<p>I am pretty sure that lower division AC class is much easier than upper division AC.
then why do people take upper-division AC class?</p>
<p>Also, taking 4 upper-division classes in one semester is hard if I only take 14 units? (my first semester at berkeley)</p>
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<p>Perhaps because they are interested in it for some other reason, and/or because it can be used on some other requirement as well?</p>
<p>Engineers are required to take upper division humanities course(s), so that requirement can be combined with the AC requirement.</p>
<p>It’s AC . . . how hard can it possibly be?</p>
<p>Then again, the OP couldn’t even phrase a question properly.</p>
<p>One of these days, I’m going to regret insulting all you poor lot . . .</p>
<p>Haha caiacs you’re the funniest guy on CC. Your posts always make me laugh.</p>
<p>As ucbalumnus said, some majors require upper division humanities while other people are interested in the course topic. </p>
<p>The mentality of the students today… It’s not always about the grades, which are extremely important nevertheless. But more importantly, you should go to college to study what you think is interesting/useful, not what is easy. (Also, general interest in something helps to increase understanding of the material, which, if mastered, will of course help you receive high marks.)</p>
<p>Are you pre-med by the way? ;)</p>
<p>“Also, taking 4 upper-division classes in one semester is hard if I only take 14 units? (my first semester at berkeley)”</p>
<p>I don’t see a need for any first semester Berkeley student to take four upper-div courses their first semester. It really doesn’t make sense to me. What courses are you taking and why?</p>
<p>Upper-div courses are <em>generally</em> more rigorous than lower-div courses, so yes, I think taking four your first semester at Berkeley is a bad decision. If the class is in humanities, you have much more reading than upper-div courses and higher-quality writing is expected from students. I can’t speak for mathematics/sciences or courses outside of the College of Letters and Science. Aren’t there any lower-div general interest courses or major pre-req courses you can still enroll into?</p>
<p>To answer your other question, AC coures are also usually on the easier side and so if there’s an AC course someone finds interesting (or one that fills both the AC and their major requirements/breadth requirement) then they might take it.</p>
<p>And I completely agree with everything in Rigoletto’s post. Wise words that too-many GPA mongering Berkeley students (especially pre-law/pre-med students) tend to forget.</p>
<p>I echo what the others said about interest. I’m taking an upperdiv AC this year not just bc I like the subject (history of environmentalism; I’m a science major) but because it fulfills not only the AC but a breadth and major req for me. I recognize that there will perhaps be more reading, but AC courses are known to be easier not to mention it’s in the ESPM dept which is much more conceptual (in an easy way, if that makes sense).</p>
<p>As for what you said about taking four upper divs, that honestly makes no sense to me your first semester (unless you’re a transfer student…?). As said above upper classes require more work/reading and definitely a higher caliber of writing. Discussions will involve upper students who have prior experience in the subject and can contribute in more broad ways than someone who just reads the text and shows up. </p>
<p>Secondly, how can you possibly qualify/intend to qualify for upper divs specifically required by your intended major if you take NO intro classes? I’m aware there are AP credits, but most majors need some lower divs. You must carefully examine the progression of requirements; don’t jump in so soon to hard classes bc you think it sounds cool or like a “fun” challenge; you’ll just hurt yourself. (And not meet classmates your age).</p>
<p>the OP is a transfer student so taking upper divs is where you should be</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone really answered your second question…</p>
<p>14 units won’t tell you much. You should consider what classes you are taking, the professors teaching the classes, your background knowledge, as well as the hours you will spend in class (often they don’t match unit count, especially with labs). Hope this helps.</p>
<p>I am taking them because I need as many upper div units I can get, and you definitely need these UD units if you are a CC transfer students.</p>
<p>I’m a freshman and I signed up for a 1 unit upper division lecture 
I don’t know if it’ll be that much harder (the 1 unit makes it seem a little harmless, but I’m probably wrong to assume…?) I took it because:
-Interesting topic
-Satisfies a requirement
-I met a lot of kids at CalSO who were thinking of taking that class too (lol, not so great reason)</p>
<p>I am a transfer Junior and I am taking History 127AC - California History. I was a former History Major who switched to Anthropology. I still enjoy History quite a bit, and California History is interesting to be because I grew up and lived in Boston, MA so I don’t have a rich sense of the Golden State’s History.</p>
<p>It satisfies my AC, as well as a UD class outside of my major. It is also in a subject that really interests me, so I see it as a win win win.</p>
<p>@lemoncat are you taking polisci 179?</p>
<p>@mjmay7 Yeah, it’s Poli Sci 179 xD At first I was looking to go into another class, but that first option filled up pretty quickly so I couldn’t get into it. Poli Sci 179 was the only non-conflicting class that got me through the 13 unit minimum, plus it seemed a little interesting. The huge@$$ lecture numbers are scary, though…600 kids??</p>