Current instructor

Adam Kern

Adjusted rating

RMP difficulty

captured reviews

About this rating

Raw average: 3.68/5 from 25 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

What students say

Original student reviews · all captured dates

LITTRANS 2632026-05-03

Quality 5/5Difficulty 2/5

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.

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ASIAN 1002026-01-30

Quality 1/5Difficulty 4/5

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.

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ASIAN 1002025-05-19

Quality 3/5Difficulty 1/5

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.

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ASIAN 1002025-04-23

Quality 1/5Difficulty 4/5

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.

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ASIAN 1002025-04-09

Quality 3/5Difficulty 1/5

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.

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ASIAN 3102024-01-29

Quality 1/5Difficulty 5/5

do not enroll this course

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Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.

Classes with Adam Kern

ASIAN 299

Directed Study

1–3 credits

Undergraduate directed study projects arranged with a faculty member, titled DIRECTED STUDY.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Takako Nakakubo Charo D Etcheverry+15 more

No recorded grade history

ASIAN 310

Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels: Theory, History, Method

3 credits

Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels explores the theory and history of comics, graphic novels, and related media from around the world.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Adam Kern

Adam Kern's quizzes and discussions were easy to complete without attending class, though attendance was recommended. Students found the course straightforward, noting one opportunity for 1% extra credit.

Adam Kern

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2023–Fall 2023 · limited sample

ASIAN 354

Early Modern Japanese Literature

3 credits

Overview of Edo-period Japanese literature (1600-1868), covering genres like comic books, novellas, essays, poetry, and theater to explore cultural development.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Recent recorded grades — Fall 2020: 3.30 GPA, 60.0% A/AB (n=5 letter grades); Fall 2021: 2.81 GPA, 62.5% A/AB (n=8 letter grades).

Adam Kern

No recorded grade history

ASIAN 533

Readings in Early Modern Japanese Literature

3 credits

An extensive overview of literature from Japan's Edo period (1600-1868), focusing on readings in the original early modern Japanese language.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Recent recorded grades — Fall 2024: 3.14 GPA, 85.7% A/AB (n=7 letter grades).

Adam Kern

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2024–Fall 2024 · limited sample

ASIAN 682

Senior Honors Thesis

3 credits

Senior honors thesis course where students write a thesis paper under faculty advisor guidance during the second semester.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Junko Mori Rania Huntington+3 more

No recorded grade history

ASIAN 698

Directed Study

2–3 credits

Directed study allows students to work with a faculty member on an individual study program.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Takako Nakakubo Charo D Etcheverry+13 more

No recorded grade history

ASIAN 699

Directed Study

2–3 credits

Directed Study offers students an opportunity to work with a faculty member on an individual study program in Asian studies.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Takako Nakakubo Charo D Etcheverry+19 more

No recorded grade history

ASIAN 799

Reading for Research

1–3 credits

Students compile reading lists for preliminary exam fields, read essential sources, and demonstrate critical reading in advisory meetings.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Charo D Etcheverry Junko Mori+12 more

No recorded grade history

ASIAN 990

Thesis Research

3 credits

Thesis Research for doctoral students, involving research in connection with the doctoral thesis.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Charo D Etcheverry Junko Mori+13 more

No recorded grade history

Recorded teaching history

Distinct courses recorded per term

Explore courses taught by this instructor →

Browse recorded courses

Term	Course	Title
Spring 2027	ASIAN 299	Directed Study
Spring 2027	ASIAN 310	Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels: Theory, History, Method
Spring 2027	ASIAN 354	Early Modern Japanese Literature
Spring 2027	ASIAN 533	Readings in Early Modern Japanese Literature
Spring 2027	ASIAN 682	Senior Honors Thesis
Spring 2027	ASIAN 698	Directed Study
Spring 2027	ASIAN 699	Directed Study
Spring 2027	ASIAN 799	Reading for Research
Spring 2027	ASIAN 990	Thesis Research
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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