2.0

Richard Sweeney

Social Science - Modesto Junior College

2.0
Quality
3.4
Difficulty
N/A
Would Retake
93
Reviews
2.0
Quality
3.4
Difficulty
1.9
Helpful
2.1
Clarity

N/A

Would Retake

93

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

10

4

5

3

14

2

23

1

41

What Students Say

so we did see the tail end of some amazing lectures, but not from sir sweeney

SOCIO101 - 1.0 rating

I really enjoyed lectures and the slides from his personal travels around the world

SOCIO101 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

65% confidence
Based on 5 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
A- (1)
C (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(1)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 1
A-: 1
C: 1
A: 1
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.15 avg change
Jul
Dec
Mar
May
Oct
Mar
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

SOCIO101102

5.0

(1)

SOCI101

3.0

(1)

SOCIO102

2.8

(4)

101

2.5

(2)

SOCIOLOGY101

2.2

(11)
+9 more courses
Difficulty by Course

SOCIO1

5.0

SCOIO101

5.0

SOCIOLOGY

4.0

SOCIOLOGY101

3.8

SOC101

3.7

Reviews (93)
2.0
2.0
SOCIO101
Jun 23, 2003

No Comments

1.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Jul 30, 2003

you will do poorly on written assignments. he's insatiable. tests are multiple choice hell. this class was preceeded by another socio class that had a better prof. so we did see the tail end of some amazing lectures, but not from sir sweeney.

5.0
2.0
SOCIO101
Aug 11, 2003

I really enjoyed lectures and the slides from his personal travels around the world.

1.0
1.0
SOCIO101
Dec 16, 2003

one word to describe him "boring". one word to describe the subject "awesome". Don't let him steer you away from sociology. I went to half the lectures, read, and got a "B". I guess it's a fair trade, he doesn't take role e

2.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Dec 25, 2003

Picked this course because I thought it would be fun but Sweeney was extremely boring.

1.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Feb 18, 2004

Sweeney is very boring. The material that he has you read really has nothing to do with his lectures. Not an easy class!!!

4.0
2.0
SOCIO101
Apr 9, 2004

you'll love his interesting slides that are shown daily, its like a kick-back class in a sense. Just study notes and Book to do well on tests. Writing assingments:just don't make them short make them as long as posible and all will be good CONTENT CONTENT

1.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Apr 19, 2004

his lectures has nothing to do with any of the material he makes you read. all he does is show slides of places hes been in his life. this class gives boring a good name

3.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Aug 18, 2004

Read the text. Just because he doesn't cover an issue in lecture doesn't mean it isn't going to be on the exam.

2.0
4.0
SOC101
Sep 29, 2004

His lectures have nothing to do with any of the material he makes you read. all he does is show slides of places he has been in his life. This class is one of the worst i've ever taken. Out of all the classes i've taken this was my first "C" !!

2.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Grade: A+
Nov 23, 2004

he puts you to sleep and really doesnt talk about aything that is of importance.

2.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Dec 1, 2004

WORST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD. GAVE ME MY FIRST "C" IN TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE AND RUINED MY GPA FOR THE NURSING PROGRAM. TAKE ANOTHER PROFESSOR OR DONT TAKE AT ALL.

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Dec 15, 2004

The absolute worst teacher ever. All he does is show slides of his 10 yr 3rd world vacation and BS about nothing, then gives a test on the text, which he never discusses. Super boring. I hope you like uninteresting grainy slides of 3rd world countries. Have to write 3 BS papers about nothing too. F

1.0
3.0
SOC101
Dec 20, 2004

very boring, needs to retire already!

5.0
5.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Jan 4, 2005

Mr. Sweeney is the bomb! The only people who didn't like him are those who didn't study! He is knowledgable, and because of his influence, I changed my major to sociology! You have to see things from a broader view to like sociology!

2.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Jun 8, 2005

Horrible!!People always talk about how interesting sociology is, but if you take sweeney you won't ever want to hear anything about the subject!

1.0
4.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Jul 13, 2005

Sweeney's is the first class I've ever slept through in my entire life! All he does is "blah,blah,blah" about his 30 year old fading pictures. If you need a nightly nap then take his class because you won't miss any information worth talking about. And, oh ya, he provides a cool, dark environment free of charge!

1.0
4.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Jul 18, 2005

He was the worst teacher i have ever had. it was a waste of money to even enroll in his class he didn't teach on the test material but instead taught about his boring traveling. Most people like sociology but i was dissapointed to have a sorry teacher.

