Challenging but fair

Awesome professor and class! The work is challenging but I loved it. I will take more classes with her in the future. Very helpful and willing to meet with you outside of class.

Professor Dinwiddie is awesome. At first it seems like she requires alot for a basic sociology class but the assignments are very helpful to the topics. I really enjoyed the research proposal project. She is always open for questions and is sincerely interested in a students learning. Overall, A+ teacher and person.

I appreciate a good challenge. She is very passionate about what she teaches and it is infectious! I appreciate the fact the she does not cater to the new generation's idea that everything must be handed to you. You work for the grade you receive in this course. Anyone who has anything to negative to say is just lazy and short sighted.

OMG best teacher.Loved her in class examples and how we participated helped with remembering the material. Who ever doesnt like her needs to stay awake in class more. She grades easily and is very easy to get along with.

I think Crystal is the greatest teacher I've had. Yes, the material is difficult and the work is hard, but she made me interested in sociology. I am proud of my A, I earned it. She is very willing to go the extra mile to help students. In my book, professor Dinwiddie deserves an A+.Does not want to waste her time or yours, so be prepared to work.

I really enjoyed her class. She is really friendly and kinda nerdy, but that is what makes her so much fun. There are some tuff papers you will write, but she is always open to help you.

She is very fair and pleasant. Knows her stuff and is more than willing to help. Don't get the others view of her.

I found her to be an awesome teacher. I do not know who is rating her poorly, but I feel that she was very thorough and always willing to help. She has high expectations, but I did not find them to be unattainable. Every lecture was interesting. I could have done better than a C but that was not her fault, it was mine. She is awesome!

awesome teacher! hard class though! you better come prepared to study but her teaching makes it worth it!

Very helpful instructor. This class is alot of work but it paid off. I got an A. She lets you turn in your papers ahead of schedule to proof read before it is due.

Extremely funny, knowledgeable and engaging. Loves class discussion and using media to supplement the text+PP. She was always quick to respond to e-mail, too. She may be "challenging" if you expect an A just for showing up to class, but with her enthusiasm for the subject, the least you can do to show your appreciation is to put forth some effort.

Dinwiddie is an amazing professor! She really involves everyone in the class &helps w/any questions. It was very professional & what a college class SHOULD be. mostly taking notes, discussion, one easy group project &maybe 2 papers. I would most definitely recommend her if you are willing to participate and give sociology a chance.

She's definitely a tough cookie. Half the class dropped by midterm because they couldn't handle it. She expects you to put effort into everything that you do which I found respectable. She taught me alot about the world we live in and I'm really glad that I took this class even if it was difficult. Read the chapters and take good notes!

There's no doubt she is a tough teacher. However, she was a very good teacher. At first she is a little intimidating, but don't let that stop you beacause you learn a lot in her class. She lectures for most of the period with a powerpoint. She also gives extra credit for turning in assignments early. She is always willing to help.

She is an amazing instructor who challenges her students to LEARN. Those who complain are lazy students who expect a grade to be handed to them. Take her class and LEARN something. She is super willing to help all you have to do is ask. Great Teacher!! Highly recommended!!

Crystal is an awesome teacher. I tried very hard never to miss her class, as she made my day. She very enthusiastic about her subject. There are essay questions on the exams, so be forewarned. The class is very hard as she expects perfection. If you are prepared to learn and work, take the class. If you are lazy, find a different teacher.

Never a dull moment in her Race and Ethnic relations class. Be prepared to read and write. If you put in the effort, you'll come out as a better student AND person because of it. Awesome discussions; it's worth taking this class just for the class periods on White Privilege. The rest is icing on the cake. Awesome professor and even better person.

She encourages people to ask questions, will answer them, shes respectful-and if you ever have any questions she insisted that you meet with her or drop her an email (good professor if you ever need to communicate one-on-one or need any 'outside class help'). A class I always look forward to!

Very interesting class. She runs a few minutes over time but nothing to bad. She is excited about what she teaches. She will help any student. This class is not for a lazy student. The essays on test are a bit challenging. The papers, however, are not too bad. Overall, great class!

Agree with previous poster, easy to understand. Read, follow the lectures and you will do just fine. Essay's are pretty confusing though. The group presentation seems daunting, but its actually pretty easy. SUBMIT A DRAFT for all the papers that you have to do. That really, really helps.

She will really make you work for your grade. There are essay questions on all tests. Participation is required. If you take her class, ask questions (clairify everything). Submit ALL work early for feedback (& extra points), If you aren't trying for an A, you shouldn't be in her class. She knows her stuff, and expects the same from her students.

Never had much interest in Soc until I took her class. She is a very passionate teacher and knows Soc very well. This is not an easy class, do not take if you don't want to push yourself. If you want an A you must EARN it. Tests were long and sometimes confusing. Study the material as it is presented to you, and you will do fine. Loved her class!!!

She does an excellent job of presenting the material in class. Also she is really passionate about sociology and really knows her stuff. I recommend taking this class even is you don't really like sociology. I'm sure that anyone would find her class interesting and in the end develop a greater understanding and appreciation of sociology.

