Dr. McGene is a very fair professor. She clearly states that everything that will be on the test will be what she talks about in class, so attendance is mandatory. The books are mostly assigned for the short 3 page papers she assigns. She realizes the lectures are long, but she makes them entertaining by making jokes. Attend class? Grade A.

Professor McGene is an excellent teacher. She keeps lectures entertaining and you learn a lot from them. I've already taken her for 2 different sociology courses and would take her again if given the chance. Class attendance is a must if you want to succeed.

Very entertaining lectures! Very good professor.

Dr. McGene is amazing. She's pretty strict about not accepting late assignments and mandatory attendance, but the class isn't that hard so it shouldn't be a problem. Her lectures are super entertaining (she doesn't allow laptops or phones so they have to be), and she makes even the most mundane topics interesting. Sassy & funny professor.

Dr. McGene only lectures without the use of powerpoints. You cannot skip class because attendance is taken and plus you need the info from her lectures. She's super clear about what is expected and what she wants you to know. She's funny and will sometimes call you out if you're asleep.

Dr. McGene is great. Her lectures are very entertaining because of her humor and charisma and the class itself has few assignments. Attendance is mandatory, but she makes you want to come anyway. I highly recommend her class!

She doesn't allow phones or laptops but she is so interesting and fun to listen to that it doesnt even matter. Attendance is mandatory both for points and for hearing her lectures. all of the information from the tests comes from lectures so if you go and pay attention, you never need to read. definitely worth it!

Very good prof! I love her!!

The funniest teacher I have ever had. She is hilarious and always willing to help you. Love her! I have taken two SOC courses with her now, and have done great.

Professor McGene is an expert in her field and a skilled communicator. She encouraged open dialogue in class - especially regarding ideas that were foreign or politically volatile. In office hours she was very patient and eager to discuss the implications of our work in class. She was one of the most engaging lecturers I've had at USC.

Her syllabus is really intense (no phones, no laptop, no reentering class) and if it is scaring you into switching out--DONT! Dr. McGene's lectures are hilarious! She's wicked smart, engaging, and by far the BEST professor I've ever had. Her sociology of health class changed the way I think about medicine and disease. An awesome experience!

She is incredible. The class is straightforward and easy to understand. She is witty and sarcastic and perfect. I hadn't taken math in 3 years and I passed with flying colors.

One of the best professors I've had, and her lectures are animated and pretty easy to follow. She's chill but strict about certain things such as attendance and turning things on time. The class was amazing overall, just make sure to take the papers (just 4 three-page papers) seriously, as they are weighted a lot more than the exams.

This class is really interesting and she is an amazing professor. HOWEVER her classes are VERY early in the morning and attendance is mandatory.

This class is the reason I am thinking of double-majoring in sociology. She is an amazing lecturer and is very passionate about what she teaches. She has a great sense of humor and shares personal anecdotes that make lectures very interesting. She even takes the time to learn the names of the students who regularly participate in class.

McGene is amazing. One of the most engaging professors I've had at USC. I didn't even mind her no laptop policy because the lectures were genuinely that good. She's super funny and very well prepared for every lecture. She doesn't use any visual aids or post notes so you need to attend every lecture, but the material isn't that hard.

Professor McGene is the best. She's funny, engaging, and the general course material is really interesting. By far best professor I've had. I even tried to take another one of her classes next semester. 100% recommend!!!

McGene is seriously the best. I really looked forward to going to her lectures-- they were engaging, interesting, and she took time to answer all of our questions! She doesn't allow electronics in class which I typically don't like, but in this case I think it made me enjoy the class more because I payed more attention. Best GE C- take this class!!

McGene's pretty strict on a few things - no tech in class, and attendance is mandatory - miss more that two classes and she cuts your participation points in half. BUT BUT BUT she's the funniest and the most energetic prof I've had. She made lecture so interesting I hardly ever felt bored, and if you pay attention (not hard to do), tests are easy!

McGene is one of the best professors I've ever had. She is hilarious and keeps her lectures engaging enough that she doesn't even need a powerpoint/visuals to keep your attention. There is a no tech in class policy, but this helped me actually pay attention and understand concepts. Overall not a difficult class- and a very thought provoking one.

