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Cruz is pro-student, will take time to listen to your comments, and will help you if you are having trouble. His class tends to be a bit boring, but towards the end of the semester, I found his lectures to be interesting and opened my mind to many new circumstances and views.

Learned a lot. Great teacher. He really made the class interesting. and he is cute too!

I think that overall he is a good guy but in attempt to go above that he tends to care too much. Hence making him easily ticked off when you do something wrong.

His lectures are on the boring side. Sort of a monotonous voice. Very soft spoken so it's a little hard to hear. Very liberal. Willing to help students if you seek it after class. Willing to give extra credit. Tests are okay. You just have to pay attention. Make sure you do all the readings to pass this class.

he is VERY helpful. he will go out of his way for his students. class discussions may be a little too much for people because they have to do with race, but that's the nature of the class. TAKE THIS CLASS.

Great class ! Learned a lot from him.

U cannot talk about the present without talking about the past which is exactly what he does. History hurts. Midterm and final are fair. Talk to him during office hrs and class is much smoother. Gives study guides for both exams. A lot of documentaries and other relative films that help for the exams.

When i was first picking classes, i thought that cruz sounded like a chill laid back guy, but hes like the opposite. he can be helpful but his lectures are EXTREMELY boring. i had it on fridays for 3 hours straight though... all you will do is take notes on powerpoints.... one of my biggest regrets was taking is class....

I totally agree with what the person below me is saying! VERY BORING but I just suck it up, copy notes ... not that hard but not quite recommended

good teacher. not the best speaker, but he's cool. just take down the powerpoint notes, come to class, and read the book you'll do fine.

Good teacher, and basics all covered in class. Gives study guide for mid term and final in which he outlines the questions that are pretty much going to be on the test- ESSAY:Gives 3, choose 1, DEFINITIONS: Gives 10, choose 5. Easy and rare homework assignments. No group work, notes allon powerpoint.MAKE SURE 2 TAKE NOTES AND DO REFLECTION PAPERS!!

He is one of the best History teachers at SMC. He is very helpful and wants the best from you. However you must try yourself and make contact with him asap. If he knows your name that a plus. Make sure you keep up with the readings and do the relection papers.

American history taught through the non-white-male perspective...finally! Very informative, opens your eye to society. This class it not just academic, you can apply this material to today's world. Professor is very loyal and is willing to help students (with personal matter too!) Great class.

PROF. CRUZ'S CLASS WAS REALLY INTENSE, BUT VERY WORH IT. HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HISTORY AND IS A BIT DIFFICULT, BUT IF YOU KEEP UP WITH THE WORK HE IS CHILL. I STRONGLY RECOMEND HIS CLASS, CRUZ IS DA HOMIE! I GOT AN A, JUST DO THE WORK AND YOU'LL BREEZ THRU IT!!!

I took this class to complete the IGETC requirement and at first Professor Cruz came off as very mean but after talking to him he is a very cool teacher and as long as you attend class and do your work there will not be a problem. Very intersting topics in class as well.

I took History 42 with Jaime Cruz at first i though he was an **** but i was wrong he is a great teacher with a lot of knowlege and very willing to share it with you. he inspired me to countinue with my education he is one of the best proffersors ive had attendance is a must get the book read it take notes ask questions and you will ge an A

I was so scared to take him after reading all the comments below. However, i took him for history 10 and he is actually a VERY nice guy. It is NOT an easy A, but not hard at all. There are 3 reflection papers to do, which you get full points for as long as you meet the required amount of words. The rest, just take notes in class and you WILL get A

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Learned to appreciate the diverse American history after taking Cruz's class. He even provides study guides for the midterm and final. And we even had a cultural pot luck on the last day of class!!!

Cruz's class is very informative, you will learn a lot from his teaching and the textbooks are very intriguing. You will enjoy his class - I loved it! Got an "A"

Cruz keeps it REAL..those who dont like him cant handle the truth. He really cares about his students but wont help you unless youre willing to help yourself(going to his office hours, attending class,etc.) he is a wonderful professor and you will definitely see the world through a clearer lens after his class.

Took him in the winter session and his class is tough. The good thing is that he gives study guides. there's alot of writing. at times his lectures were fun but for the most part boring but I did learned alot from his class.

Mr.Cruz Is a great teacher, he really is. Obviously those who rated him bad are the ones who lack to do the work. Mr.Cruz know his stuff and speaks it like it is, but his work is duable not hard if you pay attention. He hardly leaves HW, its just reading and doing your reflection papers is a must. 1 research paper and midterm plus final. TAKE HIM !

