She's HARD... if you're looking for an easy A or B: FORGET IT... But her passion for the subject is really something to respect and admire.

In my point of view, she was clear, sticks to her syllabus, read the text chapters she recommends, it is easy if you read, she reviews a lot. Helps with the final exam. You will see the same thing on the final and all her tests. Just read and review your previous notes and don't throw them away.

SOMETIMES NOT SO CLEAR ABOUT WHAT SHE'S TEACHING. READING AND BOOKS ARE A MUST. HELPFUL WHEN ASKED.

she makes the class ineteresting. Shes kindA wierd but cool. Its not an easy class but what science class is? her accent is thick but you will get used to it. she really sticks to the syllabus so theres no confusion.

I took her class at city college and it was very hard.The subject matter is not easy to explain, grasp, or memorize anyways so it may not be entirely her fault. She is a very cool woman and can be really funy as well. Her tests are a little to broad though.

The class is a challange, but if u stick by it youll pass with no problem just forget the other comments and lsten to this one lol.

in the beggining she is really tough and she scares you...but the class is interesting and shes funny. Attendance is important, read the book and study what she gives you. Everything she gives as notes will be on the test and quizes. And a day or two before, she will go over everything. This class is hard because of the subject but shes reasonable.

I can say this class was challanging but if you read the material you'll get through it, many believe it's a hard class but thats beacuase the material is not reviewed well,a GREAT TIP you can follow and pass with an A is READ EACH CHAPTER WHEN YOUR SUPPOSE TO,DONT LET CHAPTERS CATCH UP TO YOU,HER TEST ARE MOSTLY BASED ON WHAT THE BOOK SAY!SHES FUN

She is a very good teacher, you should take this class. She makes it fun and, a true fact is that you should read the chapters ahead to get good grades but overall it is a very interesting class and the teacher can be very easygoing : )

be patient and review alittle on your notes and read like a page per day (which is NOTHING) if you want an A, if you want a B then read chapters a week before the test and review notes, if you want a C then read a night before and glance through notes, (not good beaucase its an easy A in this class just keep up with the material. She Funny&Nice!!

I loved this class! At the beginning I was afraid to take it because I read her class was a "challenge" and it is. I struggled a little bit and I think this is the reason why I enjoyed this class so much. I actually put a great effort to get an A. Read before going to class; else you won't know what the hell is going on. She's a great professor, do

the professor is intelligence but is strict, i like the clas but is so hard, no home work but give extracredit opportunity

this teacher is the best teacher for anthropology in southwestern college, the only thing you need to do to get an A is reading the book and do the extra credits!! thats all, if you do that, you will get an A++

very hard class if you are not in to it...but just like in life you have to work hard to succeed..so if you work hard in the class you´ll get an A..and also do the book review...i regret not doing it..ha!

She was an outstanding teacher she kept you intrested and willing to try harder. She related it to our lives and how her career has affected her.Your easiest way to get a good grade is to be intrested and curious. If you dont its only going to make the class harder.

WOW! what a semester! Really good professor, she scares you saying it is a easy "D" class but if you read the textbook, go online, study hard you can get an "A" and do the extra credit it helps.The best thing about the class is that you really learn so just a heads up realy AWESOME CLASS BUT MUST DO THE WORK

Prof. Jelaca is a good teacher, her classes are very interesting and go by fast. Gotta read the book and you gotta do it otherwise you'll be lost. The topics are hard but with ur reading and her teaching, it will be clear. I got a D since I had poor attendance and I miss a test. I am retaking her class and I will be going this time. Take D class.

It's a good teacher have, a good way to entertainament to the students,

Good.

teacher was very outgoing, friendly and the class was interesting. However, the tests we took were very difficult since you have to know the exact spelling of certain things or if you didnt pay enough attention to the question, you got it wrong since there are several responces that are very similar. she was a very nice person and offered help

She is an AWESOME teacher! Some people complain about her being a bad teacher or not being able to understand her. They just don't understand the subject matter. She teaches at a university level and I applaud her for it. If your lazy or looking for an easy A, look elsewhere.

Good teacher; she really knows her stuff. She may seem like a bit of intimidating presence, but she is actually very approachable. I would recommend her to a friend.

I find her attractiveshes funnie. You willeither love or hate this class. It can be very boring ifyou arent into evol. anthrobut she does her best tomakeit interesting in herownway. You have to show up+have to do the work in order to pass. she is a no bs teacher and teaches at a University level! if you're down for a challenge take her class! the W

Just started her class but already she is a great teacher. She is NEVER late & has a great demeanor. She is very funny and makes the class very interesting. She teaches at a university level and it is imperative that you pay attention and show up for class. Not an easy A. Definitely worth it!