Dr. McGene is hilarious but she's pretty intense. No zoning out during lectures but she lets you out early and doesn't use the book at all. Great class and great prof just put real effort into the essays and pay attention during lecture.

she's overall entertaining and has a good sense of humor. but she is definitely not a math teacher, you can't rely on her to explain a concept well, she'll only really be able to tell you how to do something. kind of a "do it like this because that's how you do it" instead of "we do it this way because...," that being said it's an easy class

This was by far one of my favorite classes I have taken at USC. Sociology has nothing to do with my major, but the class was interesting without being a burden homework wise. It's an easy A, but only if you actually pay attention/take notes/participate. Grading is based on attendance, midterm/final, and 4 short papers. Take this class!!!

Professor McGene is a fantastic lecturer. She has a strict no technology rule (no phones, laptops, iPads), but she spends enough time explaining concepts it's easy to keep up with a pen and paper. She takes attendance, but, her lectures are really funny and engaging. 4 short (3 page) papers and 1 midterm and the final are the only grades.

Loved her lectures. She is funny and ties in examples to the real world. Online, she was really accommodating and made sure that the final exam was fair. I would say the material is not hard but can be a lot of terms. My only complaint is that the class was mostly essays graded by the TAs, so be prepared to articulate your words well!

Freshman here! She has to be one of my favorite professors! The lectures were always so funny and enjoyable because of her humor and relatable real life applications. Also shoutout to Mary! she was the best TA<3 I would def take this class again if I can. I learned so much and now I cant stop viewing everything in a sociological perspective.

Very interesting class and she makes it even more engaging with funny, fast-paced, clear lectures. I am the type of student who struggles to pay attention in class, but this class was one that I genuinely enjoyed watching. There is a short essay to write almost every week, but they are graded easily and the criteria is clear. Highly recommend!!

Professor McGene is a real gem! Take her and you won't regret it. Make sure to take detailed notes and you will fly through the midterm and final. The TA (Mary) was super sweet and lead interesting discussions every week.

4 papers, easy grader, lectures on everything you need to know - no surprises

When first starting the class you will learn about the foundation of Soci (which can be boring), but soon enough you begin to understand and create connections between a lot of the content in class to movies, life, etc. She is very straightforward and funny. Definitely find a group of ppl to correct your papers and participate in the chat!

her lectures and essays are straightforward, but all she does is talk on Zoom. Rarely any powerpoint or anything visual at all. Great if you are an auditory learner, but watch out if you are a visual learner.

Wow, Prof McGene was a great choice! I was a little nervous about the email she sent out at the beginning of the semester, no PowerPoints just listening and hand notes, but do not let that intimidate you! She is very caring and made me feel like I am getting a great education even on zoom. Lectures are fascinating and easy to follow!

The material is interesting and McGene is funny and enthusiastic. Whoever said she forces her beliefs on her students clearly doesn't understand that this is what sociology IS. Research supports everything she says, and she provides those resources. You can choose not to accept the class material but that's on you for being closed-minded.

Loved Mc Gene! She is super funny and her lectures are very interesting. While yes there are a decent amount of assignments, they aren't hard because she explains everything so well and wants her students to thrive and think outside of the box.

Dr. McGene is truly the best professor at USC. Her lectures are extremely interesting and informative all while being hilarious at the same time. There are three short papers and two exams that are straightforward. She made me want to switch my major to a social sciences major, and I will most definitely take her again. She is the absolute best!

Its pretty annoying having no slides and having to rely on your notes since she can talk on and on. However, the concepts are really easy and mostly common sense, and prof McGene is so funny. Honestly the most charismatic person Ive met. Given the political nature of the class, she stays pretty objective and doesnt push her personal views, too.

McGene is hilarious and engaging. I just wish I had the chance to take her in person. This class is such an easy A and grading is not very hard.

Summer Session II for Summer 2021. I was a bit intimidated at first but Prof McGene was so funny and smart. Her lectures are really interesting and I am disappointed I didn't get to experience her class in person. LOTS of readings but you honestly don't have to do them until you write the paper which is just based off of 2 of the readings.

