I took SOC152A with both Baldwin professors, and they are both actively trying to raise awareness about stuff that is sometimes kind of taboo which is nice. There was a lot of reading, and the lectures are long, but if you can get through it, it's a pretty easy A. The tests are really specific so taking good notes is important.

There's so much info you have to memorize within lectures/chapters/charts for each midterm, and the midterms only have about 12 questions under a timer of 50 min. If you're not good at memorizing even the smallest details, you're basically being set up for failure. The Baldwins themselves are enthusiastic but seem pretty outdated on the topics.

this class is a must at ucsb! the baldwins are amazing and this class is really fun and interesting. Really easy A if you take good notes, at least online! it will help to read the textbook, but you can skim it and still do well! highly suggest taking soc152A and soc142 at the same time for the soc major because baldwin teaches them both!

Professor Baldwin is my favorite. He is passionate about what he teaches and it shows when he lectures. he's actually excited unlike so many other boring profs. I took this class in 2019 and he and Janice were awesome. Easy tests you literally just regurgitate the study guide which if filled out, you'd be fine. Definitely taking him again

John & Janice are both excellent lecturers and are very inclusive when it comes to the sensitive topics of SOC152A. Their lectures are informative and witty and balance the pain from the readings in the text. I wish I was able to take their course live but ultimately they did a great job translating human sexuality to online learning.

Unorganized and barely gives any feedback on how to improve on future tests. He gives a study guide and more than half the things on the study guide dont end up on the test. The answers he's looking for on tests are extremely specific and there's no partial credit given, it's graded on an all or nothing basis. Not worth taking

Prof. Baldwin's lectures were fun and engaging. The class was very test heavy: grade was entirely based on 3 midterms (every two weeks) and 1 final. Make sure to not fall behind on lectures and study the charts on anatomy, etc. Overall a doable class, but takes effort.

Baldwin is very passionate and teaches in a unique, enthusiastic way. His class however is hard to follow because the grading criteria is unclear and is VERY test heavy (3 midterms 20% each and 1 final 40%). As long as you take good notes and watch lecture, you'll be fine! Take this class if you're passionate about how humans/monkeys socialize.

I took soc152a last year and it wasn't bad but it was also pre covid. Taking his class now is a nightmare. He wastes so much time writing on the DRY ERASE BOARD! like why use a dry erase board? it just makes lectures unnecessarily wrong for no reason. He posts 40-minute lectures MWF as if it were regular class. DONT TAKE DURING COVID TRUST ME

Awful teacher, he is the author of his own textbook and makes it mandatory so there's that.. Extremely harsh grader and requires extremely specific answers on his tests. Took his class in 2019 and it was not worth it. Never gives feedback and is a very boring lecture. Do not take this teacher and then regret it like I did. Im warning you now

Overall great class, enjoyed listening to him and Janice talk so passionately during lecture. Your grade is based solely on 3 midterms and a final consisting of multiple choice and short answer Qs. There is quite a bit of material to memorize but the review sessions help TREMENDOUSLY as they basically give you all of the info you need to know.

This class was really hard and wouldve been a lot better if I didnt have a full course load. Its a lot of memorization which doesnt work for most students. Theyre approachable professors but it doesnt make much of a difference sadly. Only take this class if youre good at memorization, can spare 3 lectures a week or have an easy course load.

Interesting materials, but he's condescending when you ask questions.

No doubt he is amazing with 152A, definitely take that. However, 142 is one of the most difficult upper divs I have encountered. The mandatory textbook was $250 for the cheapest used version and there was an awful amount of reading. Felt it really sucked that he made this textbook mandatory considering its price and that he is the author. Beware!

Took this class cause I just needed upper division units and it turned out easy. Attendance is mandatory and there is a lot of reading. 3 midterms and a cumulative final, but if you show up youll pass.

If you do not show up to lecture or you take crappy notes, you will not do well. If you don't read or read last minute, you will not do well. Common sense. I highly recommend taking reading notes! It sucks but it's how I became number one in the class. If you do all of this and start to study a week prior you will do fantastic! 3 tests and 1 final.

3 tests & 1 final exam. Teaching is boring & he wrote the textbook that the class is required to use. Many of his teachings are completely made up like 'the greater upper force' you search that up on the internet & nothing will show up. harsh grader & lecture heavy class. Would've been alright if he taught real material instead of his made up stuff

John is a wonderful professor! He makes it obvious what he is looking for on tests. I appreciate the review sessions before exams. He talks fast in lecture and does not post the slides, but his lectures are always very interesting and he makes it fun.

3 midterms and 1 final. Easy A but you still have to work for it. Pure memorization but the subject is really easy to memorize. Some stuff is common sense. Does not mark off wrong answers so list as much as you know on tests. Never went to lecture and only read book + went to review sessions.

Though this class was interesting, it lacked a lot of information for LGBTQ students, as it was primarily focused around heterosexuality. The reading is very heavy, and if you don't do it, you will not do well on the 3 midterms and final. This class is not an easy A or an easy GE. You will need to put in work to get a good grade.

I attended every class and found the way he taught to be difficult to understand. I understood the readings and everything in the lecture, but when I would take the test, I'd write paragraphs and still not do well. I would talk to him and he would say thats what he said in lecture. I've talked to others who had similar experiences

I loved this class, but I do not recommend to take if you have a heavy course load for the quarter. Getting an A is doable, but you have to read, study lecture notes, memorize study guides, read boxes, & memorize charts! I spent a lot of time studying for this class, so keep it in mind. It was a very enjoyable class and The Baldwins are amazing!

Professor Baldwin was wonderful. The topics discussed in class weren't always comfortable, but he always made sure to take the best possible approach. He was funny, while also being super informative and knowledgeable. I loved SOC152A, and I think everyone at UCSB should take this class. Theres 3 midterms and a final, and everything is curved.

everyone should take this class at UCSB !! Go to lecture, its fun and very informative. dont need to read, the study guide covers allll the reading needed for the midterms. 3 midterms and a cumulative final. u gotta study your ass off for all the midterms and know literally everything from lecture and the study guide , its an honest A and doable