they are a couple. There is no teaching involved simply recorded lectures and that's about it. I've emailed both of them have not received anything and it's been nine weeks. They give you like 40 minutes to answer six questions there is never enough time. John is very rude I think, talks over his wife, and hardly lets her say anything, don't take!
this class is so outdated!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 It just seems so outdated material.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.
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.