Really fun and engaging prof. Mandatory attendance in person and no laptops allowed eek. Otherwise content is fascinating, graded on like 2 papers, midterm and final.

really great class and prof! the class is pretty easy as long as you pay attention during lecture and take good notes. the class is graded on 4 quizzes, the midterm, the final, and a really small project. she doesn't allow computers so be prepped to handwrite everything (she talks kinda fast). overall a really great prof and super interesting class

This is my second time having McGene and she remains to be one of the best profs. Her lectures are interesting and she is hilarious, so going to class just to laugh is a plus. The first half of the class is Intro Soci stuff and the second half is demography. The work is basically easy short papers and take-home papers for midterm/final. Take her!

such a great lecturer. graded on a few take home quizzes (only reason for the textbook), an easy project, a midterm, and a final. Clearly cares about her students. Would 100% take her again if I could.

This is my queen and I love her and want to be her best friend. Going to her lectures is literally like watching a Ted Talk - she is so funny. You have legitimately 0 work - YOU MUSTTTTTTT take this for GE-C.

Such a good prof and so engaging. No electronics allowed but honestly made lecture much easier to focus and engage in. Papers were short and the tests were very straightforward. The TAs are amazing; if you go to office hours before a test/paper they will tell you everything you need to know. Lots of reading. If you do the readings and study-easy A!

LOTS of reading. Professor is the most engaging professor I've had, but there is a ton of material to cover. The information isn't difficult to understand, but you should take a few days to study for the midterm and final. She expects yout to read a ton but it isn't completely madatory because she bases tests on material covered in lecture only.

Professor McGene kept lectures interesting and had clear grading criteria. We were graded by a few papers and 2 tests. The first test was multiple choice with some written responses and the second test was just multiple choice. Technically, you don't need to do the readings because she covers everything in class.

Super engaging lecturer, but make sure you go to class and take notes cause it's hard to make up material. Readings are not required and exams are pretty easy (although final had some randomly specific things she mentioned once). Essays are pretty easy as well and graded super generously. But make sure you do well on tests bc there is no begging!

Prof McGene was a gem! She makes you take notes by hand meaning no electronics but it honestly helps focus more during the lectures. There are a few papers (around 4) due but depending on your TA the grading is not too bad. The tests are in person but if you study the material well and took notes during lecture, you'll be alright! She's hilarious!

I liked McGene but depends on who you are honestly. There are no electronics allowed in class at all and notes are taken by hand. There were very very few assignments which I liked but I found the tests a little tricky so it was difficult to get a high grade. I did not do readings but took really good notes in class. She is funny and engaging tho.

Professor McGene is so fun. Her lectures are really engaging and whether you're a SOCI major or taking her for a GE, you'll love the class. Her classes are no tech and she doesn't take anyone's BS. She's very down to earth and clearly intelligent and passionate about her field of study. A genuinely sweet and funny person and professor. Take her!

Best lecturer. She doesn't post recordings or powerpoints, so you have to go to class, which is entertaining (esp because no technology policy). I learned a lot about society that I applied to my other courses. 3 essays-3 pages max double spaced. Multiple choice midterm and final. Great for GE!

McGene is definitely a polarizing prof with mandatory lectures (w/ no computers, paper and pen only) and without a powerpoint to follow. yet, i LOVED her. her lectures are entertaining and easy to follow. everything is logical and she tells a story with the content she's sharing. tests are fair. TAs are not though - wouldn't recommend Yael at all.

Never taken a sociology class, never read the textbook, never studied for tests until last minute. Tests/essays are easy if you show up to each lecture and take notes. She's a hilarious lecturer. NOTE: You're only allowed to take paper notes (unless you have an accommodation). She doesn't use slides. Nontraditional but best prof I've had at USC.

-No electronics -Attendance required for class and discussion (sign-in sheet) -3 short papers -1 midterm essay -3 CDP papers (assigned country to analyze, discussion helps) -1 final essay -No late work policy -A lot of papers but they should be pretty easy as long as you go to lectures and take good notes -Lectures are easy to follow and understand

Grading depends on the TA you get. For a lower division class it had too many assignment.

