Talks about himself at least once every lecture, brags about how he came from the ghetto and now has a PhD. Had the nerve to tell us to know his life story because we might be tested on it. EASY CLASS. I got an A+ and didn't do the readings. Interesting subject matter, just taught poorly.

Interesting topics. Professor Rios is a great speaker. He really made me think about the world around me.

Class was interesting, He's funny but a bit of a flake. We wrote a paper, but over all its an easy class.

Very fun/informative class. Really brings a lot of things into perspective and makes you analyze the world you live in. You have to give the guy respect, he came from a difficult past and has turned his life around. His stories are not for entertainment, they are relevant to the concepts in class. He always asks for students' input as well.

Rios is a good Professor. He knows his stuff and is very clear and fair. Literally goes out of his way to make sure everyone passes his class. Be careful of the TAs though. I felt like some were very incompetent.

Awesome professor. Knows what he is talking about, and knows what to say when people have questions. Definitely recommend this professor for Soc 1.

Great professor. hopefully you don't have to take class at 8am. any other time he would rock. T.A.'s are useless. the guy is approachable. talk to him directly.

It's unfair to rate a professor's competence in such a large and general class like Soc1. If you think he's full of himself, then you're seriously lacking in humor/ sarcasm receptors. Now, grading is divided into 5 parts, 20% ea assign. Yes, attendance is 20%. But you're paying for this right? That 20% is a freebie.

Rios is an amazing professor. He is very passionate about his work. Very intellectual and funny guy. 5 parts to class 20%, attendance, participation, midterm, online responses and final. Lots of reading, textbooks are required for online responses and class "reflections". Likes hearing out perspective. Highly recommend him :)

He is so passionate and helpful! We had guest speakers in class at least once a week including teenage juvenile delinquents, a cop, etc. Really encouraging and is NOT tricking you and wants you to do well!

Professor Rios is one of the best instructors that ive had at UCSB. He is hilarious, and really laid back. Online discussions, no quizzes, midterm was fairly easy and the final is a presentation OR a ten page paper. Your choice, BUT the presentation is amazingly easy. Gives extra credit opportunities and is very humble :)

boring class to take at 8am. all he talks about is poverty, didn't really address other aspects of sociology. Interesting guy, fun class, but i found the topics to be bland and boring.

AMAZING PROFESSOR!!! Really funny and is a positive role model. Keeps the class very interesting, guest speakers and movies. T.A's were reasonable and on top of their game. I recommend him to all Sociology majors.

He is Such an inspiration especially because he was one of the kids who went to Juvie that we read. He is so cool& truly cares about the kids he is helping and especially his students! Take this class to be able to learn A LOT while sitting back and soaking up all he has to say. Not much is required of his students.Best senioritus class by far!

One of the most interesting classes I have ever taken. Requires a lot of writing. You must submit responses to the reading online everyday before class. One in-class midterm, one 10 page research paper, and a take home final (or optional in-class presentation). Classes were always engaging and fun. Highly recommended!

Awesome professor! You have to submit logs each week, there is a midterm, a final paper, and a presentation or take-home final. Very interesting class and as long as you go to class you will do fine!! totally recommend taking all his classes!

Very nice person who tries to make class interesting. There is a big project in which you choose a field site in the community and study people in the setting. For winter 2012, we had to relate it to justice. Be prepared to do a lot of work for this project. Otherwise, pulling off a B in the class was pretty easy as long as you put in the effort.

My favorite teacher at UCSB by far. Class is not mandatory, however going to lectures is EXTREMELY helpful. If you go to lectures, pay attention, do the readings, and go to office hours as needed, you will do great! He is always willing to help students understand the material and is a very nice guy. I would definitely recommend taking Dr. Rios!

Pretty cool teacher, defnitely biased against police officers. Went around before class and talked to students. Easy Class, just do the work.