TEACHER IS COOL HE IS NOT EASY BUT NOT HARD EITHER. I WOULD SAY HE IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. WORK IS A MUST BUT ITS ONLY 3-4 REFLECTION PAPERS AND 1 RESEARCH PAPER AND 2 TEST THAT IS ALL THROUGH SEMESTER. MR.CRUZ IS FUNNY AND A GREAT PROFESSOR. HE DOES NOT LIKE SLACKERS OR SLEEPING. HE WILL PUT YOU DOWN FOR THAT BUT OTHER THAN THAT HE'S A MUST TAKE.

I have to say i though his class was going to be much harder at the beginning of semester, he made it seem like it. His class is not hard at all tho, there is work that has to be done but nothing you cant do. theres a lot of note taking that sucks lol but i still recommend taking Mr.Cruz. You actually learn. sometimes sarcastic but he is a nice guy

I hated history and never cared about it but he makes the class interesting and its not nearly as boring as I imagined. I would definitely suggest taking his class

really good professor, take him over kawaguchi. This guy's ez going yet firm. For those that fall behind, he offers extra credit. He has a tough agressive attitude but a good professor. One more thing, do not arrive late to his class because he will make you arite your name on the dry erase board. DO NOT BE LATE!

Professor Cruz comes off very strict but he is reasonable. He has rules and enforces them because he wants a good academic environment, and doesn't want slackers in his class. I learned a lot in his class and I am glad I took it, even though it was challenging. Overall I would recommend him, he really cares about the students.

very GREAT professor!! I learned soooo much!! HE is amazing! HE inspired me so much. I highly recommend his class.

Professor Cruz is a great professor. His lectures start slow and then he starts rolling and gets a lot of info in by the end. If you are interested in the issues that racial minorities faced in American History then you should take the class. He teaches with a emphasis on chicanos and the issues that the local Mexican community faces for the Intls.

I took Professor Cruz for Winter 2013. His class was intense ,but you get a lot of knowledge out of it. His lectures are interesting and if you fall asleep then there is something wrong with you. If you do the readings and the homework you'll be fine. OH, STUDY AND JOIN A STUDY GROUP . Overall its a fun class.

Cruz is a great professor! The reading assignments will compliment his lectures, so make to keep up with the readings. The lectures at times, are pretty intense, but he's pretty funny so it loosens up the lectures, which is cool. Cruz is a fair grader, and I would recommend stopping by his office hours, he's very helpful.

IF YOU WANT TO ACTUALLY LEARN HISTORY, THIS IS THE CLASS TO TAKE. PROF. CRUZ MAKES LEARNING HISTORY INTERESTING AND ENGAGING. UNLIKE OTHER CLASSES THAT IVE TAKEN AT SMC, HIS CLASS CHALLENGES YOU TO THINK CRITICALLY. TWO HUGE THUMBS UP!

very inspiring and supportive. do the readings and the study guide, you'll get an A, you won't even need the ton of ec he provides. tough on attendance, and punctuality, so don't be late or absent. you'll have fun if you participate. don't be shy! he can be really scary and intimidating, but p cool one on one. content wise, it's hella interesting.

I really enjoyed Cruzs class this past semester. Unlike other history courses that Ive taken, Cruz allows you to see history from an ethnic perspective which is often overlooked. He makes you think critically, and I appreciated his relentless effort he makes to ensure that students succeed.

Jaime's class may be viewed as a hard class when viewing the syllabus ,but the class was rather easy and he is willing to help you pass the class with an A if you show effort. He really has a deep passion in teaching a subject and Keeps it interesting, but also has a sarcastic humor that makes you laugh. Overall I enjoyed the eye opening lectures

Cruz is passionate about what he teaches and helps you view history from a different perspective. he lectures almost every class which can get a bit boring but he keeps things fun with his sarcastic humor that obviously (based on his previous ratings) not everyone gets. his class is not very hard & if you do the study guide, you will pass his tests

Professor Cruz will make you work for your passing grade, but he is worth taking. He is very passionate and professional. He can seem rude but he is not, he is a kind professor. Get to know him and it will be great. If you are going to college for yourself you will enjoy this class. If you are going to school b/c u r forced to, you prob want easy.

