SOCIOL 158
Urban Sociology
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Description and analysis of urbanization and urbanism in the U.S. and world. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2025 - I took urban sociology with Professor Herring in the fall of 2025, and honestly, I really enjoyed his class. Workload is pretty reasonable and doable. Each week, there will be a good amount of readings assigned that are due prior to attending the lecture to better understand certain topics that are being discussed in class. For my class, our readings were due before the lecture, and there will be a few prompts that you choose from to answer. For each prompt, you have to write at least one paragraph and state specific quotes and page numbers from the article. These prompts are being graded by the TA (mine was a tough grader), but ultimately, the TAs and the professor are very helpful and accommodating. Attendance for the discussion section is MANDATORY and is graded. Attendance for the lecture is also mandatory; however, he will give you an opportunity to make up for lecture attendance if you can not make it. For example, he will add an additional 5% to the final research essay paper. Moving on to the final and midterm, there is no exam; however, for the midterm, you will be assigned an essay prompt to answer, and for the final, there is a research paper that you will work on throughout the quarter. Very doable and manageable. The midterm exam is worth 30% of your grade, and the final is worth 40% of your grade. No textbook needed, he will provide all the readings in PDF. If you want to earn an A, then you must put in the work and do your best. Go to office hours, ask questions and stay on top of your readings. If I could take this class again, I tottaly would. Good luck!!!!
Fall 2025 - I took urban sociology with Professor Herring in the fall of 2025, and honestly, I really enjoyed his class. Workload is pretty reasonable and doable. Each week, there will be a good amount of readings assigned that are due prior to attending the lecture to better understand certain topics that are being discussed in class. For my class, our readings were due before the lecture, and there will be a few prompts that you choose from to answer. For each prompt, you have to write at least one paragraph and state specific quotes and page numbers from the article. These prompts are being graded by the TA (mine was a tough grader), but ultimately, the TAs and the professor are very helpful and accommodating. Attendance for the discussion section is MANDATORY and is graded. Attendance for the lecture is also mandatory; however, he will give you an opportunity to make up for lecture attendance if you can not make it. For example, he will add an additional 5% to the final research essay paper. Moving on to the final and midterm, there is no exam; however, for the midterm, you will be assigned an essay prompt to answer, and for the final, there is a research paper that you will work on throughout the quarter. Very doable and manageable. The midterm exam is worth 30% of your grade, and the final is worth 40% of your grade. No textbook needed, he will provide all the readings in PDF. If you want to earn an A, then you must put in the work and do your best. Go to office hours, ask questions and stay on top of your readings. If I could take this class again, I tottaly would. Good luck!!!!
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Professor Johnson was incredibly accommodating in light of all that was happening during Fall 2020 (coronavirus, elections, etc.). He was very clear with his requirements and grading rubric. Much of why this class is so great is likely because he is a recent grad student himself and clearly emphasizes with our plight. Additionally, I really enjoyed learning about all the different urban planning concepts regarding New York, Chicago, and LA. The class required approximately 5 short MC quizzes, 5 short written assignments responding to a forum prompt, 1 midterm, 1 group essay, and 1 final. If you watch the lectures attentively and skim the readings you should be fine with all of these. The TA Taylor Aquino was especially awesome and made learning really fun. Please take her if you have the chance.
Fall 2020 - Professor Johnson was incredibly accommodating in light of all that was happening during Fall 2020 (coronavirus, elections, etc.). He was very clear with his requirements and grading rubric. Much of why this class is so great is likely because he is a recent grad student himself and clearly emphasizes with our plight. Additionally, I really enjoyed learning about all the different urban planning concepts regarding New York, Chicago, and LA. The class required approximately 5 short MC quizzes, 5 short written assignments responding to a forum prompt, 1 midterm, 1 group essay, and 1 final. If you watch the lectures attentively and skim the readings you should be fine with all of these. The TA Taylor Aquino was especially awesome and made learning really fun. Please take her if you have the chance.
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