Professor Rios made this class super interesting. He knows a lot about this stuff and has a passion for it. He gives you great study guides for the midterm and final, which are rather easy if you pay attention. He is a great teacher overall and one of my favorites thus far at UCSB. He is also so so hot, like damn!!!

Rios is great! hes down to earth and makes learning the material very engaging. Thought about being a soc major just because of his class. first office hours that i ever went to and he was very nice and encouraging. allowed page of notes for free response tests which was nice. i also had an amazing ta for this class!

Rios is a great guy who likes to interact with his students. The readings he assign are a little repetitive but they are easy reads. He allows a cheat sheet for his short answer midterm and final. The films he shows in class are extremely interesting and thought provoking. You can easily get an A in this class if you try!

I LOVED his class. Was in his honors section, he's so friendly and approachable. He makes concepts easy to grasp and relatable to everyday life. His own story is inspirational. It's clear he really connects with students. My favorite class I've taken at UCSB. Essay midterm and final. Allows cheat sheets but I didn't need them to get an A

Absolutely loved this class. My favorite class by far. Professor Rios is super chill, clear lectures, posts them online sometimes. Readings aren't too bad. Only one midterm, but he allows one whole page of info, anything you want on it. HIGHLY recommend taking this class. So rewarding.

Rios makes sociology so interesting! He is a good speaker and is young, so he is easy to relate to and makes a lot of jokes referring to our generation. I actually enjoy attending this class, although it is mandatory with the iClicker points. He makes the class pretty easy, and if you do the work (which is not much) you can get the grade you want.

This class was very interesting. Rios is a wonderful professor that wants you to succeed. You should absolutely take this class

It's hard not to become passionate about Juvenile Justice after taking Dr. Rios' course. His enthusiasm for the subject and his personal experiences add an element to the class that is as informative as it is interesting and entertaining. I'd recommend taking at least one course with Dr. Rios during your time at UCSB. He's the best!

Super chill Professor. Super chill class. His lectures are eye-opening and gives a different perspective to the class as a whole. Easily relatable topics. Def recommend to anyone who wants to find some new inspiration

Very large class but very interesting. Dr. Rios is on the younger side so he is pretty cool and is very outgoing and engaging with the students. He's funny and keeps lectures interesting. A lot of reading and homework is the only downside, but relative easy assignments. Easy to get an A. Also lots of extra credit opportunities.

This was by far my favorite Soc class. Dr. Rios is passionate and encourages class discussions. The material is interesting and relevant. He also brings in guest speakers and shows movies. The work was very manageable: short reading responses, a midterm and a final paper and presentation. I would highly recommend this class to anyone!

The class was interesting at times, but majority of the time i felt like the lectures were really pointless. My TA wasn't very helpful at explaining in Section either. The class is fairly easy and he gives you want you need to succeed. Overall easy class with some interesting material. GET A GOOD TA

MY FAVORITE PROFESSOR SO FAR. The readings are very important and interesting, so make sure you do the reading. The class is easy and the material is very fun to learn. I had a good TA too.

Rios is one of the best professors at UCSB!!! I'm not even a soc major and I loved the class! He makes the class very interesting and before class he always talks to the students! He really cares about his students and the night before our midterm, even sat with some of his students to help them! Best professor ever! Make sure you soc 1 with him!!

One of my favorite courses here at UCSB. Easy A as long as you attend class and keep up with the assignments. Assignments include weekly reading logs, midterm, paper, and final presentation or take-home final.

One of the best professors I've had so far at UCSB. Attendance is mandatory because there is iclicker. There are weekly assignments, which are all easy, and most of the reading is interesting. His class made me love soc enough to switch my major. If you get the chance, take a Sociology class with him!

Dr. Rios is a great professor who is passionate about what he does. I loved this class, it truly opens up your eyes and makes you realize the injustices that youth face. Rios is an easy going professor, who makes going to class fun and interesting!!

Really interesting&fav professor. Uses iclicker, reading is necessary since you need to submit a response before every class, annoying but helpful. Have to refer to readings on the midterm&final. Written but gives you cheat sheet. Really wants you to pass class. TA (Mario G) was very chill, as long as you wrote what he went over, guaranteed A.

