Very easy class. Very helpful. Some things are shady on explanation. Good prof.

He is awesome and he always has good TA's usually hot ones too.

I learned the countries

Great class! I loved the music, recipes, videos, slides and the guest speakers. I learned a lot about our country. Montello has a good sense of humor even if he is rather arrogant. This class is one of the reasons why I'm changing my major to geography.

Always animated, cheesy sense of humor but it makes you laugh. He is very well-spoken, articulate, educated, omniscient in his field(i've read about theories and studies of his in other classes). Overall good, he actually attempts to make class fun.

Dr. Montello was one of the best professors i've ever had, he made statistics fast fun and easy and applied many great analogies to make explainations clear and fun.

One of the most entertaining professors I ever had. The type of teacher that really makes me miss college.

Great Professor!.. Very funny!.. you get a lot out of each lecture he gives!.. Easy but fun class!.. Take it!

Its a good class, make sure you go to all the lectures though!

everyone should take take geog 5

Easy class with great lectures. Funny and Entertaining Professor. Its more than just learning the countries. Highly recommend this class.

Great Prof.! One of the best I've had. Very knowledgeable and well-spoken. Funny sense of humor--cares to liven up the class. Definitely take Geog 5 or 50!

He is my favorite teacher at UCSB. Both funny and interesting. The class is very easy.

this man is amazing simply because he is such an ass. if you're not a geography major now...then you will be when he's done with you!

This is one of the best classes I have taken at UCSB, it gives you a lot of perspective on the situation of the world. A lot of people think Montello is an arrogant ass, but I think thats what makes him entertaining.

One of the best classes ive taken here at UCSB, great lectures, easy labs, tests are not easy but not hard, interesting material.

This was one of the best classes I've ever taken. The material was interesting, the tests and assignments were easy, and I think the professor is absolutely hilarious. I honestly have no idea why people don't like him. My advice: go to lecture and pay attention, but there is no need to read the book. I defintely recommend this class!

This class was great! In fact, the people who think the prof. is an ass and think the class was hard have issues. He is not an ass, he just has a great sense of humor. Plus, as long as you pay attention in lecture and write down everything he says, you'll easily ace the class. No need to read the book. Everyone should take this class!

Eh, Montello is a little too cynical and imposing in his views/jokes for my liking, but he was a pretty funny guy. This class isn't too hard, go to lecture and you'll be fine.

definitely one of the most organized and intiguing classes i've taken thus far. Montello clearly knows his stuff and makes for an interesting professor with jokes and a great sense of sarcasm. weekly hw assignments, two midterms, and a final - all multiple choice. highly reccomend for a GE and a way to expand your mind about geography.

Great class. Very intresting, as long as you go to class you'll get an A. This is the only class i attended simply because it was the only one i woudlnt fall asleep through. Easy A, great Teacher. take this class

Loved his class, humor, and tests. The map test at the end of geography 5 was terrible though.

Montello is an absolute prick of a man. He's arrogant, insensitive and completely driven by a superiority complex centered around Geography. His jokes are almost as awful as they are frequent. He quizzes you on how to cook chiles. And he looks like Wayne Knight in a slightly nicer suit. In other words hes completely amazing. Take him & sit up front

So...yeah these ratings led me the wrong way when i picked this class. Seemed like he was gonna be funny but he really wasn't too much and really didn't make it very interesting for us.Pretty dry lectures.However, studying for tests was not hard and hardly any work and no textbook reading needed.Easy tests if you study. Countries were fun actually

What these previous posters has said is utterly wrong. This class is a piece of cake if you just go to his lectures, no textbook use at all. Tells you what will be on the final the first day of class and gives a comprehensive study guide of all his tests the class before. See him in office hours and he will let you copy test questions. Take it!!

Very interesting class. If you attended all the lectures and took good notes you should be able to get an A without doing any reading. Test require some studying, but are not too hard because they're all multiple choice. Start studying for the country exam early in the quater!

Montello is a great professor who teaches an incredibly interesting class. He can easily come off as uptight or abrasive, but give him some time before you come to a conclusion about him. I would certianly recomend his Geog5 class to anyone.

There are a good amount of terms on the midterms from the book- you just need to review the key terms at the end of each assigned chapter. This class was definetely NOT easy, i went to every lecture but his midterm questions are hard regardless. Im definetely never taking another geography class again.

He is kind of arrogant and an ass and what he teaches isn't that interesting. Really easy to take notes because he follows an outline. Multiple choice tests but questions are kind of tricky. You have to learn all the countries of the world which actually isn't that bad. Overall it's a good class to take for general ed because it's pretty easy.

His lectures are entertaining, informative and to-the-point.

