Lectures were a bit rambly at times, but you need to pay attention because little details will be on quizzes. He knows his stuff, but participation is encouraged and he wont provide answers without class discussion. Overall, nice guy and interesting class. Note: this class was cross-listed with Asian 300 + 253.Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Adam Kern
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
DON"T choose this prof. For one, your final grade is not shown on canvas until it shows up on your transcript. Your participation grade is heavily based on if the professor likes you, so if you want an A, go to his office hours. I was not aware of this since it was not mentioned in the syllabus, and it was the one factor that dropped me to an AB.Rate My Professors ↗
Prof. Kern was okay. This was a guest lecturer class though so he really didn't actually lecture much. The format was okay, but during this session he was unable to any of the lecturers in person, understandable but sad. When he did lecture he seemed knowledgeable. He also really loves to play devils advocate when people participate in class.Rate My Professors ↗
I would rather be tied to the back of the 80 and dragged across campus than attend this lecture taught by a white man who doesn't understand privilege. craziest superiority complex. says the field would improve if all the text was written by him. yeah and maybe if I taught this class, everyone's will to attend this god awful class would improve.Rate My Professors ↗
There is an absurd amount of required reading for this class. Upwards of 600 pages in a week at times. But overall an interesting experience and an easy class. The professor himself is kind of an oddball.Rate My Professors ↗
do not enroll this courseRate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Adam Kern
Directed Study
1–3 creditsASIAN 299 is a directed study course allowing undergraduates to conduct projects arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleManga
3 creditsSurveys manga history and subgenres using critical visual and literary analysis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2019: 3.83 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=6 letter grades); Fall 2020: 3.09 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=22 letter grades); Spring 2024: 3.50 GPA, 91.7% A/AB (n=12 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2024–Spring 2024 · limited sampleA capstone seminar examining methodological and theoretical issues in Asian humanities, focusing on literary, religious, and cultural studies.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Senior Honors Thesis
3 creditsASIAN 681 is a Senior Honors Thesis course where students conduct independent research under faculty guidance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Senior Thesis
3 creditsASIAN 691 is a senior thesis course where non-honors students conduct research in collaboration with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Directed Study
2–3 creditsASIAN 698 is a directed study course allowing students to work with a faculty member on an individual study program.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Directed Study
2–3 creditsASIAN 699 is a directed study course allowing students to work with a faculty member on an individual study program.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleReading for Research
1–3 creditsASIAN 799: READING FOR RESEARCH involves compiling reading lists and reading essential sources for preliminary exam fields under advisor guidance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleThesis Research
3 creditsASIAN 990 is a thesis research course for doctoral students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Manga
3 creditsSurveys manga history from premodern precursors to contemporary subgenres using critical frameworks.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Adam Kern is described as energetic, chill, and knowledgeable, with reviewers praising his willingness to help and foster critical thinking. Students find his classes engaging and enjoyable, noting thoughtful discussions and a supportive environment. However, opinions on difficulty vary significantly, with some finding the course challenging while others consider it exceptionally easy.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2024–Spring 2024 · limited sampleRecorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 299 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 376 | Manga |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 600 | Capstone Seminar in Asian Humanities |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 698 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 799 | Reading for Research |
| Fall 2026 | ASIAN 990 | Thesis Research |
| Fall 2026 | LITTRANS 231 | Manga |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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