Great Professor! Get him if you can! Class was eye-opening, it made me think about things I never really thought about. It also doesn't hurt that he is young & attractive.

AMAZING professor. So inspiring and adorable. A lot of readings but they're all interesting, I never read them fully only enough to do the annoying hmwk assignments based on readings every lecture day. Know the jist of the readings and the midterm and final can be bshtted. Got an A- with barely any effort cuz his class is that easy.

Love this class. Opened up my perspective to local, global, and demographic problems. Inspired me to declare soc as a major. Midterms and final are essay q's. Go to class because it's actually interesting, but if you have to miss a couple lecture's you can definitely still get an A.

Gives you the tools to understand the world around you.

Rios is the best professor by far that i have had at UCSB. HE really connects with the students and brings current issues into his lectures and relates them to sociological concepts

I absolutely love Professor Rios! He is my favorite here at UCSB! He is very passionate about what he teaches, super nice during office hours, and very funny. Everyone should definitely take a class with him!

Awesome professor! Recommend this class. One needs to have an open mind when taking this class because you will really learn and if you don't have an open mind some things may seem personal. LOVED THIS CLASS! One midterm and one final. He really cares about his students and final is only worth 15% of grade :)

Never taken any soc classes in the past, he was the first one for me. And really love him! Be sure to be open minded for the class, sometimes the materials get a bit tough and intense, but don't take it personal. And iClickers! LOTS of reading and have reflection paragraph writings every night before lectures

Easiest class I have taken at UCSB. There are weekly responses which make sure you do the reading but it is very easy. Midterm and Final were much easier than I had expected. Easy A!

Would 100% take SOC1 again with Rios. Great professor, makes lectures feel not long at all, and makes everything relate back to the real world and what is going on today. Super friendly guy and offers extra credit. Iclicker points during class, and midterm and final combined are only 35% of your grade. Do the assignments and pass with flying colors

If it wasn't for the iClicker, I would not come to class. Rios is so incredibly inspiring and nice but he is also incredibly monotone to the point where I always find myself leaving 45 minutes in. Sometimes intense discussion occurs during lecture which I find pretty amusing. Other than that, wish he would be less monotone and more exciting.

Professor Rios was amazing! His lectures are almost always interesting and I actually looked forward to attending his class. He sometimes posts lectures online, but I wouldn't rely on that. And there are (easy) iClicker questions pretty much every lecture. Only tests were the midterm and final, but has a few simple projects. Would deff take again.

Rios is human goals.

Professor Rios was an amazing professor to have the opportunity to take a class with. He is very adamant about social justice, and very very experienced in his line of research and expertise. He had very inspirational lectures and guest speakers. Concept-heavy class, reading isn't necessary but would help for tests! GREAT, KIND, CARING GUY!!!

Dr. Rios is amazing. Very caring guy and very personable. He wants to connect to his students. The class is very easy, but it is also engaging and interesting. GREAT professor. I will for sure take any class taught by him.

Great professor! He is really passionate and is always there for help if needed. Reading responses each week and lets you have a page of notes for midterm and final. Lots of reading, but concepts were interesting. iclicker every day so you have to go to class!

GREAT PROF! Took him my first quarter at UCSB and looked forward to class everyday. There are iclicker points but sometimes he doesnt count them. Show up to class and participate. Try to show up to section but its not really mandatory. Some TA's take attendance but mine forgot a couple times. I think this is the easiest class I took. Easier than HS

Dr Rios is a good professor and the class has thought-provoking texts, but he isn't all that interesting. The class seems geared for people who aren't very curious/thoughtful about the social world. That being said, I still really enjoyed the class.

Rios is so passionate about teaching this course and he genuinely cares about his students. The class was really easy. You just have to do responses and weekly assignments based on the textbooks. The midterm and final is based on the reading so make sure to do that.

