Teacher knows what she wants, so take her seriously. She doesnt joke around.

Talks about coitus too much, but a decent professor.

Her Intro Sociology class is very interesting. Not a hard professor but you do gotta work for the grade. She is very helpful and understanding. She really seems to care about her students

BEST TEACHER EVER! very passionate, and intelligent! will never forget her!

This class takes a little work, and she is not an easy teacher. She acts like a really tough teacher, but she really isn't that bad. Must attend class to understand what is going on since she doesn't follow the book.

An excellent and intelligent professor who teaches with such passion that she makes the class an unforgetable experience

Dr. P is really cool she is very easy to go to if you can find her! But she has helped me out a lot with questions about course work. I have learned a lot about from her class.

Karen Polonko is the best teacher I have had at ODU so far. I have taken two of her classes and plan to take more. Her classes are somewhat difficult but just come to class and you'll do fine. Take her class, you'll enjoyt it.

Engaging and passionate lecturer, but VERY tough and highly opinionated!

Best class I ever took. Best professor at ODU. Learned so much from her. I'm inspired to work with children and on behalf of children because of this class. Super smart, super compassionate... makes you care and excited to learn. TAKE THIS CLASS or you'll miss out on the *BEST* ODU has to offer!!!!

Amazing professor. Cares so much about her students. Class will change your life!!! Make sure you read the articles carefully. She goes over in class but you will be lost if you didn't read ahead of time!!

Karen Polonko is a GODDESS! Take any class she teaches.

Took Dr. Polonko for soc of sexuality class - amazing professor. You will NOT be bored in this class.. for example, you write a research paper on orgasms. Interesting reading and class discussion.

Very fun class and prof is helpful. She even showed up at a student-organized review session outside of class. Not any easy "A" by any means, you will have to work for it here. But so WORTH THE EFFORT.

soc of sex- awsome class. take it you won't be disapointed.

The most caring professor there is!! She cares so much about her students and keeping them informed. I am trying to fit another of her classes into my schedule. She is not hard if you do the work and try but if you just want to slack off, do not take her class. If you want to learn and embrace the class you will do well.

Brillant lecturer, class is hardly boring, even when it's nearly 4 hours long. She has the ability to make the subject seem up-to-date and state-of-the-art, and shocking at times. The tests are graded lightly, and the orgasm paper is enlightening. It's an excellent class for breaking out of the conservative "American" mold on sex. KEGELS RULE!!

Dr. Polonko made me want to be a soc major, she made me want to change the world. She is compassionate, intelligent, and fair to all. Work hard or you'll probably hate her. That's your problem, not hers.

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Most interesting class i took at odu...her test were among the hardest though...but i loved the class

Soc 201S, she's really interesting in class, makes the class fly by. LOTS of reading, no collected homework, other than one paper, so you have to rely on doing well on the tests which are REALLY hard. but if everyone does bad she curves. you actually have to read the book and attend lectures in order to pass.

Great Teacher..she really shows her love for children through this class...her passion spreads like a wild fire and reaches everyone heart...Even though her test are hard and it takes lots of work I would defiantely have her for a teacher again

She is the nicest teacher.. Her test are not hard only if you really study... There are 4 gradesTest 1, 2, 3 and a paper its not a big deal.. the class will keep you woke!

She is amazing!

She is a tough teacher, but if you apply yourself you can learn SO much from her. It took me a while to get used to her teaching style. Her tests are difficult, but if you study you can definitely pass.

All the other posts sound accurate--she is life altering. She is so passionate and really makes you see the world in a different light...take her but try very hard...

Hard grader, but a good teacher. You will learn a lot by her. She has great passion for children. I will not recommend anyone to take this class if you are not serious or this is not the field that you are interested in. If you are in this field I recommend you to take her. She will certainly prepare you for graduated school.

STUDY STUDY STUDY to pass her class!! But at least she keeps it interesting!!!! Take HER SEX CLASS it can save your life!

I took Dr. P for soc of sex and for child welfare and some of the comments are very disturbing. Dr. P is a very eduacated woman who knows her information and expects you to know your stuff. If you pay attention you will be just fine. I recieved and A for her soc of sex class as a freshman.

