this class is so outdated! I have nothing against the Baldwins, but this stuff is so old along with their power points. They make you get the most current edition of their own textbook which is extremely pricey, they simply upload lectures and make you do everything on your own. It just seems so outdated material. they just need to update stuff.
Do not take this class! Teachers non existent only profit off class and textbook sales. Class only consists of tests, little time given, random questions. TA's grade, hard graders af for what? Class doesn't go in depth about Human sexuality topics that are interesting, felt like a biology class, not SOC! very surface level. You teach yourself. DONT
I don't want to discredit the Baldwin's enthusiasm and the importance of the subject. The class is skewed to a heteronormative narrative and tone-deaf when it comes to discussing SA. If your student assistants are having to correct the language you're using, I'd consume some new literature. Easy class but painfully out of touch.
Took this class over the winter, i zoomed him for help. I needed more time on the test he simply said I wasn't studying enough and that it was very easy. Not a friendly guy, he literally made me feel like I wasn't even studying even though I was, the TAs are not helpful either, just a totally not nice teacher. The textbook cost a fortune, bad class
This was a really interesting class. The Baldwins are good lecturers but lectures are pretty long and kind of hard to take notes on bc theyre talking most of the time. Grade based on 3 midterms and a final. 1 hr to answer 4 short answer and 6 mc questions, doubled for the final. Overall minimal work, but a really good class to take.
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 The Baldwins themselves are enthusiastic but seem pretty outdated on the topics.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.
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.
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!
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 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
Should take wether you're a sociology major or not. It's information everyone should be aware about and it's very interesting and useful. If you know the study guide by heart, go over the lecture notes, and read the *BOXES* in the textbook you should definitely be able to get the A. The Baldwins also make the lectures hilarious and relatable!
A ton of reading, sometimes 70 pages a week and it's information heavy. 3 20% midterms (5 short answers, 6 multiple choice) and a 40% final (double midterm length). Attendance not mandatory but I strongly suggest it, correlates well with reading. Review sessions offered before every test that are super helpful. Great material though, worth taking!
Took both 185P and 152A, and loved them both! They were a lot of reading, but the material was always so interesting and you can tell that John and Janice are really passionate about what they do. 185P was honestly confusing at times because of the abstract concepts but the exams weren't bad at all as long as you really study. Excited for 152B!!!
Took all 3 (185,142,152 Easiest to hardest) tests based off lecture and some readings. Graders look for specifics. Lectures are interesting but found in 185 a lot of the material was unrealistic and misleading. Memorize specifics and you be straight.