Very good class, nice prof! I got A+ overall. You only have to do 3 essays in total. 10 pages for final and 4-6 pages for the first two. Most of my classmates got A and A+ at the end, recommended for sociology major students! NO in-class exams btw!

For Spring 2016 students: I'm giving out my course readers for the class. I'm selling them for cheap. Let me know if you want 'em.

email: *************

I did not enjoy this course. I love sociology and have not disliked a single sociology course at ucla. I took this course thinking that I would take an interesting one for my last quarter and I was very disappointed. The professor's lectures were unorganized and he refuses to cooperate with the technology given in each classroom. He assigns three essays (that's all you're graded on!) and he tells you exactly what to write in them, without letting you come up with your own ideas or analyses. He is not friendly or welcoming in office hours, and I found it hard to communicate with him. I would NOT recommend this course-- it is repetitive and uninteresting.

SOC 161

This class was not hard at all. I was actually scared of taking this class upon reading all these reviews. However, Prof. Champagne is the most sincere prof. I have ever taken here at UCLA. He tells you what he wants on the papers, if you follow his guidelines its a guarantee you will get an A. Granted it is important that you read the material (its rather repetitive and you cannot miss the points he is trying to get across). I attended all the lectures and read all the assigned readings and this class was fine. Do not take this class if you intend to "chill" and not do the readings. I mean it, the readings are golden when you write the papers (its basically a regurgitation of what he wrote...considering the assigned readings are written by him and he just wants you to summarize what he wrote).
the class grade is separated in 3 assignments

First Assignment is worth 20%
Second Assignment is worth 30%
and the Final is worth 50%

If you call him or go to his office hours, he will help you write the paper. Honestly he is so nice and sincere. These negative reviews are not a reflection of what his class is (those who reviewed negatively probably didnt attend lecture at all, or did any of the readings) this class is immensely interesting. I recommend it.

I think its so funny how crazy all these reviewers are! I was SO scared to take this class because of all the reviews i read on here. Honestly, those who wrote negative comments were probably pissed they got a B or lower, just check the grade curve to the right hand and the truth is self-evident. The class itself is chill; its basically a regurgitation of everything he wants on the essay--how hard is that? Hes a really nice guy; hes also very smart and passionate about the subject. If you like to learn about Indians, take him.

I have to disagree with many of the things people are saying. I thought he was a very good professor and very fair to students. As long as you go to class and keep up with the readings you will do fine. Also, his grading is not that hard- you just write three papers throughout the quarter, and the content comes straight from the lectures and reader. The first paper is worth 20%, the second worth 30%, and the final paper is worth 50%. The final is basically a combination of the first two papers. The only way you could do bad in his class is if you don't attend lectures or keep up with readings.

Duane Champagne does care about his student and seem to enjoy teaching this class. Obviously I don't agress with more than half of the critics made about him on this web site. I really liked his teaching style. If you can keep up with your readings and fully understand the topic, you'll be fine. He's very passionate about teaching this class. He does care about listening his students, he even stayed after class. (He even has a flu that day)
The take home Exam essays were very well explained before it was due. They weren't tricky but it's not easy do get a good grade in his papers. You must touch on the topics that he guide you during the review session, so keep up with your readings.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this class and appreciated what I learend about the Native Americans.

This professor was so mind-numbingly boring that it literally hurt to be in his class. My body would start aching all over, so I would just up and leave. I dropped his class fourth week, so I don't know about his tests or assignments. His readings were uneven: some were really easy and straightforward; others were really dense and confusing. Unless you have an insatiable love for learning about Native American societies, don't take this class. It'll squash whatever desire you do have to learn about the subject. I'm not trying to be mean, but I swear I have never taken a class this boring in my life--and I'm a fifth-year.