2.5
Quality3.5
Difficulty22%
Would Retake93
Reviews22%
Would Retake
93
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
15
4
12
3
17
2
20
1
29
What Students Say
“Write down absolutely everything she puts on the board”
SO208 - 4.0 rating“sit in one of the front two rows 2”
SO208 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.14 avg changeRatings by Course
SO208282308
5.0
(2)HP222C
5.0
(1)SO208308
4.0
(1)HP
4.0
(1)HP159TAICHI
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
SO01
5.0
STATS208
5.0
SO208
4.1
SO100
4.0
SOCIOLOGY
4.0
Reviews (93)
Very difficult to understand, her english is Rough! Read the book, skip class!
Terrible class, Skip it
she's alright, just gotta work with her.
Strong accent. Tests straight from book, Easy class.
Impossible to decipher anything she says, she knows no english whatsoever.
the accent is very strong and hard to understand, so its just easier to read the book, the only point of going to class is that she takes attendence and you get extra credit for that.
Extremely nice, a little hard to understand at first, by-the-book tests, wonderful woman.
TaiChi: Excellent teacher, very patient, extremely knowledgeable, wonderful woman!
She goes through everything step by step and makes the class easy to understand (minus her accent :) )
No Comments
Horrible Class. Exams on insignifigant facts, not concepts. Lectures are not helpful at all. Strong Accent, but does not interfere with understanding. Would recommend skipping this class, but attendance is factored into your grade
she's lectures pretty clearly, once you get used to her accent, and she tells you point blank what's going on be on the exam, and it's straight out of lectures and the book, the only thing, is you really need to go to class
No Comments
She's a very nice professor and teaches the class in a way that is pretty straight-forward and easy. Although I had no trouble, some people complain about her accent.
took 208, 282, and 308. liked her for all classes. a little difficult to get used to the asian accent if you're not used to it. goes through materials clearly. no tricks. very personable if you're friendly to her.
Very impersonal, hard to understand because of her chinese dialect, notes do not refer to tests she has, rambles on about immaterial stuff. I would not suggest her for a larger class the class average was a 68% that should tell you something
No Comments
STAY AWAY! she is very hard to understand. She is not very clear and her attepmts at explanations make it worse.
If you take the time to talk to her and get her into the class, she is a very good professor, and very funny. Take some time to LISTEN to her and she's not that hard to understand. She is a very good professor; I had her for 2 classes, did well in both.
Nice lady but boring as hell. I don't find Sociology interesting at all and she doesn't help. But she does go straight from the book which is sometimes helpful on the tests. I should have skipped class more.
I think she's an ok prof. She had all lectures on power point, but she deviated little from them. She wasn't real good at answering questions, but she does try. :) The accent is a little tough to get used to, but it's ok if you listen.
lectures come right out of the book which is very helpful..gets kind of boring at times though...her accent makes her hard to understand but overall a good prof
She is very easy to understand; the ones who couldn't look past her accent probably just weren't listening. She was very smart, knew her subject well. Followed the book closely, easy tests, clear albeit somethings boring lecture.
She is hard to understand and this is coming from someone who is good with acents. She does not teach, she basically tells what is out of the book. This is obvious since the first two test the average grades where 71.0, and a 65.
She is very hard to understand. She puts up the course notes, which are just major headings and she never explains them. This means she doesn't teach!!!!
poor english
can't understand. tests are hard
Nice prof., Wordy test, teaches straight out of the text(highlight), notes are sometimes helpful, but usually not, VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND HER!!! Big on the overhead! Takes attendence so you must show up or your grade suffers. I dropped the class!
HOrrible!Hard to understand with a thick chinese accent,but whats even worse is she does lectures through overhead notes that she writes her hand writing is impossible to understand.Its just scribbles.Her test questions hardly make sense. If you pass, I would be shocked and so would she I am sure.
At times hard to understand, and the notes don't make sense if you aren't paying attention. But, if you keep up with the reading, the answer the review questions she gives you, you should do pretty good on the exams.
