TAKE THIS CLASS. One of the easiest/most interesting courses I have taken at UVA. Professor Kumar is a talented lecturer, and seems to know everything there is to know about history. He gives 3 people a single, simple "oral quiz" question per class, but lets you know when you will be quizzed-- this is really the only time you need to do the readings if you pay attention in lecture. Midterms and papers are graded a bit arbitrarily, so make sure he likes you and knows you know what you're talking about (answer a few questions in class, go to office hours to discuss something interesting from class once or twice, etc).

Listening to Professor Kumar speak is like sitting in on a BBC documentary every class period. He knows everything there is to know about history and is able to communicate it in an incredibly interesting way. There is a midterm, a final, and a final essay. If you pay attention in class, you can get by without doing the readings. This is by far one of the most interesting courses at UVA.