1.0
1.0
SOCIO101
Grade: A-
Jul 21, 2005

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. I wake up @the end of class and wipe the drool off the side of my mouth.

1.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Aug 14, 2005

No Comments

4.0
3.0
101
Aug 20, 2005

He is a good professor.

3.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Aug 24, 2005

He loves his slide shows, and his overhead. I passed his class, but i couldnt tell you what I learned. Take him Mid-morning, I took another class of his at a 7am slot, his monotone voice practically put me to sleep every MWF.

1.0
2.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Grade: C
Sep 1, 2005

BORING!!! He does love his slideshows. That's all I remember from that class... besides constantly staring at the clock!!!

1.0
5.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Nov 7, 2005

The worst teacher in the history of teaching! He's old, almost ready to retire and could care less about if you fail. He has been there for years and nobody has anything good to say about him 'cause there is nothing good to say. He does not teach what is on the test. Just tells us about his travels. SO UNHELPFUL! No curve.

1.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Grade: A
Nov 8, 2005

No Comments

1.0
4.0
101
Nov 16, 2005

No help at all to students who want help studying for exams. His study guides just say study all lecture and reading materials and be able to define every vocab word.. so in other words EVERYTHING you had ever gone over. On the first exam over half the class did't pass. Don't take him!

1.0
5.0
SOC101
Nov 21, 2005

to all you would-be sociology students, stand clear of sweeney. It broke my heart to get a c in this class, especially since I've gotten an A in every other class I've ever taken. Consider yourself warned. He does not test on what he says he's going to test on.

1.0
4.0
SOCIOLOGY
Nov 28, 2005

No Comments

1.0
3.0
SOCIOLOGY
Nov 30, 2005

he is very boring

1.0
5.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Grade: B-
Dec 1, 2005

All I can remember from his class was his slideshows. I only went to class to see those slideshows. The test was about nothing we learned, and he said he was sorry that he failed me and for me to "try" better next time.

1.0
5.0
SOC101
Dec 12, 2005

HORRIBLE!!!!

5.0
4.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Dec 20, 2005

I had Mr. Sweeney for an instructor. I found the class very interesting, he is a good teacher. He makes you earn your grade.

3.0
1.0
SOCIO102
Dec 25, 2005

Sweeney is tight. Always laughing at his own jokes which arent the least bit funny. Talks with his hands alot.

5.0
1.0
SOCIO102
Jan 5, 2006

Whoever says that this teacher is hard has to be an idiot. Easy A, Just do the work and participate in class and you will get an A

1.0
4.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Feb 3, 2006

The class was terrible and pointless. He was rude and came off as a bitter old man!

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Feb 5, 2006

Bad instructer that did not teach anything, but we say many of his vacation slides. He doesn't test on much else except the book, which he never explained. rediculous. I cant believe he is allowed to teach.

1.0
3.0
SOCIOLOGY102
Mar 16, 2006

he really sucks...half the time i have no idea wut hes talkin bout and his section reviews have nothin to do wit the notes he gives us...and the book he made us buy is useless!!! waste of time and money

2.0
3.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Apr 14, 2006

very bad teacher. everything is from the book, very little from the lectures. he spends the first half of the class talking about the newspaper, and doesn't even relate it to sociology. than pretty much spends the rest of the class showing pictures of his trips. if you are interested in the subject you will be just fine. he makes it boring.

1.0
5.0
SOCIOLOGY
May 8, 2006

I WISH THAT I WOULD HAVE FOUND THIS SITE BEFORE I HAD TAKEN HIM. I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW ACCURATE THESE COMMENTS ARE, TO ANYONE READING THIS THAT HAS NOT TAEN IT LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE IN HERE WHEN WE SAY THAT HE IS ABSOLUTELY NOT A GOOD TEACHER, I MEAN SURE IT IS FUN GOING OVER THE PAPER IN THE MORNING BUT OMG YOU WILL SURELY REGRET TAKING HIM AFTER!!

5.0
1.0
SOCIO101102
May 19, 2006

had as an instruc. for 101 & tele 102. Received an A in both. Stop whining and read assignments, you get what you put into the course. If you expect the teacher to explain the reading assignments to you, then you do not belong in any college level course. But,I do agree he is boring and unexciting, but courses were not challenging.

3.0
3.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Jun 14, 2006

ZzZzZzzz...That's what I have to say. It was an okay class but you better bring a pillow or some coffee. He talks and talks and talks. He was a pretty good teacher but I didn't do well because there was so much information on the finals and midterms to memorize. As long as you do the study guides and read the book you won't have a problem passing.

