Everything in this class is based off of the TA's grading. You have a paper due on the reading each week, an extra credit paper at the end of the quarter and a written midterm and final. It's just a super boring subject and the readings are agonizing but I just read tons of summaries and articles on the readings to clear it up better (instead of reading the actual content) and ended up getting an A in the class. Definitely a good professor to take this with, but depends on TA mostly!

His lectures are dry and boring, but the subject is dry and boring so it's going to be that way no matter who you take for 101. His grading is done entirely by his TAs and it isn't standardized, so the real key is getting the easier TA who grades fairly. The material is difficult and boring, but he does do a decent job clarifying in lecture if you can stay focused which no one can. This class is entirely dependent on your TA. The midterm is essay based questions and the same for the final, points for lecture participation and no formal essays.

Professor Mann was a great professor, espcially for such a dense subject like sociological theory. He posts lecture outlines before class which are really helpful because they allow you to easily follow his lectures. True, the readings are often challenging, but he is really happy to answer any questions you may have.n He ALWAYS leaves time at the end to clear up any confusion. I was not exactly looking forward to this class prior to taking it, but after taking it with Mann I found it quite fascinating. If you stay on top of the things you should do well! I highly recommend this professor!

The first thing I would like to say is do not read any of the ratings prior to 2006. The format of his tests are the same as explained by his ex-students in the previous evaluations. Before deciding to take Soc 101, I had to pick between two professors: Mann and Prager. I decided that Mann seemed easier than Prager. However, some of the ratings I read about Mann frightened me. People were making the class seem difficult and extremely time consuming. Luckily, I found them to be very wrong. I received an A on both the midterm and final. Now this information alone does not help viewers whatsoever in deciding whether or not to take Mann. Let me just tell you that I did not read at all (mostly because the readings were way too difficult to understand). Second, I studied for both exams the day before. I don't think my A occurred because of the possibility that I am a genius, because honestly I am pretty sure I am not one. The key to doing well is taking great notes. He offers outlines for each lecture that make it much easier to follow his lectures. If you take good notes and study them, then the least you should get is B. Trust me, the previous ratings make him sound so much harder than he actually is.

Professor Mann is very knowledgeable about social theory, sometimes his lectures are confusing though and hard to follow. Luckily he has an outline that clarify things, so i would suggest printing that out and bringing it to every class. There is one midterm and one final, both essay format-- not too hard, if you get Mike as your TA he is SO cool and SO helpful! I would suggest trying to get section with him. Overall, this class is pretty easy. Go to class, take notes, go to section and youll get an A.

easy