Hard, but definitely fair. Interesting lectures, uses frequent film clips to illustrate points. Don't take this class unless you plan to work your butt off reading and remembering.

All though lectures were very detailed. He gives great handout and is very approachable and helpful. Not to metion he does a fabulous job of recruiting helpful and insightful T.A.s that work well with the students.

hard class, but good prof

Good teacher - very knowledgable. Be prepared to work for your grade

Very had class with lots of memorization of facts and reading. Very interesting though, but sometimes hard to take in so much information.

hard class for sure, but an intelligent prof. tests are difficult but fair and scaled incredibly, my C's on the tests got scaled so much that i ended the class with an A

very difficult class. horrible prof. i was totally distracted by his hair and his smoker's cough the whole quarter. when his paces across the stage his hair does this cockatoo thing...it's pretty funny

REALLY intresting guy. I tell people you either like him or you don't. he's VERY knowledgable in sociology, especially crime. Lots to know on exam, but he is very fair in grading. Gives excellent help to clarify things, but you have to ask him.

yes, his hair is constantly pompadoured up in a distracting cock-a-too. yes, he clears his throat more times than a vicks vapourrub commercial. But if anything, he's a very intelligent man that will teach you a lot about the criminal justice system, even how to talk cops out of MIPs.

If you can get past his mannerisms, he is a brilliant guy who knows tons about criminal justice. Tests are pretty straight forward. Know the study guide and you'll be fine. Loved the class.

Way too obsessed with Marxism. Sometimes in his theory class I decided it was all he knew. But then, he is also just about the most helpful and funny prof I've had. He really prefers a bold writing styles and hates passive voice. It's a good thing.

Engaging professor, I really appreciated his sense of humor and command of sarcasm. Plus, he REALLY knows his stuff. Was also laidback and easy to talk to. His tests were pretty difficult, he tended to try and cover too much in just three tests. If he broke them down a bit more it would be b

VERY helpful

This guy is a total badass. He's a genius and his lectures were amazing. He's also hilarious. Basically, I'm in love with him.

If you do the reading and show up for class, you'll do just fine!...Isn't that a crazy idea!

I had him three times at Western and he got better everytime. Sure his tests were difficult but he was always available to help through email or in his office. I learned a ton in his classes and I really enjoyed his sarcasm, wow. I remember the time in the theory class that he began to recite lyrics from Eminem's "the real slim shady"...funny as hell.

If you put a reasonable about of effort into the class, then you'll be fine. He curves the exams which makes them exceptionally easy, and he uses a lot of the questions from his practice tests on the real test.

Dr. Inverarity is the most helpful professor I have ever had. He is always there to help, and he will always go the extra mile to give you help if you ask for it. He can seem a bit unclear to a lot of people in his lectures because of his brilliance, but the tests are curved in such a way that they end up being EASY. A 75% ends up being an A.

The guy has quirks, but who doesn't? Very helpful and knowledgable.

He can sometimes forget that he's talking to undergrads, but is very helpful if you have any questions. The tests are curved...a lot. Exam questions often come straight from in-class quizzes. In-class quizzes are just for attendance and aren't scored. What more could you ask for?

Man his classes are SO HARD TO ATTEND...he's so boring and I always end up sleeping. He's organized and VERY helpful though if you go see him personally in office hours. I was pretty surprised about that. He makes you work for your grade too. His exams are pretty hard, but his study guides are awesome.

I love Inverarity's class. I guess that goes to show that some profs work for some people and not others. Just do your**** and study (hard) and you should do well.

I had him for 255 and 355. His class was pretty easy for both. I found myself not going to his class more and more, but not because I didn't like him. Study his notes that he posts online and if you do go to class, keep your quizzes because he takes test questions straight from them. He is very helpful and easy to talk to in his office.

He's very knowledgeable and he grades on a curve which is nice. Only downfall to his class is for the exams that he asks way too many questions (90 questions in a 80 minute class period) which results in rushing through the entire time. Other than that if you like sociology or criminal justice I highly recommend him.