3.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Jun 24, 2006

He's boring, and he mumbles a lot. I got an F on both the midterm and final, but somehow i passed with a C and got my 3 units....HA HA!

3.0
3.0
SOCIOLOGY101
Jul 18, 2006

I did learn a lot in this class but for the most part it was kind of a snooze. We discussed the day's news and then he lectured for the rest of the class. Plenty of slides but none from the past 10-15 years. He will NOT go over the test and his study guide and the book were useless. I think he's just biding his time until he can retire.

1.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Nov 16, 2006

He is very boring.

2.0
4.0
SOCIO102
Nov 30, 2006

I hated prof. sweeny's class. the midterm and final are almost completly on the chapters in the book, which aren't really talked aobut in class...also there are sites visits which he turned into extra credit, so there's no real point in going to class! Take my advice and don't take socio. 102 from sweeny.

3.0
2.0
SOCIO101
Dec 4, 2006

Not a great teacher, but not bad either. He has some interesting stories about his trips but a lot of the test material is out of the book. The book is well organized and pretty easy to read. As long as you do the reading and show up for tests, you're good to go.

2.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Dec 13, 2006

ZZZZ..... The most boring teacher with monotone voice !!! All he does is talk about his daily trips and then talks about a few stuff on the overhead, which you have to take notes of because it will be on the tests, including all the charts. Very difficult tests! Must read the book on your own cuz he will not go over any chapters in class. good luck

2.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Dec 13, 2006

This was the most boring class I have attended at MJC... His stories are very interesting (2bad that's not what you will be tested on). His lectures aren't very clear and i found the tests to be very hard. If you do not read the book you won't succeed!!!!!

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Dec 20, 2006

Okay everyone.. I highly advise taking a different Sociology teacher. The tests are difficult, you can study and read the book, but the tests will throw you off.. don't take him, you will get confused by his style of teaching.

2.0
5.0
SOC101
Jan 15, 2007

DROP THE CLASS!!!!!!! YOU WILL NOT LEARN ANYTHING, HE ONLY TALKS ABOUT HIS LIFE EXPEREINCES, NOT THE MATERIAL IN THE BOOK!

1.0
3.0
SOCIO102
Feb 6, 2007

This was the worst class I had taken at MJC. He mainly showed slides and talked about himself. I got a A in the class just by reading the textbook. My advice skip class and read instead.

2.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Mar 15, 2007

This was one of the worse classes I have ever taken. The tests are horrible and confusing. I even did the extra credit and still got a D. Do your self a favor and choose an other sociology teacher.

2.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Nov 1, 2007

Well I took Mr. Sweeneys telcourse class and I studied hard. I have never recieved anything lower thatn an A on an essay and he gave me a C. Do yourself a favor and do not sign up for his class. Some of the test questions are from other editions of the book and the rest are confusing! I am a great student and I ended up dropping!

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Nov 14, 2007

Read the comments on him, thought be easy cause some people said your lazy just read and youll get a A! Well i read and i got a F! hes study guide has nothing to do with the test and everyone gets D's and F's on them with 1 or 2 A's. Take him? FINE your just asking for a F on your transcript! =)

4.0
2.0
SOC101
Nov 19, 2007

If you're serious about college and you care about whats going on in the world, this is a great class and Sweeney is an extremely kind, intelligent, unbiased, wise man. You will learn alot from him if you just open up your mind and apply yourself.

3.0
2.0
SOCIO101
Dec 20, 2007

This class is not difficult! I missed two weeks of lectures, never studied from the text or notes, did not do extra credit, and still passed with a C. The tests are NOT difficult (there are only 3!). Highly recommend if you have classes you need to focus more on.

2.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Mar 12, 2008

Although Sweeney is a nice guy... he has the most monotone voice on the planet and his tests have nothing to do with what's in lecture and somewhat to do with the assigned reading. i'd think w=twice before taking socio w/him

2.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Mar 20, 2008

very hard class got a D since he only grades by test scores, and only one extra credit. its hard because there is no other way of making points plus the class is very boring!!! :(

3.0
1.0
SOCIO101
Mar 24, 2008

one word...boring.

2.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Mar 26, 2008

Genuinly nice guy just sooo boring. Lectures have nothing to do with tests. I dont recommend this class.

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Apr 2, 2008

He LITERALLY SUCKS!!!! Attending class is pointless. All he does is talk about other irrelevant subjects not pertaining to sociology. Does not help you AT ALL!!!He is super boring and you will learn NOTHING in his class!! Do Not Take it With him!!!!!