Normally I'd just wanna stay on zoom or look at the recordings, but she's hilarious and makes you want to go to her class! (also bc she doesn't have a recording lol, but during class she's literally teaching you step by step how to do the homework and the final paper's data analysis part, so pretty easy A if you pay good attention

Prof. McGene is amazing! I've enjoyed this class so much. Her lectures and the class are so interesting and you learn so much about society in general and family. I never really read and got an A on the paper and the midterm. Just go to class (every class, sometimes she cancels!) & understand concepts, you'll get an A and have fun doing it.

Great professor all around. Few papers throughout the semester but they are quite short and easily completable. Attendance policy is draconic, having more than 3 absences results in a grade drop of 8%, a fifth absence doubles that and makes the highest possible grade you can get an 84% in the class. No electronics allowed in class.

McGene is absolutely hilarious. Her lectures are incredible and engaging, esp for such a boring class. Few papers that are super manageable, but you need to go to lecture to know anything. She's amazing and supportive and will help if you ask for it. no electronics which is annoying, but otherwise amazing. Take her class!!

One of my favorite professors yet. She's extremely engaging and it's easy to get an A in this class. All you have to do is follow what she says, show up, and pay attention in class. I was a bit apprehensive at first because of the no electronics policy but it worked out in the end. She gives great feedback on your essay topics!

McGene is for real my favorite professor at USC. She tries to act like a tough prof, especially in her intro course, but she is so sweet and funny. You can tell she really cares about sociology and her students. She is also sooo funny. Love her

Dr. McGene, despite the no electronics rule, makes lectures fun and engaging, and she is very approachable and funny. Attendance is mandatory, as long as you communicate absences and show up to discussion. There were 3 1-page essays, 3 demography assignments, and take-home exams, and as long as you take semi-good notes, you'll be fine!

She definitely comes across wrong sometimes, gets agitated when students raise their hand while she's talking, one time asked a student if she was boring him because he fell asleep, very strict about no electronics. BUT - teaching is her talent and she knows how to put up a performance. Class has 6 writing assignments, and a midterm+final essay.

attendance is strictly mandatory and no electronics are allowed in any of her classes. this annoyed me at first. however, she genuinely tries her best to make her lectures as interesting and applicable to each individual class as possible. shes no nonsense but also cares a lot about the wellbeing of students.

Prof. McGene is probably the ONLY professor who made me laugh during lectures in my entire USC career. Literally love this woman so much. She's very much no BS (do your work, come to class, don't be rude and you'll get an A) which I appreciated so much because it just made me enjoy the class more. HIGHLY RECOMMEND SOCI242 bc of her

the absolute goat! She's very nice, but do keep in mind you must attend class and due dates are strict. TAs determine your whole grade pretty much, but mine was completely straightforward and a very kind grader. Highly recommend!

I truly think that the bad reviews are because people are lazy and forget that college is meant to challenge you. Writing handwritten notes and focusing for an hour and a half w/o devices should not warrant a poor rating for such an amazing teacher! I took her 2x and would do it again if I could, if you want to learn something, take her class!

Literally the best prof of all time. She has the best sense of humor and her lectures are super engaging. Has clear instructions and expectations for all of her assignments. I've taken 2 of her classes and I would take them 10 more times if I could.

McGene is great. First class I've gotten through without computers because she makes it engaging. She can be a bit intimidating at first but she's just setting expectations, she's very understanding and graded kindly. Would highly recommend her classes for Soci and non-Soci majors!

Amazing professor, and I highly recommend. Attendance policy is annoying, but I honestly enjoyed lectures more than I expected. Useful and clear content to prepare for sociology section of MCAT while fulfilling GE requirement. Grading is very lenient and based on TAs, and she made the final optional which was extremely nice of her.

Dr. McGene is one of the most uplifting and down-to-earth mentors I have ever met. This was my second sociology course with her, and she just gets better and better each time. Her lectures are consistently engaging, and I've never experienced a classroom where students so openly and enthusiastically participate in discussions. BEST PROFESSOR EVER!!