I am a freshman and in Soc 201s. I totally disagree with the other people from 201. I LOVE Dr. Polonko's teaching and I think she is very intelligent and open minded. Compared to Soc. & Psych teachers I had in HS she is much more contemporary in how she teaches Soc and the material she presents us with. Tests are easy as long as you attend clas

after the first class was freaking out. she jumps around a lot and its easy to get lost. lectures arent mandatory, but she sometimes gives questions that will be on the test. she is a nice women, but she is very persistent on HER views. take this class if you have the time to work hard-read ALL chapters and blackboard readings.

Amazing! Absolutely mind-blowing, life changing professor. People that say that her tests are difficult obviously don't pay attention. I never read the material, just attended class and got an A. Made me challenge all my conservative views and make the world a better place. Sounds cheesy, but she was truly inspirational. Now minoring in sociology

Professor Polonko is a great professor who has a genuine passion for what she teaches and her students. Her class was easy if you attend class, take notes, read the print outs and skim the chapters.

I was a student of Dr. P's in the early '90s for Intro, Sex and her 1st Child Welfare class. She is tough & fair. She wont coddle you but will help you get it. For those of you fearing "brainwashing"; all professors want you to see it their way. She's open to debate but if you go at her you better bring your A game-she always does. You'll thank her

She a very nice person, however I felt like she tried to convert her students to be vegetarian/humanitarian/ liberal. All it really made me want to do was stop by McDonald's on the way home and spend $5 on a big, fat, meaty Big Mac.

Liberally biased? Ok, sure but-Best teacher I have ever had PERIOD! Amazing, life altering professor who is passionate about what she teaches and genuinely cares for her students.Her class goes by so quickly because the material is usually so interesting or shocking. Take her course and find out how much fun it can be! I love Dr. Polonko!

She assigns only the most important of readings. These readings give you the truth in the form of studies/cases/surveys. There will be times where you need to memorize statistical data. You need to be strong in reading and writing. Dont think it will be easy, you have to earn the grade if you truly care about expanding human rights to children!

She is very passionate about children and extremely helpful if you don't understand things! She assigns a lot of readings, i had the most work in this class and readings. You need to go to class, there are quizzes and its good to understand whats going on easier. If you want to be lazy and pass do not take this class! its hard work but you learn!

You have to be willing to put in the work if you want to get a good grade. She does curve grades a lot if she feels that the class really tried and put in effort. She is VERY passionate about the subject. And her class is interesting. Take lots of notes in class. And she will give you hints about stuff that will be on the exam. Great professor

I studied Sociology/Social Welfare undergrad, and Dr. Polonko gave me the passion to eventually seek a Masters in Counseling. Her class on Child Welfare will change your life. She's hard, but she's definitely NOT crazy. It's not hard to understand if you have passion for what you're studying and you get it. She gave me a reference for grad school!

This is a class I would recommend over the summer or if you have an easier course load.If you don't have to take this class don't it is very reading intensive and tests are very specific fill in the blank. The projects involve working with the ISOC group or giving a speech on material from class but it is super easy to complete these projects.

A great teacher. Very passionate about sociology, teaching, and her views. A great class. Also, she's hot!

I LOVE HER THE MOST!!! Her class is not easy so dont go into it with that attitude but she is passionate and very skilled at what she does. She cares about people and she does raise some eyebrows and offend some more conservative people but she taught me a lot about myself!

She can be all over the place during class and late sometimes, but overall she is a good teacher.

She is a great teacher! Whether you believe her views or not,you will learn from her. Show up for class and read what she gives you. She isn't easy - but neither is life. This is college. Grow up already whiners.

Dr. Polonko is one of the best professors out there! Maybe not the easiest, certainly not the hardest - but she is a REAL teacher. I learned from her.

Dr. Polonko is incredible, she is very passionate about everything she teaches and just really wants you to learn the information. You will do well if you go to class and take plenty of notes. She discusses everything on the tests in class, so just write down whatever she says and you'll do fine.

She's a good teacher,but is not that clear and the syllabus is confusing.Needs to be better organized.Also needs to stick on topic and quit jumping around.However, I do like her passion. Glad I had prior interest in subject.

