Hands down the smartest teacher at UW. Has written books, started his own political party, has 2 degrees in 3 years from yale, you can listen to him on and on because it's amazing someone can be this intelligent

This prof is amazing!

This professor is hugely recommended, not just because of his exteme intelligence, but because of his ability to make a 2 hour evening class go by in about 45 minutes. A very admirable person outside of academics, because he acts on his social concerns.

Rogers extremely intelligent, but one awful teacher. I rarely learned anything factual in his class, and when I did the data was usually from a biased source. Rogers has no business teaching when he uses his class as a platform for his political agenda.

Rogers is an exceptional teacher. His genius radiates in lecture.

Crazy Liberal!

Rogers is very passionate and has a huge amount of knowledge. His course challenges the status quo and makes you rethink many of the things you take for granted as an American citizen.

I sweat this guy's nuts. Seriously, best prof I've had ever.

Amazing. Best professor I've ever had. I can't say enough good things about him. His intelligence radiates throughout the classroom. His lectures zoomed by because everyone was so mesmerized with his speaking.

Yes, Prof. Rogers is intelligent and a good lecturer. He is, however, an AWFUL professor. EVERYTHING in the class is ridiculously biased (towards the left, that is); he presents his own opinions and political agenda as FACT. The word nonpartisan has never touched his ears.

Basically I am in love with this man. He could be one of the best professors at the University. The tests are not easy, because they cover a lot of material, but if you do the readings and go to class you will be fine. The class seems to fly by even though it is in the middle of the night. This class is definitely worth taking; Rogers is amazing!

To those who gave him a low rating for being "biased." The definition of a professor is one who professes. Profess: To affirm openly; To affirm belief in. Yes, this man is progressive, but extremely intelligent to back it up. I went into the course as a moderate, came out enlightened. Low raters chose to remain ignorant, for the most part.

Excellent class, but the tests are harder than you'd expect. I wouldn't want to spend monday night any other way, so don't miss one of his classes.

Although his manner is a little awkward and blunt at times, this man is a true genius and presents a lot of material, but it's very general and tends to coincide with intro poli sci courses and economics. I think a class like this should be required. The class gets to be a little long when he goes on frequent tangents but overall, great course.

Great professor- I learned a lot in the class. It was surprised by how quickly the lectures went by considering their length. Sometimes they got boring when he rambled, but very interesting as a whole. As for exams, study the notes and know the main points of the movies, obviously know the terms on the study guide.

I am seriously in love this this man, to the extent that I want him to become president. Easily the most inspiring and eye-opening class I have ever taken. He is engaging, extremely intelligent, and funny. Not to mention the lecture content is applicable to everyone.

Amazing...rated one of the top 100 people in the nation to make social and political change in the US, so he's got quite a background. You'll learn alot!

He's extremely intelligent, but I was usually bored in lecture, cause he almost seemed bored by what he was saying. It's actually interesing topics, but he drones on sometimes. Readings are good though, and you can kinda get away without attending lecture.

awesome class, learn incredible things about this screwed up country. such a liberal class, so if you aren't into that, i wouldn't take it with joel

Very intersting class, relatively easy multiple choice tests, really intelligent prof. Sometimes Joel rambles in his lectures and glazes over important stuff. You don't need to do all the readings but you need to be familiar with main points and some vocab from reading; usually on the test you can guess the right answer for reading Q's.

Joel is an amazing teacher. He has written many books and he really knows what he's talking about. I gained more knowledge in this class than any other. This is a great first Soc course if you haven't taken any yet.

I absolutely loved this class. Went by super-fast. Some people were bored or thought he was biased but if they had no interest in the subject matter they shouldn't have taken the class anyway. And I don't think he was excessively biased. Rogers is a genius and I loved listening to him.

He is awesome!! My favorite professor by far, I had a horrible TA, but he is still a great teacher, would have dropped otherwose. Tells jokes and pretty chill in general. Im guessing if you are super conservative you wont like this class. Definitely take if you are looking at sociology as a major

class is pretty one-sided - very socialist and liberal. this guy is hilarious and obviously very intelligent. prob doesn't put a lot of effort into such a low level class, but if ur interested at all in political soc, this class is perfect for u! 2.5 hour lecture is hard to manage, but def worth every minute. u'll def learn something useful!!

The class is easy enough, but its basically just learning about his particular beliefs. Average grade is like a B and that can be achieved with little attention to the readings. Lectures are 2.5 hours long, though, and seem to drag on forever. Its a boring but easy class.

The professor is a very witty, intelligent, and accomplished man. He does not, however, care about the class or the university in general. He always had better things to do. He once asked what Sellery Hall was. Despite all this, he was very interesting to listen to. He managed to make a 2.5 hour class go by quickly. Just do your readings!