Amazing professor! Her way of lecturing is so engaging and she really emphasizes how what we learn in class applies to our careers, interactions, etc. Attendance is mandatory, but it's not uncommon for class to end early. Would absolutely take again.

Professor is great! I loved her. Yeah the no computers/phones was annoying but you get over it. She's an engaging professor to listen to and I feel like she actually understands and cares about how we are doing not just as students, but people in general. She's great! Would definitely take again!

McGene is one of my favourite professors I've had here at USC. Very kind, entertaining and knowledgeable - it's clear that she enjoys teaching and is passionate about this course. I'd say it's fairly easy to get an A in this course so long as you attend all the lectures and submit assignments on time.

By far my favorite professor at USC. You will actually discuss important issues. If you get uncomfortable easily or don't enjoy discussing sensitive issues, this is not the class for you. She expects participation and going to class. Professor McGene's lectures are fun and engaging. She rocks.

McGene is one of the best professors at USC. This course is discussion-heavy, but it makes for a great class. There is a large focus on the literature review. The preparation for this paper is split among many assignments. There are a few presentations, class topics, and literature review topics.

lot of attendance, participation, and writing required but nothing is actually too hard. for some reason is really, really squirrely about having your phone or laptop out

Take her if you: 1. want to genuinely develop new ways of looking at the world around you 2. would like to not fall asleep in lectures 3. like cool, unserious, and knows-what-they're-doing professors Don't take her if you: 1. want an easy A without paying attention at all or going to class 2. hates note taking by hand with a burning passion

made something as extremely technical and easily boring as research methods engaging, imo that's s-tier teaching, so engaging and funny. divided final paper into steps, by the end it was nothing. clear instructions & very lenient grader, basically impossible to get something lower than A- if you paid attention, followed the steps, and met deadlines

she get's you hooked so fast. an enthusiastic and kind person. lectures are resourceful + funny + a pinch of sarcasm. didnt care about mandatory attendance bc i always looked forward to her class. got used to the hand taking notes quickly and realized doing so made knowledge stuck so well. end up with the most takeaways among all my classes.

Amazing professor, super funny and understanding. As long as you take notes in class, the midterm and final wouldn't be hard. You can always ask her after class if you missed something during the lecture and she will explain it to you. She has a way of making dry theories lively and easy to remember.

No homework, but you are only allowed to take notes by hand. No electronics allowed. Everything she says in lecture has a shot of being on the midterm and exam. Not a hard GE as long as you pay attention and review WELL for the exams. The TAs are the only ones that grade your papers. Attendance is crucial, but the class wasn't bad.

Attendance is graded, but lectures are really captivating. Not that many supplementary materials are provided - whatever she says in class could be on the exam, so notes are really important. TAs were approachable, and the midterm & final were pretty easy too. Papers seem tricky, but the TAs/prof clear up all doubts you might have.

Lectures were like watching a stand up comedy show since the professor simply just lectures without any electronics and we were not allowed computers/phones for notes. I would fall asleep sometimes but overall this class was fairly easy, despite mandatory attendance. 3 one page essays, midterm, 3 CDPs, and a final.

Prof. McGene was an amazing lecturer. She earnestly tried to make the content engaging. Some people are put off by the no-electronics policy, but honestly, I feel that it helps you pay more attention. Assignments were relatively light - she cared more for our learning than being punitive, which was nice for a change! 10/10 Would recommend.

goated lecturer i always looked forward to going to this class. i appreciated the handwritten notes actually and started doing that in my other classes too; it really does help you pay attention. the essays and cdps were easy and for our section she made the final optional. you will learn a lot in this class so make sure to go! plan out ur absences

Easy A imo, but I guess it's also dependent on your TA cause they grade everything. However, I didn't hear any negative things about any of the TAs. No phones/electronics allowed during class which made me almost fall asleep a few times but McGene does a decent job of keeping everyone engaged. Allowed 2 lecture + 1 discussion absence. Final waived.