One of the best professors I have ever had. No joke. p.s I loooooove her jokes and her advice on how to look at life, and basically, how to look at biology. :)

To be honest, the people who are complaining about her must be straight out of high school or still have the high school mentality. This is college, and she teaches that way. I personally was up for the challenge and I got an A. It wasn't an easy A, but it wasn't impossible!

Mrs. Tavakoli is one of the best teachers I have had at Southwestern. She is a bit tough but that's only because she expects her students to work as hard as she does. The class was interesting and she is also a pretty attractive woman which helps with paying attention. Everyone who says she is hard is just lazy, I gota B and i went to class high

Really good teacher! although i got a D but that was my own fault for being lazy, it is a hard class, so you do have to earn your grade. I am actually gonna retake the class with her!

Although always on time, she never actually starts teaching until 5-10 minutes in as she stands around doing nothing. Tests filled with information not in lecture or practically irrelevant to the lessons. Self proclaimed b***h but not really one. THE MOST UNFAIR GRADING I'VE EVER SEEN. I say this even though I have an A in the class. A bad teacher

she is a good teacher, you really have to be willing to study. read every chapter page by page and do the online exercises from the book and you will have the answers for the test. grading consists mostly on tests, very few extra credits, and if she assigns one, you get all points or none. be careful with plagiarism, and citations, she will get you

i liked this class mainly because of the things she taught us. she'll make u think abt life as a whole but she is a tough professor. one of my toughest professors but she gives A LOT of opportunities for extra credit. it's tough for ppl who doesn't devote their time to study. i love her :)

superr hard class!! but seriously u dont want to miss class! not just because u will miss out but bc her lectures are super interesting! u will learn tons from her and u wont get bored! but if u dont do well on tests and arnt good at studying i wouldnt recommend her. but in my case it was a class worth paying for!

Great teacher, moderately hard class due to many newly introduced concepts. Much memorization.The class is extremely interesting, albeit I got a C because I didn't really attend much toward the last few weeks.

First off, she has a huge ammount of experience and knowledge which, nothing against SWC, I am suprised she teaches there. Second, she is complex. Read the book, get the on line help from pearson and study. She tests to both the book and lecture so DONT MISS CLASS! Overall fantastic educator.

She is a great teacher. Her tests and quizzes are hard if you dont attend class and if you dont re read her book several times. Its worth taking her if you have the time to study because you will learn a lot.

Awesome, brilliant teacher. Starts class fairly intimidating but lightens up as the semester progresses. Being from former Yugoslavia, she has an outsiders approach to cultural anthropology that sets her above the rest. Class quality aside, she is beautiful! I would father her children any day. I think we both knew this on a deeper, nonverbal level

She was honestly one of the best professors i've had so far. She ist he reason why i changed my major to anthro. Her lectures are very interesting and you always learn something new. If you attend class everyday and study off the book and online, an A should be easy. However, i recommend this class only if you're interested not for a grade mark.

Interesting class, at first she'll try to intimidate you but she's a really cool professor, one of the best i've had. Her lectures are very eye opening and if you pay attention, attend class, read material, and study off the blackboard study guide you can easily pass.

Very interesting class, I recommend to do your readings on time and take notes/pay attention in class, she is strict on the grading.

Class is VERY interesting your eyes will be opened to new things and see things differently. Grading is based on test and quiz so read the textbook and take notes prior to class and show up for lecture everyday. I took the fast track class and it got fast paced at times but i highly recommend to take this class but only if interested and dedicated.

Very engaging and exciting class, but it is challenging and thought provoking. You definitely want to read the chapters and take your own notes before her lectures, because during class you are too busy being captivated by her instruction and beauty. She is very knowledgeable and you will certainly leave this class with a new insight on human life.

Maria Jelaca-Tavakoli’s ANTHRO 102 class is the best class at SWC. Above all, this professor is VERY FAIR, definitely go to her office during office hours and ask for her help on what your doing wrong. Tavakoli is the best!. Do well in this class, and you can be proud. If you do badly, blame yourself. Thank You for such a great course!

Tavakoli is one of my absolute favorite teachers. I've taken both her 101 and 102 anthro classes. She doesn't give out extra credit, unless you're really lucky. Which in my opinion is a good thing, the school has enough easy teachers as it is. No homework- your homework should be reading the book(Just like in uni). A very hard- but amazing teacher.