4.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Apr 7, 2008

For this class, you have to read a selected number of chapters a week. There is a test at the end and it includes textbook stuff and stuff from the lecture so you must attend. He provides about 45 points extra credit. All you have to do is read and pay attention.

1.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Jun 7, 2008

No Comments

2.0
3.0
SOC102
Oct 31, 2008

Not a fun class at all. Prepare to listen to randomess, or zone out. Read your book when you go home. Teacher will never talk about the book, but use it for the majority of his tests. Unless your desperate, take the class; if not, find a different teacher.

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Nov 19, 2008

this guy is like yogi bear..he's fat, annnoying boring, he talks about food and you can't understand him. big waste of time

1.0
5.0
SOCIO1
Nov 19, 2008

i'm an honors student and thought that i would take his class and prove people wrong about the professor. i have never received anything below an A and on my first test i got a C. i dropped couldn't afford that on my trascript.

4.0
1.0
SOCIO101
Dec 7, 2008

He is an easy teacher. All you have to do is come to class and do the study guide he posts online. His tests are based on his lectures and study guide, not the book. His lectures are pretty boring but, he is pretty intelligent. He also offers alot of extra credit. STRESS LEVEL: LOW

2.0
3.0
SOC101
Dec 11, 2008

On the first day of the telecourse section the class was packed, during the final, less then 25% of us remained. The class is way too hard for a intro sociology class. His tests are pretty difficult, he is somewhat lax on paper grading and he offers some extra credit. I did well, but had to work too hard at it.

3.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Jan 8, 2009

Class was kinda boring. I wasn't really interested in the history of sociology...I wanted to learn about everyday stuff. I went to class 5 times and got a C. I'm lazy but smart. Don't recommend for people who need to be entertained. Ppl who went to class got a good grade, many test answers are from lectures and reading.

5.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Mar 6, 2009

Everyone complains that he doesnt use the text book during his lectures. Well thats because we need to read those on our own. I found him to be really interesting. Id rather hear stories of other cultures and people through someone who has lived it and seen it, and been to those countries. Than sit and go through the book! If your lazy dont take it

2.0
3.0
MSOCI101
Mar 22, 2009

This man NEEDS to retire he is not only BORING but someone needs to buy him another pair of pants! He has NO personality and very mono-tone. I had to force myself to go to his class everyday. I strongly advise DON'T TAKE HIM! He's very hard on grading. He totally sucks!

1.0
5.0
SOC101
Apr 2, 2009

He grades unfairly and test are too hard. He gives no direction to what to study. i have never had an issue with a teacher before and this is my first horriable incounter with a teacher. Mr. sweeney its time to retire

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Apr 6, 2009

Took his telecourse class, the tests were hard and did not pertain to the videos watched or the chapters read. I was able to get an A in Eng. 101 and he gave me a B on my papers. Don't take his class if you value your GPA

3.0
1.0
SOCIO101
Apr 14, 2009

he's cool, although people say he doesn't use his book on the test i got A minuses on both my tests so far and i studied my book not the lecture notes for my grade, if you fail this class thats just sad... his voice is monotone but he's actually got cool stores and he's pretty interesting. i reccomend him for an easy time =)

5.0
1.0
SOC101
Apr 14, 2009

I REALLY LIKE THIS CLASS. CLASS TIME HE TALKS ABOUT HIS STORIES AND THE PLACES HE'S BEEN AND TIES IT INTO LECTURE, IF YOU READ HE ASSIGNED READING AND TAKES DEFINE YOUR DEFINTIONS YOU WILL DO FINE!!!! EASY A! HE IS VERY HELPFUL IF HE SEES YOU ARE TRYING IN HIS CLASS. MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN TO HIM.

3.0
3.0
SOCIO101
May 10, 2009

For his telecourse just read the book, watch the videos, and study the terms in the back of the chapter. Do these and you will do fine! The papers allowed readers creativity and the tests weren't that hard if you understand the main concepts in the chapter. Understand those and everything falls into place.

1.0
5.0
SOCIO101
Aug 1, 2009

I fought back falling asleep in his class. He is the most BORING teacher EVER! His tests were hard and he made us study a bunch of extra stuff that wasn't even on the test. He either needs to get fired or stick to telecourses. He must be the worst teacher at MJC. Do NOT take him. You will regret it.

2.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Sep 26, 2009

I was really looking forward to the class. I e-mailed him explaining how I was considering majoring in social sciences, and Im looking forward to the material, but my question in the e-mail was plain and simple: Do you offer test study guides? I got an e-mail back from him a week later: "read the syllabus". the end. I read the syllabus twice&nothin

1.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Oct 5, 2009

Do not take! If you'd like to learn sociology from his personal vacations then this is the class for you! He teaches nothing from the text book and then tests from the text book. Worst teacher at mjc by FAR!! He has no idea how to present him self in class, laughing at something thats absolutely not funny. Not a professor to learn from.