Montello is hilarious, but loves himself. REALLY interesting class. Just took the midterm (W08) and it wasn't bad at all, but would have been brutal if I did not study. I hear alot of kids during lecture hate on this guy. Take him if you're not a **** and learn something. He has so many awesome random facts. 2 exams, GO TO LECTURE!

he seemed kind of pompous, but the class material was pretty interesting. theres a country test during the final where you need to know every country in the world, but shouldn't every college student know that? my TA was a jackass...but you had to go to section in order to complete weekly asssignments

His lectures are good but the tests are somewhat hard. There's too much to know and I think it would've been better if he broke it down into 3 to 4 tests instead of a midterm and a final.Be prepared to name all the states and their rightful places + their capitals. Also, learn the major cities in the U.S. and Canada that has 1 million + populations

The lectures were actually very interesting and he has a sense of humor too. I never used the textbook, just go to lecture and discussion and you'll be fine. Exams were fair, just study and it won't be too bad. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. It adds up if you don't do it, and generally they are simple and questions from them are on the exams. Highly recommended

Prof. Montello is a pretty good guy, he tells some pretty lame jokes, but i chuckled a few times. There's a lot of textbook reading, but I never read. Just study for the tests, do the homework, go to section. The class material was interesting as well.

tricky test questions.../ youll see. don't have to read pretty much at all. go to section and do homework though! and learning the countries isn't that bad

His class was really easy. Attend lecture, if not then read the book. Sections are super easy. There is a small homework assignment about every other week. The tests are multiple choice. There is an exam testing the countries of the world. Start studying early and you will do fine.

This is a once a week class, but you definitely need to attend that lecture every week. Prof. Montello is a nice guy, but the course is a little boring. The tests are a little difficult but pretty easy to pass. I recommend taking pass/fail or else studying pretty hard.

Pay attention during lectures, they are extremely beneficial.Save your money, don't buy the textbook. Dan is a genuine guy that actually cares for his students

You need to go to lecture to get a good grade on exams, he draws most questions from the lecture. Take good notes! Start studying for the country exam early and you'll be fine. He gives two midterms which are a couple of weeks apart, that's kind of stressful. An interesting professor who genuinely cares for his students and is very approachable.

This class is fine if you go to lecture. Most of the questions on his tests are straight from your notes. Two midterms. Second one is way harder than the first but still not terrible. Country exam is easy if you put in the time. Overall pretty interesting class.

He is funny and keeps lecture interesting. The tests are a bit confusing though.

AMAZING professor! So funny and entertaining! class was not too difficult, anyone can pass if they go to lecture and section. don't need the book at all

Liked his dry sense of humor at first, but it got old pretty fast. Tests you on pretty much every word said in class, even things that don't seem important. Book was not really necessary, and I was really mad when he took Africa off of the country test for the final, i knew that one the best!

he is a cool dude but tests are pretty much on everything he ever said.

GREAT professor! He keeps USA geography interesting with songs and recipes of the week, and has great humor. Tests are easy if you study the terms on the review sheet he gives you. Test questions can be quite humorous too. Overall, great teacher, very down to earth and more than fair grader! =]

The class is pretty interesting. Tests are not easy, tested on pretty much everything and the textbook is crappy (i think they changed it though). Good professor, he kept things interesting and i liked his sense of humor

Really good professor. I enjoyed his sense of humor, and he really knows what he's talking about. The tests are based off of his lectures, and are not too bad if you pay attention to lectures. I hope to take a class of his again.

Understanding this dude's research will help you understand how he approaches teaching. Can be overbearing but also high quality educator.

Dan Montello is quite possibly the greatest man who has ever lived. Easily the funniest, smartest and wittiest man you will ever encounter.

Professor Montello is very interested in how humans perceive the world, and designs his lectures, assignments, and tests accordingly. If you consider the application of course material to everyday life, the seemingly complex material should be relatively easy to understand. You will likely find yourself thinking pleasantly trippy thoughts.

Montello is a very interesting and enthusiastic teacher. The material is pretty common sensical but you do have to go to lecture since he doesn't post powerpoints. Don't be intimidated by the country exam...if anything it will be easy points on the final, which was actually really easy. I definitely recommend this class!

He gets very sidetracked most of the time during lectures, although he can be very humorous. Definitely take notes on a computer, it helps organize his points, and if you type the outline he gives, it is simply adding bullet points between them. Material seems like common sense, but still be sure to study since midterms can be worded confusingly.

I'm not sure if it's because I am majoring in Geography/GIS or what, but I actually enjoyed Montello. Yes some of it is unnecessarily hard but I learned a lot. Also yes, if you want to do well you must show up to lecture and take really good notes, and yes must also read the book. Montello is overbearing at times but his lectures were quite good.

Montello is a cool professor. The class definitely isnt too hard, just make sure you go to lecture. his lectures are outlined and easy to follow, plus he writes the important stuff on the board. he's also really helpful during office hours

Funny guy. Very easy to follow along during lectures since he outlines them, but he does go quickly thru material at times. Didn't read the book; took good notes every lecture; got an A

Fairly easy course. Do not buy the book or even bother to read it. All questions come from lecture. Remember all the seemingly stupid facts he gives out and you'll be fine. Got an A without much work beside memorizing the study guide

Write down everything he says. He does give out study guides before tests, but they are huge and take a long time to do, so start early. Don't buy the book, you don't need it. Just pay attention in lecture, to EVERYTHING

This class was so interesting and really made you think. 2 midterms,5 hwk assignments, final+country exam. Go to class, PAY ATTENTION, read, and most importantly if your dont understand something visit his office hours. That is when he is most helpful. The country exam is easy points rewarded to the smart students who actually study ahead of time.