I agree with most of the comments here! Dinwiddie is very passionate and a great teacher. I wasn't that interested in taking a soc class until taking hers. Make use of drafts and always submit work early!

dont miss class and pay attention and youll be fine

I took this class summer 2011. I learned so much from the class and really didn't expect too. She is very intelligent and was willing to explain concepts further if needed after class or during office hours. She's nice, very knowledgeable of the material she's teaching, and expects students to work hard to earn their grade. Study hard n u'll be ok

Blech. She's kinda cooky. She appears really intelligent, however it kinda seems like her examples of terms overlap other terms constantly, making her definitions really confusing, but she only give 3 exams including the final so that's nice...they are tough though. Also, her assignments are annoying and her class is BORING. Dislike.

Not an easy A. Very strict attendance policy, makes you participate in class. Very longwinded. Scientific method paper is STUPIDLY hard

This was a really good class. She is not the easiest Prof but she will work with you if you need help. She even has sample papers from past classes to help guide you. If you read the material and keep notes you will pass! She also has good extra credit opps that will help you get a's on the exams!

She knows what she's talking about but the work is HARD. One 3 page paper, an analysis, one 5 page, a group assignment, and three tests are what this class consists of. You don't get to pick your group. The PAPERS have to be flawless. However, she will work with you if you have questions. I wouldn't take her again though. Too much work for SOC!

I personally hated Racial and Ethnic relations and dropped out because she was SO demanding. She expects perfection and for things to be exactly the way she wants it, which is very hard. Her notes aren't very good so you need to frantically write down everything she says, which i personally hate.

She is overall a great teacher. She makes expectations crystal clear for you from day 1. Papers are rough and she is meticulous. Overall, she is there to teach you and make sure you understand the material and she is very good at that.

If you are going into Sociology professionally then this professor is for you. If you are taking the course to get it out of the way, then chose another teacher. She expects perfection. But she is a quality teacher.

I enjoyed the class, but the papers are very difficult I put hours into each paper and got decent grades. So if you dont like to write papers then dont take this class. Exams were some what difficult, but studying is a must to pass them.

Dinwiddie will put you to work, and it's not easy. She is a great professor who clearly has great understanding of the material and she can communicate key concepts very clearly. If you take the class seriously and know how to pay attention and take notes, you will do fine. Take part in the discussions and don't blow this class off.

This class is not easy, but is not super hard. Go to class and be part of the discussions and ask questions if you don't understand something. She is very understanding and makes her expectations clear. Do what you are expected and will pass. She is also pretty easy on the eyes.

This teach is hard and difficult. She expects to for the time allowed, plus read each chapter before the next class. She makes it hard to focus on other classes.

I never opened the textbook, took really good notes, and the tests were easy. Her papers are harder and made it challenging for me.

This professor is great! She really cares about her students and their success. She definitely doesn't baby her students and treats them like adults. She is very intelligent and makes her expectations known from day 1. If you want to actually learn something, take her class.

Dinwiddie is an absolutely amazing teacher and person. If you care about your education, she is a teacher to take. She is smart and passionate. She treats her students as adults and challenges you to interact and think. While she has high expectations she goes out of her way to help students. She is my mentor and a great female role model. Take her

Professor Dinwiddie truly cares about her students success and overall understanding of concepts. If you do all of her assignments and prepare for her quizzes and exams, you'll be fine. She gives a lot of opportunity for extra credit and she values hard working individuals!

LOVED this class and the teacher. it was a challenging course. be ready to work! BUT if you do the work you will get an A! if you're looking for an easy class/A - DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS.

As good as they come!

Yes this is a difficult class, but all you really have to do is follow her guidelines and you will do well. She keeps things interesting with her style of lecturing. Overall, I would definitely recommend her to those who are willing to put in the time and effort.

A wonderful professor. I don't agree with some of the comments here, because she is not rude or arrogant. She simply stands her ground and I truly respect her for that. Definitely recommend. Vey funny and sweet, and seems to care about her students. I know I can ask her for help on anything and I am NOT a soc major. She's great :)

She encourages class participation and is very helpful. If you do the online quizzes and reading, you should do well. If you need help on the few papers there are, she'll be happy to assist! She also makes things understandable, and can cover controversial topics in an academic way that doesn't offend. There's never a dull moment, highly recommend!

She's a very good Professor!!! if you need help, she'll be delighted to help you. Very knowledgeable.

Prof Dinwiddie told me that she "believes in the educational system and the process of learning." All she has done for her students prove this statement. She always offers to help and explains things perfectly. I am hoping to take her again in a different course! She is also extremely encouraging and wants you to do well!!

This class is not an easy class. So, do not take it if you are expecting it to be a blow off. However she is very encouraging and helpful. You can tell she is very passionate about what she teaches and gives you helpful feedback if you ask for it. Her papers are tough but she replies fast to emails and encourages you to visit her office hours

Professor Dinwiddie is without a doubt a tough grader, because she wants you to work for that A. If you want to pass then do the bare minimum, but if you want to earn an A, get ready to participate and elaborate your ideas further unto her. Use your sociological theories to the advantage because that is what she often looks for! A worthy challenge

Professor Dinwiddie makes lectures fun and interesting. She knows just how to captivate your attention. She doesn't give tests and focuses on making sure you know the concepts. Very approachable and friendly. I definitely recommend her.

Learned more in her class than I have in any other. She is a tough grader, and requires you to put work into the class. Teaching style is casual but effective. She makes the material relatable to students and very clearly is passionate about sociology and teaching. If you are looking for an easy "A" this is not the class to take.