She is a great person outside of class, but as a prof. the language barrier is extremely difficult to deal with in a class like research methods that is confusing enough on its own. I don't think its really her fault that she screws tests up and stuff, she just doesn't understand english that well.
Good for napping. She doesn't speak English very well. Tests are DIRECTLY from the book. Makes a semi-interesting subject very BORING.
The class was interesting, but it was extremely difficult to understand her speaking and her writing. You have to read the text and take good notes in order to do well on the exams, which is normal for any college class. If you take it, I suggest you sit in the front row.
If you actually listen, her accent isn't a barrier. The real problem is that she doesn't EXPLAIN things well enough - and SO 208 is a tough class! Nice lady, but not one of the better professors in the department.
she was such a nice woman. she had such a passion for sociology.
Very hard to understand, her notes are not exactly the best either.
For those interested in learning Dr. Yang is great, fabulous sense of humor. I reccomend taking a class with her rather than the alternatives.
She now uses powerpoints and posts them online, and they are basically what her tests are based on. She is a very nice and smart lady, but hard to understand, only class I've gotten a B in, basically because I couldn't understand her.
ok...so you can't understand her very well,but she doen't get offended when you need clarification. She knows what she is talking about but should not try to teach it. She needs to answer the questions asked, and have someone else write her tests so they are in proper english.
okay class, but se tends to touch you when she feels you are doing something wrong, which is a little unnerving.
She's extremely hard to understand, and her notes are not that helpful
You cant understand her from listening, but then her written notes dont make sense either. Her tests are moderate... If you are really interested, stray from this professor.
This class is decent, she's somewhat hard to understand, and her noted on the overhead are hard to read. The tests are moderatly hard and it takes some studying if you want a decent grade.
She is very unclear in her speach and the notes dont make sense.
Great instructor. She works to help students as much as possible. Explains things clearly. Excellent in 208 and 308 stats classes. Minority groups (282) a little heavy on Chineese info, but a good class all around.
It would be nice if she taught out of the book so I could study for the test. She is very hard to understand and not helpful at all. I would say that she is probably the worst teacher I have ever had.
Heavy accent blah blah blah. I had her for volleyball so all you had to do was show most of the time and play volleyball. She would let people leave early and if you missed a few classes she doesnt care so all in all she was cool.
Great Prof!!! She is easy to understand if you go to class! She gave me the encouragement to continue with research!! GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!! Love her
Very hard to understand and didnt care that you could not understand her. You need to really study, especially the study guide. Lucky though that she curves your final grade :)
Very hard to understand, and good luck trying to read her handwritting... I dont recommend her as a professor - take her if you like to get excited about chinese culture, like when she tallys students the 'old way from china'...
I'm a very good sociology student, and this class sucked. She is friendly enough, but she isnt very helpful. Her class lecture usually have little to do with the tests, she is difficult to understand at times, and she is stubborn. I can remember 3 seperate instances where answeres on her quizes were incorrect. My gpa = 3.7 My grade in S0 208 = C+
Prof Yang is always willing to demonstrate the forms if you don't understand or are having problems. Her main flaw is that sometimes she doesn't explain things well, so those demonstrations are key-- watch her like a hawk, and copy her movements. Added bonus: the class is 70% based on attendance.
Well, she isnt my favorite prof. but she is one of the better ones. I took her for summer soc. and she is very fast paced-take notes! i know her accent's really hard to understand sometimes, but she tries.
Shes got an accent.
This that were on the test weren't on the study guide.
I am a smart student (~4.0 GPA) and this was a very difficult class. I did not understand her incomplete sentences or misspelled words while taking notes. Grades are completely from exams (4 exams). The 22 pts of extra credit offered saved me in the class. Read the book & make flashcard out of the "questions" she gives you. Wouldn't recommend her.
Very difficult to understand, but she does write notes on the overhead as well. That helped a lot. She also gives review questions for each exam. These are put on the overhead and are pre-typed. For the most part her exams follow these, but not always. Also she does offer extra credit which really helped me!