Not a bad class. The presentations that we had to do were a little pointless. A LOT OF READING. If you do most of the reading, go to every class (quizes just about every class), and pay attention at least half the time you'll be fine.

When you take this class do bring Coffee, Tea, or any caffeinated beverage that will keep you up! His lectures are on interesting material, however, his presentation of it is dry. If you read the book, his notes, and study the practice test you will be fine. He curves grades as well so thats good. For the final study all of the old tests.

I think that he has a much worse rep then he deserves. I found this class to be challenging but at the time I am writing this I am getting a very solid A. I took full advantage of his office hours which helped a lot. He is not a good people person but this is college and he is knowledgeable That's what counts. A little boring. Go to class!

Extremely difficult class in comparison to what I was expecting, but I got out of it more than I thought as well. Lectures are hit or miss, but they didn't bother me. Very knowledgeable, and --loves-- helping students (but only when they ask for it)

Jim is really a committed teacher, he loves the subject but sometimes his explanations were indecipherable. He was always willing to help, although, it wasn't always that helpful, he sort of talks in circles. WARNING: You will fall asleep during this class, other then that, I put in medium-hard work and got a B. Pay attention to his awesome hair.

Inverarity is the man. The negative comments on here must reflect an insolent and lethargic part of our student body.. Jim's not funny!?!? Maybe you don't think so because his jokes are flying over your head..

I learned so much in this class, historical tid bits about Affirmative Action and Stratification that continuously make me think. Jim is brilliant and his sense of humor is sarcastic and witty. Tests are very challenging so study hard!

I took 302 last quarter and got a good grade after A LOT of hard work. He is a great and intellectual teacher who will help you any time you need to meet with him. For the people who complain about being bored in his classes, did you really expect to be entertained in college?

He isnt that bad. If you study, go along with the class notes and use the study guide you should get a good grade. it wasnt that hard. I barely went to class and didn't really read the books, just the class notes and study guide.

People in class would say that this prof is really hard, but coming out of the class I have to disagree. All I had to do was keep the random "attendance" quizzes and read the syllabus and I walked through that class. It's interesting material for the most part. He can be dry and seems very severe, but he was always super helpful with questions.

The bad: stutters, mumbles, clears his throat every 2 - 15 seconds, lots of "uh" and "um". The good: A sense of humor, very knowledgeable, laid back attitude. The class itself is very straightforward: quizzes every day (15%) and 3 tests (15%, 30%, 40%). Just read his lecture notes before class and you're set for the daily quiz.

Best prof of my college career! I took 302 and my capstone w/ him. Prof is so helpful and dedicated to students who make time to get help from him. Always willing to schedule appointments for you when you need clarification. He's also smart as heck and lectures very throughly. Hard but interesting classes that require hard work, folks!

Yes he stutters and yes he is a bit wacky...but he is a fantastic professor! He knows sociological law and theory in and out, he just conveys that knowledge different than other professors. I've taken three classes with him, gotten A's in all of them, and would recommend him to anyone.

inverarti is totally misunderstood. yes, his explanations can be a bit fuzzy at times. but really most of the sociology majors just asked unbelievably stupid questions and then did not actually pay attention to his answers. he is extremely smart, insightful, witty, funny, and very helpful, flexible, and understanding. go jim.

Easily on the greatest professors I have ever had. He is misunderstood to a huge degree. His knowledge of the material he is teaching is unmatched, and his willingness to help those who seek a greater understanding was amazing. I had a class every quarter with Jim, because I knew that I would come out of it much more prepared. Amazing Professor.

This class was easy as long as you read the court cases, studied from the practice test and study guides he posts. He is very helpful when you go into his office hours. People who are doing poorly in the class probably do not read from the book or going to class. He does grade on a curve and tends to make mistakes but he fixes them later.

I definitely agree that he is misunderstood by his students. A lot of the students in my class didn't give him enough credit. He's a smart guy and I did have to clarify many things with him but he is definitely willing to do so. Easy class if you attend most of the lectures and do the study guides.

I had him years ago and he made a real difference in my life. I am now a civil rights lawyer and have used much of what I learned from him on nationally recognized cases.