The Professor is one of the most brilliant people I have ever listened to. He does not, however care at all about the class and as a result, the course is not well organized. Advice for people taking the class: skip all of the massive reading assignments as TAs spoon feed it to you anyway...attend lecture...easy A

Hilarious professor, teaches some very complex material, but he tends to ramble a little, which might be the cause for the 2 1/2 hour lecture, which is a LONG time on a Monday night. Very knowledgable in his subject, tends to have quite a liberal slant, but he backs it up with facts so its hard to dismiss. Learned a lot!

Incredibly smart just google him... Really funny! This class is amazing and I feel its a must to take! He makes you very knowledgeable and supports his teachings with unbiased, clear research. If you appreciate learning beyond the textbook then take this class. Even if you aren't open-minded give it a shot...

If you want to see what is happening behind the scenes in America, take this course. Rogers is like a modern hipper version of Noam Chomsky, he knows his stuff and is not afraid to tell you about it.

Great teacher. The only problem was the lectures could get pretty long but considering it was a 4 credit class, meeting once a week for 2 and half hours didn't seem too crazy. The tests were pretty easy if you actually read the book and studied a little bit.

2.5 hr lectures are a living hell. Got an AB only attending half the lectures, did all the readings and studied the book. Term lists are incredibly vague, ask questions early. Extremely leftist, backs most information up but leaves out big chunks of reasoning. Overall, great class that changed how I see the US.

Brilliant, obviously knew his stuff, definitely biased but backed it up and up-front about it. Could be abrasive and a bit grumpy at times, though. Unfortunately, much more of your grade and learning experience depended on your TA. Talk to him about his personal political experience.

Very intelligent professor,knowledgable and humurous,! But he throws too much information within a 2 and a half hour lecture; which is kinda hard for me to process. Despite of that, his class is brilliant!

All of the tests are multiple choice. No homework, and just read the textbook and you will be fine. The 2.5 hour lectures are long, but the slides are also online.

Enjoyable Subject. Good Teacher. Interesting Opinion.

You dont get any homework except to read the book. 2 and 12 hour lectures are long but theyre only once a week. Class is very interesting but professor Rogers is VERY liberal. He is very opinionated and he definitely inserts his liberal opinion into the lectures and the book that he wrote. I enjoyed the class a lot even though he is so liberal.

Very impressive dude. Get ready to have your world view changed.

The man in a genius. Sometimes he goes on long rants and his interactions can be odd sometimes, but he really knows what he is talking about. Long lectures but if you're paying attention he gives you the answers to test questions in the things he says. He is an unbelievable man and I learned a ton.

There are only 3 exams, some questions worded poorly but overall pretty easy. Section attendance is a must.

If you have taken any economics class and have a basic understanding of the argument of the left, this class is not that bad. Rogers is brilliant, his lectures are mostly him ranting but if you look past the terrible slides and actually read his book, you will learn a lot. Not to mention my TA, Griffin, is the best TA I've ever had.

If you read the book (takes probably an hour each week), this class is not at all difficult. Lecture is not needed. It involves extremely basic econ/politics, and most of the people complaining about this are freshman unprepared for college. Presents a leftist viewpoint and ways to strengthen our democracy and in turn our society. Interesting class

One of Wisconsins best faculty, if not the best. Joel Rogers is a genius and cares about his students. Helps students grow and learn. Highly recommend.

With over 50 years public and private sector management & consulting Soc 125 was an eye-opener. Joel Rogers masterfully organized/delivered material across 3 domains - Capitalism, Inequality, Democracy. He empirically contrasted the American promise with the reality. Should be require course so grads understand the world they will be entering

If you know what to expect, this is easy credit. Otherwise LEAVE IT ALONE. Would be shocked if anyone can survive his lectures. Please skip em, and memorize the slides and every term on review sheets (Quizlet can help) the day before every exam instead. Book is well-written. Prof is very knowledgeable but obviously has no idea how to teach.

While Professor Rogers might sometimes be stubborn and a little bit offensive, if you have any interest in social issues in America, this class is a good class to take. The long lectures are annoying, but you get used to them. Professor Rogers wrote the textbook for this class and is a very interesting man that is very passionate about the material

If you have the chance to take a class with Joel Rogers, do it, this man is incredibly insightful and intelligent. He doesn't just teach sociology; he rewires your entire understanding of American society with a level of depth and clarity that makes you question everything.

Professor Rogers is hands down one of the most brilliant professors at UW. His lectures are packed with insight, challenging you to think critically about American society in ways you never have before. As long as you do the readings and go to lecture, you will succeed in this class.

The class is definitely difficult, but everyone should take a class with Joel Rogers. He has great experience in politics and sociology and that translates into the classroom well.