Impossible to understand! And when you read the book as a backup, those answers aren't even right! She said "I went through that in lecture, the book is old" When I ask, but I can't understand her! Even in the first few rows. Also, she can't do anything with a computer, she wont but anything up for you. "Its not an internet class."
I have had this teacher for 4 classes and she is the worst teacher in the world. If i didn't have to take her i wouldn't. She doesn't speak clear and her tests are as unclear as her english. Never Take her!
She tells everyone what to expect from the beginning - sit close b/c her voice doesn't carry, read before coming to class, there are tutors available, work hard and you'll get the grade you want. I've taken 2 classes with her and enjoyed both. Other students who make rude comments about not understanding her need to grow up and show more respect
Challenges her students, knows her information, hard to understand her at times and tests are difficult, make sure you go to class everyday.
I had her for Methods of Social Research. She wasn't helpful, didn't seem to care whether students understood the subject, and showed up for the final exam over forty-five minutes late. By far, she was the worst professor I had at NMU.
This is by far the worst prof I've ever had. She wasn't helpful, didn't understand why anyone had questions, and refused to answer them, sometimes by cutting you off and saying "We move on now!" She uses different equations/symbols then the book, so pick one and use them. Show up for class. She will change quiz dates.
This Methods of Social Research class is a very difficult class to begin with. Between her severe accent, and unwillingness to help students, this is a horrible experience. I would not recommend this professor to anyone.
People complained about her accent a lot, but I didn't find it that difficult to deal with. Do the reading and attend class and you'll do just fine, the material isn't hard and the second half of the course was all student presentations.
She is a hard teacher but if you put in the time it's worth it. Write down absolutely everything she puts on the board. Her tests can be worded a little confusing but are pretty straightforward other than that. I didn't find her accent hard to understand but I know other people in my class did.
I took Dr. Yang's class for Social Methods 1 aka Statistics for Sociology. She is a strict professor and I would recommend two things 1. sit in one of the front two rows 2. attend every class!!!! She is not tech-savvy and has a strong accent, keep all papers and info and bring a calculator! Go to her for help, she will not come to you!!!
If you go to every class you will do great but he accent is very strong! When you ask her to explain something she says "You just know". Be prepares for a hard class.
This professor was awful. she was so hard to understand. and the worst part is she was NOT helpful at all!!! she didn't help or answer any questions!! terrible experience. never take this professor for a class.
Professor Yang is the WORST professor that I have ever had! She is never clear about what you need to study, and you can't understand her. She had us buy 7 books that we didn't need, then one we all needed for an assignment that was on the reserve list at the library. 1 book for 25 people needed to get an assignment done!
Dr. Yang is a great professor. She is very knowledgeable in sociology and passionate about both it and her students. She cares about student learning and is very committed to student success. I have taken multiple classes from her and enjoyed everyone. She is not a professor that will just pass you, you have to earn your grade, to me this is great.
The professor is very passionate and intense about the art of Tai Chi. She clearly demonstrates a life time of amazing skill. I struggled but I enjoyed the class. I hope to take it again. The professor is a proven qualified instructor, not all martial art studios have competent and safe teachers!
She gives no direction about her quizzes so you have to ask her what she wants instead of her just telling you.
She expects students to read, participate and show respect (toward her & other students' time). Lecture is strictly by accessible PowerPoints, but she does throw in videos, and group activities. She gives study guides and is willing to meet if you need help. She does not suffer fools who do not listen or or do other stuff during class (*gasp!*).
I failed her Stats class. I took it again, and went to tutoring and actually went to class. I still struggled but I got a B! She's a tough grader and she expects a lot, but she's not out to fail people. Definitely don't take her classes if you plan to half-ass it.
Inside the class room she expects you to perform well, or at the very least the best o your abilities. Because most students only interact with her in a class room setting think she's rude or cold but if you go to her and talk to her during office hours she is willing to help. If you show up to class having not done the reading she'll show no pity.
This professor is by far the worst I've had this year. The guidelines for important assignments were non-existent, and her exams were poorly written. Her lecture is either her reading off slides or just saying whatever is on her mind, usually political. For the last half she doesn't even lecture, and all you have is group presentations.
