Dacher Keltner - University of California Berkeley

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Dacher Keltner - University of California Berkeley

Professor: Dacher Keltner

Department: Psychology

College: University of California Berkeley

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: PSYCHC162
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Keltner is a genuinely good person who wants to bring out the best in his students. Lectures are interesting (though a bit slow at times), but it's one of those classes where you get out what you put in you can try incorporating practices into your life or if you don't buy into it, then so be it. Exams are mostly direct, but some weird details.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PSYCHC162
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Prof Keltner makes class very inspiring and interesting. I learned something new and profound about human emotions every lecture. I think he has managed to sneak in a class which is focused more on helping students be happy and satisfied regardless of their field / interests. Recommended light hearted class at Cal.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PSYCHC162
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: No
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dacher is an awesome guy who makes this class interesting and extremely worthwhile. One of my favorite classes I've taken at Cal.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PSYCH160
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Keltner is incredibly knowledgable in his field. His lectures were captivating, filled with both entertaining and helpful photos, and his tests were somewhat difficult but straight-forward. He puts an effort in to break up lectures with activities and engages his students. He responds fast to emails and provides opportunities/resources for students

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PSYCH156
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Booooooooring. Avoid! One of my least favorite professors at cal. He's super into himself, both of the books assigned for the class were written by him and he loves so reference his own research. I got so sick of him that I stopped attending lectures midway through the semester and I still got an A+ because exams were straight out of the book.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PSY156
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He's nice but I was disappointed with the class. I took human emotion bc it sounded great! But the lectures are all geared towards proving his point that emotions are positive/useful. That's fine, but I wanted to hear about more substantial subjects in lecture, wish he'd gone into the book more. If you want to learn just read the book on your own.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: PSYCH156
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

While certainly friendly, thought he was overrated. Lectures can be scattered; he'd spend so much time on his introductions for each lecture that it would cut in significantly into actually lecturing. Encouraged discussions in class. His clear bias for positive psychology somewhat bothered me a bit; many of his jokes came off as trying too hard.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: PSYCH156
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dacher is fine lol. His lectures are awesome and you learn about emotions is ways you never thought you could. He loves students and is funny Don't expect much about Inside Out; he brings it up maybe 2x. Be aware that it's 10% section, 45% midterm and final each. Study hard, and you'll pass. An easy earned A. Going to lecture is a must. Dont skip.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: PSYCHC162
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

It seems that is either a hit or miss situation. In my opinion, his happiness class was the worse class I've taken. It was boring, and superficial. His lectures were unorganized and unsubstantial. A lot of words to say nothing of interest. Also, I dislike the 'I'm cool and funny' public persona. (He might be very different when not lecturing)

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: PSYCH156
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Unorganized but funny guy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PSYCHC162
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dacher is amazing! He was such a fun lecturer to listen to! This is one of my top two classes I have taken at Berkeley! The material was super interesting. He is one of the leading researchers in the field so most of the studies you learn about are his. He consulted on Pixar's Inside Out!!! The class itself was super easy!

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PSYCHC162
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I LOVE DACHER! Seriously, he's awesome and super inspirational. His Human Happiness class changed my life: take it!

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PSYCH156
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Keltner is amazing! He is super helpful in and outside of class. Going to office hours was always a gratifying experience. Everyone should take his class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PSY156
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Keltner is fantastic. Super nic guy, entertaining lecturer, and really supportive in office hours. The class is also really interesting and I probably learned more from this class than I have in my other classes combined. You definitely need to put in the work to get everything out of it, but I loved it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PSYCH160
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Social psych isn't my favorite but he's a good lecturer. I read the book, ignored the study guide and went over EVERYTHING, and got an A+. There won't be anything on the exam that you won't find in the book if you read it thoroughly.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: PSYCH160
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I was disappointed with the overall material as it seemed too "light" and "fluffy". There were a few concepts I really enjoyed. He went through the material via slides rather quickly. Know the studies discussed in class and in the textbook. Know how to apply the concepts. On a good note, he was funny and entertaining while presenting the slides.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PSYCH160
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I personally didn't enjoy lectures (rambled). Tests purely based on textbook readings that were simple and interesting. Section was useless, but take Muping as a GSI if possible - she is an incredibly concise speaker

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PSYCH160
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class is an easy A. You don't really have to attend lectures, just do the readings and attend sections. I got the lecture notes and it was fine. We learn some interesting research, but I expected more from the class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: PSYCH160
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I was hoping this would be an psych class that really examined the effects (positive and negative) of social interactions but it is super lightweight. Keltner presents a rose-colored view of the world and fails to really examine important causes and effects of behavior. This class is not for serious thinkers.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PSYCH160
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Decent class - easy, just have to do the reading as assigned (not that it's much). He/the course is generally amusing, and both raise many thought-provoking ideas that may change your life for the better in a variety of ways. Not sure it should count for three units, but I'm not complaining. Felt a bit like going to a happy therapist for...tuition.

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