Hands down one of the best professor at SMC!!!You know Cruz is a good professor when he gives you a mid-term and final study guide. Yes, he is tough but worth taking his class.

SMC needs more Chicano Professors like Cruz, hands down he's the best. His lectures are eye opening and empowering. If you are lazy and don't like to read then this isn't the class for you. Takaki 's book is an easy book to read and the key terms on the study guides are mentioned in their, check the index! Visit him, ask ?'s, & you'll be alright.

Professor Cruz is AMAZING! His lectures are so interesting, he is very organized and knowledgeable. His class requires reading but it's simple. He has become my favorite professor at SMC. Take him, you will not regret it!

do yourself a favor, and take this professor. stop being lazy, and do the reading. Don't slack off. Ask Questions. Answer the study guide that he provides you. Reflection papers are easy. don't drop the class, keep up

Prof. Cruz is constantly stumbling over his words and going off on tangents. He's extremely sarcastic... But he's an AMAZING professor. He means it when he says that he's there to help you and finds a way to help you as long as you put in the effort. I suggest you begin reading right away, and do not get caught behind because it'll affect you later

Tough Tests

Take this class w/ Professor Cruz! Lectures are very interesting and empowering . The discussions in class are interesting too and if other classmates participate, it makes it even more interesting! So read and be prepared to contribute to the discussion. if you put in work you will get the grade you deserve! also, create a study group. It helps!

Such a dope professor. Seriously, this class is for someone who genuinely goes to school to learn. His tests are tough but, they are doable with a study group and overall studying. Theres reading but, i think this class is worth it. Always keeps it interesting, genuinely cares about you. 5 Star professor no doubt.

Over the course of the semester, I also became a stronger writer. Many thanks to Prof. Cruz's reflection papers!

I had a great semester with Prof. Cruz. He is very passionate about history and offers different historical perspectives that I didn't even consider prior to enrolling in his class. Just don't fall behind on the readings lol

I really liked the way Prof. Cruz tied in historical events to the present. It made the class that much more interested. I really enjoyed my time in his class. He is very passionate and engaging with his lectures!

Cruz is a cool guy, don't be detoured by his stern demeanor. He means well he just has zero tolerance for BS (ie: being late to class, using electronics.) His lectures can really change your perception of the world and be very rewarding in the knowledge you acquire. Be respectful, show up to class, do the study guides, and this class is an easy A.

Good professor. I wouldn't race to take him again but wouldn't avoid either. There is a lot of reading and test aren't easy, but he's an easy grader if you just prove to him you did the reading and know what your talking about. He cares about the success of serious students. No feedback or lecture notes from him are big negatives for me.

Be sure you have your books ready on the first day. Theres lots of reading involved. Personally to help me keep up I got one of the books on audio. He provides study guides for mid term and final. Participation is a big thing. Hes very understanding and caring if a student is having problems. He knows what hes talking about.

Enrolled and professor cruz's History 10 class two forty last semester. He is a very passionate about history, he came prepared and he certainly challenge my way of thinking. Cruz knows the material well. He provides you with a midterm and final study guide - study it well and you will do well.

Different students have different experiences with their professors. From my own experience, I think my professor is good. As a student, it's important to do what your professor asks, especially when it comes to homework. He gives study guides for exams and midterms, so if you study hard, you can get an A. Attendance is also really important.

This professor is very passionate about his topic which makes the lecture very nice to listen to. There is a lot of reading and many written assignments which are time-consuming but doable. The mid-term and final are hand written essays from memory, in order to get an A do the study guides and memorise them and you should be fine.

the first few weeks were the toughest because i wasn't sure how the class would go on. it does get exceptionally easier though because all the assignments are the same just on different topics. recommend trying to form some type of connection with him!

Took him in Fall of '24 and it was enjoyable. Make sure to read the book and take lots of notes to help you study for your midterm & finals! He gives a study guide for both the midterm and final so if you want to pass you need to read the textbook to properly explain the questions it asks.

Prof. Cruz cares about his students don't let the monotone voice scare you. As long as you read the papers (READ not summarize with ChatGPT) you will pass. The assignments are light and easy and if you took any AP classes, especially APUSH, AP World, and AP Human Geo, then this class will be a breeze

Professor Cruz is a funny guy who's passionate about history. He really knows what he's talking about & he gives out a study guide before midterm & final. If you study & follow the guide, you will get an A. He also gives extra credit for attendance & proof that you studied for the test. Don't rely too much on the bad reviews in here!!