Absolutely love her! She is my favorite professor. She's so nice, funny and she makes the subject interesting. Few assignments and they're easy to do. The tests are a bit challenging so you have to really study. She can be a bit scattered in the lecture but it helps if you record her (she lets you) and listen to it again. And read the chapters!

She's really passionate about the topic but her readings are unrealistic. This lady expects us to read 10 articles a week before class. Her test are extremely hard and it's unfair she's the only one teaching this course.

I LOVE Dr. Polonko.. I took her for Soc of sexuality and had to find another class of hers because I felt that she had so much more knowledge to share. Her tests are somewhat difficult, but she gives AMAZING study guides and has test reviews before every exam. She really does want people to pass. I recommend her for all Soc majors.

She was by far my favorite teacher this semester, her class isn't easy but it is so interesting and she is so passionate about what she is teaching.

great professor. she is very intelligent and knows what she is talking about. only three tests, no final!! goes a little fast during lectures but will slow down and explain if you have questions. test questions are divided between lectures, Bb postings and her in class lectures. be sure to go to class and read the text.

I took Dr. Polonko for intro and again next semester. she has passion and real knowledge of the class. I personally didn't read in her class however it can be helpful. All you need to do to get an A in her class is show up pay attention take notes and go to her reviews before each test. she is extremely nice and helpful. only 3 tests and 3 assignme

Hands down one of the very best teachers at any university. Plus, she's really HOT!

At first this class is extremely hard, but after the first two weeks everything makes sense. Don't skip class! The lectures are truly life-changing and worth every second. She's a great professor, but doesn't allow food or drinks. There's only three tests. There's A LOT of extra credit opportunities. SHE IS GREAT.

Dr. Polonko is passionate with her work and she will do anything to help a student IF she sees they are putting in effort. You will have to read, and studying is a must, but this was my far one of my favorite classes because of how much I actually retained. If you expect to skip class and not try, you won't do well. If you try, you'll see results.

Dr. P is very passionate about her work, almost to the point where you feel she is pushing her views on you more than teaching a class. However I still thought she was a good teacher. She is one of the first professors at ODU to give me feedback on almost every online assignment which was awesome!!! But most of the readings are all over the place.

Just go to class. The people below who said her class is extremely hard probably didn't go to lecture because she 100% prepares you for the tests. Sit in the front row and pay attention. Tells you what the essay topics are going to be on the test so I really don't understand why people think this class is so terrible. Don't need to read book.

Dr. Polonko is by far my favorite professor at ODU. Her lectures are articulate and thought-provoking. This is one of the few classes I've had that I can actually relate to my life. Her tests are tough and the paper is long. But, if you come to EVERY class (why wouldn't you?) you will do well. Sit in the front row. I'd take her again if I could.

Dr. Polonko is by far my favorite professor... ever. Her lectures are articulate and thought-provoking. This is one of the few classes I've had that I can actually relate to my life. Her tests are tough and the paper is long. But, if you come to EVERY class (why wouldn't you?) you will do well. Sit in the front row. I'd take her again if I could.

Don't let the first few classes scare you off. Her lectures were difficult to follow and I was so confused that I wanted to drop it. I decided to stick with her and ended up loving the class! The discussions are fun, just be respectful. Very statistically based tests. Offered extra credit. I didn't turn in an entire paper and got a B+, easy A.

She is very personable. Get the textbook and read it. She sometimes gives extra credit, it is really easy to do. Overall she is a great teacher.

Dr. Polonko is smart and knows a lot about her subject. However, her lectures are all over the place and she gets side tracked very easy. It makes the class fun and entertaining but she doesn't get you prepared for the tests at all. She pulls a lot of the test questions from the textbook and additional reading she assigns. She gives extra credit.

I had Dr. Polonko my first semester. I signed up for one of her classes every semester after. She is brilliant & she genuinely cares about teaching. If you want to learn something - take one of her classes. If you are lazy & don't want to study, don't bother.

Dr. Polonko is a great teacher!!! She makes you learn if you are willing, Isn't that what teachers are supposed to do?

Doctor Polonko is a super HOT lady with a brilliant mind. She genuinely cares about her students & what she teaches. Plus, she is very easy on the eyes. Take her class if you want to learn something. Don't take her class if you are expecting a free ride. My Thanks Professor. You were amazing Ma'am.