2.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Oct 28, 2009

He is the most pathetic excuse for a professor that i have had the misfortune to have met. Irrelevant lectures about himself and his views, and MOSTLY about his own political bias. Do not take unless you enjoy pointless lectures by a man who loves the sound of his own voice. DO NOT TAKE!!

1.0
5.0
SCOIO101
Dec 14, 2009

This is the WORST teacher I have ever taken! He is not helpful at all, does not answer your specific questions, and all he talks about is all the different places he has gone. He puts bogus questions on the test, there are 50 questions and a list of 100 vague words to study off of, and which he calls a study guide. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!

1.0
3.0
CLASSSECT
Apr 15, 2010

He needs to keep his political biases to himself. He repeats whatever he hears on the lame stream media. Likes to bag on any conservative groups or ideas. Funny to have a socialist teaching sociology. he has no proof to back up what he says in class when he is ragging on non liberals. Confront him on something he says and he comes up with some stat

5.0
1.0
SOCIO101
May 2, 2010

This class is pretty easy. All his lectures are online. I never read the text and studied off the exam guide before each test. His lectures are cool pay attention you don't have to take notes and you'll get an A.

1.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Jun 13, 2010

Nice man, but not a satisfactory teacher. The few times I showed up to class he talked about his vacations to foreign countries that had little to no relevance to the mid-term and final exam questions. Don't bother going to class UNLESS there's a test--just read the book thoroughly, do the extra credit, and you should get by with an okay grade.

2.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Jun 14, 2010

Do not take this class. He is a horrible teacher. He only talked about his vacations.

2.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Dec 3, 2010

WORST teacher, cant understand anything in that class 75% of us are failing. Lectures put you to sleep, and has too many details on his websites that 101 students dont care about. He does not teach it like a 101 class. 3 test (hard). 100 study guide questions and like 3 are on actual test. Tricky questions. He needs to retire. AVOID if possible!

3.0
1.0
SOCIO101
Apr 29, 2011

You will get an A if you read the book. Coming to the class helps too because some questions on his tests are from his lectures. There is plenty of extra credit as well. =]

5.0
2.0
SOCIO101
Jul 7, 2011

we know socio is that class everone takes to fill a req & these comments are obviously from people who had no interest in this class other than an easy a.He was a tad boring,but a great person, helpful,resp'd immed to emails,but guess what? you're in college,expect to read a little.quizzes are multiple choice & straightforward IF YOU READ!!!!!

3.0
3.0
SOCI101
Dec 15, 2011

He's an ok professor but, his lectures are boring. i asked onced to see da test we had just taken and he said no, according to him i was hoping that the question were on the final n i would knoe da answer. but over all hes ok. do da extra credit, read da book, n TRY to pay attention.

5.0
3.0
SOCIO101
Mar 20, 2012

Please don't pay attention to the horrible comments, see for yourself. I found this class really interesting and informative. It has "real life" applications, unlike other obligatory classes that I have to take at MJC. Three easy test if you read the book and attend class. Teacher is respectful and knowledgeable.

1.0
3.0
SOCIO101
May 24, 2012

Do not recomend. Lectures are filled with useless stories about past trips he has taken and the test questions are completly irrelevant to the material in the book. He does not go over the tests and will not let you see tests you have already taken. I wanted to discuss my grade with him and he was completly unhelpful.

1.0
4.0
SOCIO101
Oct 25, 2012

BORING. His lectures are stupid and boring.All he talks about are where hes been around the world. hes not helpful. wont tell you what to study. if you ask all hell say is "Everything" What?!

1.0
1.0
SOCIO101
Mar 25, 2013

Great guy over all. Funny at times. Lectures can get a bit boring. Interesting at points. Lectures have nothing to do with tests. Just go over key terms and names and you'll do fine. Plenty of extra credit.

Class Info

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

65% confidence
Based on 5 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
A- (1)
C (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(1)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 1
A-: 1
C: 1
A: 1
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+0.15 avg change
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Ratings by Course

SOCIO101102

5.0

(1)

SOCI101

3.0

(1)

SOCIO102

2.8

(4)

101

2.5

(2)

SOCIOLOGY101

2.2

(11)
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SOCIO1

5.0

SCOIO101

5.0

SOCIOLOGY

4.0

SOCIOLOGY101

3.8

SOC101

3.7

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