This class was easily the best class I have ever taken.

A super easy class but also very interesting and thought provoking. Throughout the quarter the were numerous opportunities for extra credit, but all you really have to do to get a good grade is do the readings and the weekly responses. The only thing is that section participation, not attendance is 25% of your grade.

This class was a breeze. Honestly, Rios is an amazing professor, as well as a fantastic person in general. The class is super interesting if you enjoy humanities, yet, you HAVE to do the readings. Midterm and final require you to know and analyze the readings. You post every few days about the readings for credit. Overall, I miss the class tbh.

I learned how to use my sociological imagination. I now see my world very differently than before.

Definitely one of the best professors I've had here. He's so passionate and interesting. His class was one of the reasons why I switched to Sociology. I look forward to taking other classes he teaches!

Professor Rios has been my favorite professor thus far. I was in the honors section so I got to know him on a personal level and he's extremely enthusiastic and inspirational. He didn't try to be intimidating at all and always insisted that he learns as much from his students as they learn from him. He truly cares about his students!

My best prof in UCSB! Awesome, fun and easy.

This has by far been my favorite class. Midterm and final are straightforward, I went to the reviews my TA held. I also did about 90% of the readings which was not too much but the material was kinda hard to understand. Still a great class, and I think he's a great prof.

Enthusiastic about teaching. Pretty straight forward. Go to class and understand concepts and you will do well.

I cannot say enough about Rios. Best prof I have ever had and I will remember him for the rest of my life. He changed my idea of sociology, and I've never looked forward to going to lecture so much. He's is amazing. So smart, inspirational and just a stand-up guy.

Best teacher I've ever had and such an interesting class! Suprisingly I actually wanted to go to lecture. Definite must!

Gives you the questions before the midterm and the topics before the final! Allows you to use a cheat sheet - very interesting class! Professor Rios allowed me to view things in a different perspective. Reading wasn't too bad, but sometimes annoying. Easy A overall.

By far the best professor I've ever had at UCSB. Really knows his stuff, is passionate, and really wants to help you learn it as well. He is the only professor where I have shown up to every class and actually paid attention the entire time. Would definitely recommend if there is a class with him.

Midterm, final & a paper. he let's you take a cheat sheet for the short answer exams. Super flexible on your paper topic. Very passionate & respected in his studies. Allows 3 absences.

Rios is an amazing professor, not only is he funny but his life story is inspriring. This was the one class I was looking forward to going to every day. He helps you prepare for the midterm and final very well and is willing to answer any questions. He is respected and genuinely cares for his students success in life. Also, Bertin is the best TA!

Professor Rios is great. He listens to student feedback and brings in people with amazing life experiences to share their stories. Mario the TA is fire.

Rios really knows what hes talking about and is a great speaker. Theres disc posts every week a takehome midterm and final and a final paper. if you know what youre doing and turn in good work youll be fine. The only thing id critique is the horrible communication. I got my final grade but only the paper and midterm were graded on GS

Professor Rios is incredibly understanding and is an amazing lecturer. I have a lot of respect for him as a person but I took off a star as he is awful at communicating; no response to emails, miscalculated grades, and unclear grading criteria. Easy class, great professor but poor communication.

I have never written a RMP post until meeting Dr. Rios. He's the most inspirational professors I have ever met. Not only is his past so moving, but he makes such an effort to connect to his students, something rare especially post pandemic. I feel like I have learned so much intrinsically rather than just going through the motions of the course.

One of my favorite professors here at UCSB. He is incredibly understanding and will help you work through concepts that you are not sure about. His lectures feel inspiring, and the speakers he brings inform us of current-day issues in the system, which I hadn't known about. The workload is manageable, participation does matter, so make sure to go.

This is a pretty heavy class with quite a few assignments, like weekly readings and assignments that lead up to your final research project. It is a research class, so it can get overwhelming and heavy, but it is very doable! He's very approachable inside and outside of class, making it easier to get feedback. I highly recommend him!