Awful! This professor didn't care at all abou tthe course and was a very hard grader. Instructions were never clear and she gave NO feedback! awful awful, would never take a course with this professor again. If you have this professor... drop the course
Dr. Yang is an amazing professor! She is good at telling you where you messed up and need to improve, but also, she will tell you where you are doing well. Her tests and quizzes are hard, but honestly, if anyone else taught this class it would be ten times worse. She is one of the best professors I've had so far!
Does NOT care about the students. When I had a question or was struggling with something she would tell me to go see the tutor. Horrible at explaining things, lectures too fast, barely anytime to learn content before jumping to the next thing, rude, will NOT be taking this class again or any class taught by her for that matter. Awful proffesor
Heard lots of bad things about this professor -- and they were all right. Stopped class several times to tell everyone how they lost their compassion and humanity somehow before college. Gave tests back by grade so everyone knew who failed. Was rude and unhelpful when asked questions. Worst class and professor I've had in three years of school.
Tips for getting a good grade in this class 1.) For exam essays write as many pages you can, the more the better, do more than the minimum for an A!. 2.) Attend Class 3.) Chime in when she asks a question in class, the longer your answer, the better. She's cool, but she does expect you to know your stuff. If you aren't lazy, you will get an A.
Dr. Yang is an extremely talented, inspiring and knowledgeable professor. Everything you will learn and be tested on comes from the book, so READ and LISTEN. She has a lot of first hand experience and will give many examples to course material. 4 exams, 1 presentation with a partner and a 10 page paper.
I would not take this course online. I was expecting this course to be a hybrid situation, but it wasn't, and this class is the hardest class I have ever taken. Whenever I would ask for help, she never gave me an explanation and made me feel dumb for asking. Wouldn't give help, just gave tutor name. Quizzes didn't give correct answer when ur wrong.
when you are failing the class she will call you slow in front of the whole class. She made 4 people cry this semester. When you ask for help she will not help and just say "you know, look in book". She will give extra points to only a select few people in the class. She just plays a video all hour and never stays long enough to ask questions.
This professor is absolutely terrible. She is incredibly rude, gives little to no explanation for what she expects on essays and exams, provides no study guide for any of the material, and is absolutely awful at communicating and teaching. Do not take a class with her.
I didn't learn anything from this class. First, the class was listed as in-person and I only found out on the first day that it was a web course. Second, the final grade was based entirely on a few tests and quizzes. The course gave me no real interest in the subject and was really an afterthought. Professor Yang seemed to not enjoy teaching.
This is my second time taking SO 208. The first time I took it I had COVID for the first several weeks, so I did poorly. This time around I am really enjoying the class. It isn't a hard class as long as you apply yourself and study. If you don't put in any effort then you can't expect to pass. Renxin Yang is a good professor, one of the few at NMU.
Doesn't read or respond to emails, does not lecture, quizzes aren't based on in class materials, no rubrics for papers or projects, spend class time ranting or promoting her own books/art. You will spend every class period "discussing" questions but you will only be assigned one question and she will not tell you the correct answer.
My professor's lectures were pre-recorded videos from three years ago, with hardly any assigned homework. Instead, we had frequent quizzes and exams on topics never discussed in class. The professor wasn't helpful, hard to reach, and unresponsive. One week, I missed an unannounced exam due to illness. I don't recommend taking a class with her.
Incredibly unclear about what is expected. Seems as though she's "given up" and should probably have retired years ago.
The class is challenging, but Dr. Yang is a fair professor. The quizzes and exams are tough, but attending lectures and using resources like the textbook and unstuckstudy can really help. Overall, a rewarding experience if you're willing to put in the work.
I took many of her classes through the years. I especially loved the Study of Happiness, it was philosophy-heavy. The work is challenging but rewarding.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.14 avg changeRatings by Course
SO208282308
5.0
(2)HP222C
5.0
(1)SO208308
4.0
(1)HP
4.0
(1)HP159TAICHI
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
SO01
5.0
STATS208
5.0
SO208
4.1
SO100
4.0
SOCIOLOGY
4.0