Never used the book->the reading is the exact same as the lectures, so dont waste your time doing both. The subject is very boring and includes many, many different subjects from UV rays to migration. However, Prof Montello is super funny and really cool and understanding in office hours.

One reviewer said "Dan Montello is quite possibly the greatest man on earth". I agree with this (geographic) statement. He can be arrogant, but is also very cool. This broad course covered a variety of interesting topics. Take good notes and supplement them with reading, know the study guides. I look at the world differently because of this class!

Dan Montello is one of the best teachers you are going to have at UCSB. Yes he is hard, but he isn't the kind of teacher who simply reads off of a powerpoint. The tests are entirely off lecture. Just go to class and type your notes.

Great professor, entertaining and funny lectures make the content enjoyable. It isn't easy, and he definitely is arrogant about his vast knowledge of geography, but I don't blame him. He is really helpful and open to students, overall a great guy.

I really liked Montello because he was always open to answering questions and took an actual interest in your life during office hours. There are 2 midterms and a 2 part final (multiple choice and country exam). Go to the lectures, take notes on your laptop because information can come one after another, and just study consistently.

Learned so much about geog! Enjoyed the lecture a lot!! I was also proud of myself for memorizing all the countries.

The class was somewhat of a challenge. I never cracked open the book and still got a decent grade in the class. Go to lecture, take notes on a laptop and form study groups to knock out the midterm review.

Lots of studying and dedication if you want to get a good grade. DON'T MISS CLASS. Everything he says in class is on the midterm and final. Highly recommend to take notes on your laptop because he can sometimes go too fast.

Nice professor, always willing to help. Give study guide a week before the exam.

Montello is the kind of professor who can go on a lot of tangents without hurting the course. He is proud of his knowledge but doesn't belittle students. If you are not a lecture person you will have trouble with this class, but he is extremely accessible outside of class, goes over commonly missed questions, and provides (dense) study guides.

Montello can be very cocky, but he is funny and cares about his students. Going to lecture was very helpful. The class itself was not hard, just a lot of information. The first midterm was much easier than the second, so make sure to study for the second one a lot. Learning all the countries was not hard at all, so don't be discouraged.

I personally think Professor Montello is funny,interesting; his lectures are clear, coherent, and the material is pretty easy to understand. Geo5 class first midterm is doable, but you need to study. Montello gave us a dense study guide, but it was helpful. I've only used the textbook to help study before tests. Overall, a solid professor for Geo5.

Professor Montello is knowledgeable and overall great guy. Shares a lot of good stories and even has recipes on his slides that give you a really good vibe. Not an easy class since you cant skip lecture and assume youll do good on the tests. Very manageable if you ask for help. Id recommend this class if you enjoy taking tests and like history.

It is my second time to take this course with Prof. Montello !! This course is really challenging for non- native speakers, but professor is really approachable outside class. Often go to his office hours to talk with him. He talks a lot of tangents in class, which may be tested lol. It is not that hard if you take good notes and attend lecture!

I was skeptical about this class going in but I really enjoyed every lecture. He is very funny and makes the lectures interesting with his enthusiasm and charisma. Go to class and take notes and tests are straightforward. Highly recommend

He assigned his own textbook, so you can be pretty sure they correspond well to lectures. Interesting class, funny dude. My only gripe is the 3 hour class time, but I knew what I was signing on for.

I'm not sure why everyone's hating on this class. GEOG5 is incredibly basic and easy. These ratings had me thinking the tests would be horrible. Literally just pay attention during lecture. He follows the outlines almost to a T-but does add in some important stuff. Fell asleep for a bit in every other class pre-midterm one and still aced it so

To whom it may concern, Professor Montello is a good lecturer. The ratings were so because people don't work hard enough to deserve the credit in class. The course is info-heavy but also common sense - which means if you focus in class, complete your course assignments, study for tests (as what students are supposed to do), you can get an easy A.

Attend lectures and take notes or you will fail. However, lectures were interesting and I didn't mind. The class isn't that hard if you pay attention and do the reading but if you have no interest in geography it will probably be very boring

Montello is a good speaker, which makes pretty bland material interesting. Lectures are very well organized and test material is directly from the lectures. Main negative of the class is that it is difficult to make up for missed lectures since he doesn't post notes or slides and lectures only partially follow the textbook.

Easy GE; long tests but the longass study guides cover everything -- as long as you understand the concepts you'll be fine (don't ONLY memorize). Textbook is helpful but you can google stuff not covered in lecture + there are past quizlets online. If you take notes using his lecture guides you can literally zone out for most of class and be fine.

I loved Dan Montello! He was hilarious and as long as you're paying attention in class he's really easy to follow along. He talks the entire class but I enjoyed it a lot! I can see why other people wouldn't like him. His exams are filled with a lot of trick questions so read very carefully and understand the concept of each word on his study guide.