Love this man. His lectures are always interesting and topical and the class discussions are always higher-level and sophisticated. If you want to be challenged intellectually, take this class. Welch is also a generally lenient grader (which is obviously a plus), but he makes you write for it: plan to write at least 25 pages in essays and exams in addition to preparing quality talking points before every class and being able to defend what you say. You need to be able to defend what you say, but Welch is extremely welcoming of virtually all viewpoints and leaves critique in discussion up to the students. Suggest any classes taught by Welch, esp. because they generally follow the same format of topical lecture-lengthy discussion.

if you don't like/enjoy writing DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS. but if you do like writing this class will be rewarding.