and enjoyable. An A is definitely possible if you work hard and do extra credit.
Hard class. Grade depends on 3 midterms and lab participation. Exams are difficult, will test you on details. Absolutely worth taking as a GE though, evolution is the next frontier in human progress. A must-know for someone living in the 21st century.
Three extra credits, three trips to different places in LA that gives you better understanding about primates. He is sometimes funny, and his lectures are pretty cool and on the point. The tests are not hard, and do the final paper. The labs are basically about studying models of primate fossils, and it is super cool. It is a very meaningful course
Do not take this for a GE. The tests are unbelievably hard. He tests you on the smallest details that you probably never even had in your notes. That being said, Professor Stanford is very knowledgeable and has lots of experience in the anthropology field. I believe he wants us to take away many things from the class but the tests are horrendous.
I learned a lot in this class and he has a lot of first hand knowledge of the topic, which made it even better. We got 10% extra credit for going to the zoo, tests & essays were very reasonable. Downsides: He does take attendance/ doesn't post slides. He also name drops a lot but for good reason. I would too if I was friends with Jane Goodall.
Really inspiring professor, midterms are SO HARD. Lab attendance is mandatory, I recommend building a relationship with TA's and aiming for 100% in lab. Class average was low for first midterm. 3 midterms no final, only graded on 3 midterms and one paper (paper was canceled this sem though), great professor, bad exams.
The class seems straightforward but is way more difficult than what is said on the syllabus. Lecture materials are not uploaded to Blackboard and a good portion of the exam questions were mentioned orally by Stanford, so you better be a good oral learning. Exams are way too hard, which even the lab instructors think. Lectures are also boring.
Doesn't post lecture slides and all exams are closed note, closed book for whatever reason (he knows most people are taking it as a GE and will eventually forget most of the content we cram). Craig's a nice guy and the class is interesting but the structure is stressful which kind of takes away from that.
This class wasn't too difficult, but you'd need to study correctly. Since there's lots of content, you should go to lectures to write notes, then condense and read through/memorize when the exam date is closer. There is a textbook, but it's unnecessary as you're tested on lab and lecture. Lectures were interesting and great TA's
professor stanford is very funny & passionate abt the content. you'll get a good grade IF you put in the work; this is by no means a walk in the park GE. lab ta's are amazing. content on tests is from lab, lecture, and stanford's textbook. attendance isn't mandatory but the slides aren't posted so you're not gonna get a good grade unless u attend
very difficult
One of the best classes I have ever taken at USC. Never thought primates could be that interesting. Professor Stanford is really good at telling stories. BUT the tests are so hard and I would not take this class if not for P/NP.
One of the best professors I've ever had. Knowledgeable and experienced. The class is difficult and content heavy but the material is interesting and worth the work. Would def recommend to take as a GE if you're interested in the subject!!
A great scholar, researcher and lecturer but an abysmal professor because of his exams. Studying for them is abject misery and the actual exams are rank obscenity. The exam material is anything ever came out of his mouth. The study guides are categorically useless. You'd love the class if you like monkeys but don't take for GE. Have Dave as your TA
I'm baffled by the positive reviews this professor gets, my experience has been very frustrating. It feels like he simply doesn't care about his students. He is the most disconnected professor who simply doesn't care enough to help students pass his classes, all he cares is about informing them with a bunch of lecture information. Do not go here.
I mean - yeah, the class is kinda interesting, but the guy clearly doesn't care if you fail. Three brutal midterms making up most of your grade? He's just out to screw you over. Bro needs to get off his high horse, stop pretending he's Indiana Jones, post the slides, and chill a bit and have more diversification for grading.
Whatever you do don't take this terrible class
A challenging course with an extremely knowledgeable, if not very approachable professor. Lectures are interesting imo. He doesn't post lecture slides either, so get to class. Don't take if the material won't be interesting to you. Textbook helped fill in gaps. My TA was awesome, but I've heard mixed things
just don't
This class is an exceptional amount of material in such a short period of time. Professor never shares his slides and there's 3 midterms which accounts for basically all of your grade. Such a difficult ge. Take another class besides this.
TLDR: Tough but fair. If you attend lectures, do the readings, and study you will get an A. Really interesting topic, but very very information dense. Lectures are not posted online and tests are mostly based on the lectures. There is a book that is not really required, but is seriously helpful to read. A lot of work but I would take again.
100% recommend this course and prof stanford, learned a lot and genuinely enjoyed going to lecture. BUT, this is by no means an easy GE, as material isn't posted and he will test off virtually anything shown in lecture. tests aren't difficult, but take a while to study since u have to memorize a lot of context. If u put in the work, you'll do well
Great class. It's possible to pass this class Pass/Fail without purchasing the textbook or studying, but it was very close.
AVOID THIS COURSE!! Rlly don't get how these teacher's pets give Craig GLOWING reviews here while most are failing or scraping by with Cs lol. The tests r hella brutal & that's basically all he grades. Unless you dream of living like a world explorer like Nathan Drake 24/7 (but way less exciting), steer clear of this yap horror fest called a class.
he was funny and entertaining. tests sucked and i wanted to cry b4 and after every single one. he does not post lecture notes so you basically have to go. this isn't an awful class, but its just kinda a lot and is v overwhelming, plus the study guides were awful so it was basically a guessing game as to what to study. monkeys are lowk dope tho
Very interesting guy with a lot of cool stories. I feel like I learned a lot in this class, though there was a lot of content that felt kind of useless. Do not take this class if you can't deal with memorization.
The professor is nice. I think the material itself is fascinating but the midterms are very difficult. Recommend to attend the lab 100 percent (counts towards your grades), but the lectures are not mandatory for attendance (but I definitely recommend to attend). The lecture only has 5 grading materials; the midterms, extra credit, and lab points.
The most interesting class I've taken, and Stanford is an incredible lecturer. Not only does he make lectures entertaining, but he hosts extremely helpful exam reviews. Great TAs but mandatory lab attendance. 3 midterms and a final paper, but many extra credit opportunities. Don't get me wrong, it's a difficult class, but still very enjoyable.
Interesting lectures but sometimes inconsistent with TA's contents. Could be confusing sometimes. No homework, but be prepared for three difficult midterms, won't be too terrible if you recite the notes (but I will say this is work heavy). He has online Q&A sessions before each midterm, but I personally did not find this very helpful.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
45%
Textbook Required
84%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.38 avg changeRatings by Course
ANTH
5.0
(1)ANTHRO200
5.0
(3)ANTHRO
5.0
(1)ANTH300
5.0
(1)ANTH220
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HIST200
5.0
HUMANANIMAL
4.0
HBIO200
4.0
ANTH200
3.4
ANTHRO200
3.3