When she warns everyone at the beginning of the semester that the class isnt going to be a breeze, she means it! All you really need to do is read from the text along with the class and you should be good, her test's usually don't cover lectures alone. very interesting and in depth discussions and she's pretty hilarious. Bio-Anth was the tough one.

Had to take this class for my bio, this is probably the hardest class I took in my undergrad. At first I was failing but I studies HARD and got together with a group. Tests and exams based on lectures and book. If you are willing to come to class every class day, take notes, and read, you should be ok Teacher is very passionate, and funny sometimes

If I could I would take this class over and over again! I loved it so much and Tavakoli is the best anth prof @ swc. Grade is based completely on the tests/quizzes, very smart. though intimidating at first, she wants you to put aside your bias & think in a different way than what you've been accustomed to & always wants u to back up ur reasoning

oh my god she is the best and she is so easy on the eyes i could fall in love with her every day and her lectures are straight on she has a really good morbid sense of humor

In order to pass this class you have to attend all class lectures. Will not post lectures online.

Class is lecture and book heavy, with grades based on quizzes and exams. There is no homework to boost your grade, so read the book, take detailed notes, and attend lectures. This prof has a wicked sense of humor and many interesting stories relating to anthropology. If you're looking for an easy A, this isn't it. If your major is anthro, take her.

Professor Tavakoli is a great professor! She is very kind and helpful. Reading will greatly help you in this class!

Amazing knowledge of the material, very funny! and i never wanted to miss a class, also cause if i did then id fail the pop quiz haha! i found this biology class a lot easier to comprehend than i did in high school! She leaves out the unnecessary details that we're not tested on too.

Take class online with her! At first you think it's tough but you have to do what's required read, power points, videos, extra credit and write essay MLA style and in text citing while writing to get points, if you don't you get zeros! . She expects a lot from you but I think online easier then going to her class? Trust me. I got an A!

Explains very well but you have to pay attention and write notes of everything you can. Classes are very interesting and it will be joking from time to time, so you'll not get bored!

SHE IS AWESOME! Very engaging, funny, and she welcomes questions! She is NOT an arbitrary grader, which is good. You truly earn the grade you get. Attend class, read your book, participate, and you'll do great. -During one of her lectures I had expressed interest in a subcategory & she was kind enough to give me some magazines from her collection!

many amazing things to say about this professor. -be prepared to be loaded with lots in info -amazing lecturer... but u need to listen -listening + excellent note taking A -every picture, every word she says will be on the test -would take her again if I needed the classes(so sad) -seems very strict, sometimes mean but very nice and helpful

Dr. Tavakoli was the best instructor I have ever had. She try's hard to help the class understand her lectures. She funny and adorable!! if you don't do the work you won't pass!

One of the best teachers I've ever had. The class isn't a walk through but if you show up and take notes you'll be fine. She does an excellent job of keeping the class interesting and informative. Would definitely take her classes again my

Professor Tavakoli is hilarious, she makes a lot of jokes during lectures and understands how students think. The material is tough, but if you attend class, take notes, and do the assigned reading you shouldn't have a problem. She makes the material easy to understand, so its not hard to pay attention and take notes.

great teacher ! tells the funniest stories! ive taken 3 of her classes so far and everytime the lecture is the most important part! but it definitely helps to read book to support your knowledge and participate! shes intimidating but easy to talk to and approach and always down to help out or answer questions!

is a very good person..

Professor Tavakoli is so much fun. She will make lectures pass by quick. You don't need the book in class, but you will need to read a lot (take notes ahead of class). She does not give study guides and tests are all about her power points. If this is your major, take her, she is very knowledgeable.

I have attended Dr. Tavakoli's Bio Anthropology Lab and Cultural Anthropology classes, both classes have been the highlight of my schedule. classes are interactive and fun. I like how all the work is in one book and not divided between BB and book. always available to offer guidance during office hours, lots of extra credit opportunities. 5stars!!!

Took her fast track Anthro 101 class. That class was a workload all by itself. Though there was no actual work assigned, there was tons of information. She was very entertaining and seemed to really enjoy her field of work. Though long classes seemed to drag on, ill miss her lectures. So fun interactive lectures, alot of content, credit is all test

She is awesome i did not get bored one second in class. She knows a lot, she knows what she is talking about. Wow love her class of medical Anthropology. This couse is not for my major but i had to go to general classes and im super glad i took this class.

I took her for Anthro101 and I definitely recommend. Although this is a hard course, she is very well spoken and if you pay attention to her lectures you can pass this class. A lot of reading and dedication to studying is required to do well. Her classes are very fun and engaging. she provides extra credit throughout the semester