Interesting subject of course. Some of the videos and photographs they use in their lecture presentations are waaay outdated (like from the early 1990s and beyond). Lots of exams throughout (4) so you can never really relax and coast in this class, you have to read. Study the boxes in the book! I wouldn't take this class with a heavy course load.
He is an amazing lecturer I was engaged and nodding along to everything he would say That being said you are required to know the littlest details from lectures and readings One of the questions was from a small word he had scribbled down in class
The Baldwins have been teaching for decades, so they knows how to hold a crowd of college students' attention. Lectures are very informative and occasionally filled with good videos. The grading criteria are very broad for the tests, which is how they curve them; everything to know is on the study guides. Great class and essential life lessons!
John is an amazing prof. This class is pretty basic, however its a great great class. He is passionate, has a zeal for life and he spreads that to his students in his content and lecture. Take any and all classes by the Baldwins. A must!
Great professors. 152A is a must take if you are a UCSB student.
A lot of reviews here say this class has hard tests, but honestly I think it's because people expect this class to be super easy because it's just a GE. The tests are pretty easy if you read. You don't even have to do the study guide yourself because they give you answers in the review sessions. I love both Baldwins; amazing class and professors!
John and Janice are absolutely incredible lecturers. Very interesting class and engaging. 3 midterms and a final. Tests are 5 free response and several multiple choice based off lecture, book and boxes. BEWARE TESTS ARE DIFFICULT. Essential that you know details. GO TO LECTURE test material comes from slides. READ. MEMORIZE.
There are three midterms and a final. You must study both lectures and readings in order to do good in the class. Procrastination on the readings won't help. But what does help are the study sessions with the TA's. Overall, it's an interesting class but it requires work.
Pretty easy class but also really useful and something everyone should learn. I didn't have time to do all the assigned readings so I just read all the boxes in the text and took good notes in class which I reviewed prior to exams. Got an A doing that.
GREAT CLASS! The Baldwins are both great and helpful people. Not an easy class, but it is very interesting and if you keep up with the notes and the readings, you will do just fine
Its not an easy class. Better take it pass no pass. Though attendance is not mandatory, they test a lot from lectures.Also, they like to test something eccentric that you won't expect on the tests, which make the course harder.
Soc 152a is one of the most interesting and useful classes I've ever had. Both professor Baldwins are great! It's easy to get a good grade if you do all the readings. I know there's a lot to read, but very informative and helpful. Fun class!
The Baldwins are great! Easy to get an A if you go to class and do the reading. I personally crammed the night before and still ended up with an A+! Easy graders, helpful information, and fun lectures! TAKE TAKE TAKE!
Expect to put in effort to memorize, memorize, memorize! Honestly, the only thing to worry about in the textbook are the "boxes". Three midterms and a final. Definitely recommend the class! Info you learn is very useful to everyday life.
This was the most interesting class I have ever taken. His optimism makes lecture worth going to. But unless you need this class or you're doing pass/no pass then don't take him. His exams are ridiculous. You have to make sure to take good notes during lecture and do the reading because he asks questions that are barely covered in the reading.
The Baldwins really care about the material and it shows. They are charming, insightful, and break the course material down into manageable, easy chunks. Follow their layout when you take notes in class and try to stay a week ahead on readings. None of the tests are that hard if you do those things, but there are a lot of tests.
easiest class ever. need to do the readings to get an A though. no clicker or section!!
Class is taught by him and his wife, who are a very cute little old couple. The class isn't easy, but it teaches you so much about sexuality that they never teach in high school. I'd recommend this class to anyone attending UCSB. Should be mandatory.
So far the best teacher I've had. He makes the lectures entertaining and very easy to understand. Lecture isn't mandatory but most of his questions on the midterms and final are based on the lectures we cover. The more info you put on the midterms and final the more points you get. If I could I would take his class again. Best teacher thus far!
literally the easiest and most interesting class. read the book and study and will easily get an A. no section or iclicker. VERY fair on their grading and there is a curve to the tests.
John is by far my favorite professor! He is so knowledgable, not only about what he is teaching, but life in general. This class opened my EYES to a bigger, brighter world! If you take one class in Soc, TAKE THIS ONE! (also took 15A, 152B, 185P - A's in all - and all worth the hard work!)
The material you have to memorize is ridiculous. Getting an A took more effort than usual. If your not a Soc major take it P/NP, if you are just cram,cram, cram! One good thing about this class is you are tested on what you know, can cross out one short answer out of six. A score of 25 out 30 is an A per each of the four exams.
Didn't find the class too interesting personally but John is a great teacher. He's super stoked about the topic and the class is pretty easy as long as you study the materials for the tests. Weekly reading as homework and attendance isn't required. Just a couple of tests and the final.
Highly recommend his human sexuality class to students in any major. Super fun and they really make it all about college students. Attendance isn't mandatory but believe me you'll want to be there. Just a couple tests and the final (no homework or essays). Lecture 3 times a week for 50 minutes - not bad! Funny class & doesn't require participation