Doug Heckathorn - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Professor: Doug Heckathorn

Department: Sociology

College: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC2460
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Heckathorn is AMAZING! He's monotone so it's easy to zone out, but the slides are posted. You can tell he really knows what he's talking about (apparently actually a big deal in his field) and his anecdotes during lecture are the best. A lot of readings, but you can figure out which parts you really need to read based on lecture and section.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOC2460
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

You can tell he really cares about his research and the topics he covers. So knowledgeable on current issues. A LOT OF READING. It's hard to know what to study for, but tests are lecture-heavy, so don't fall asleep -which can happen easily.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC2460
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Monotone at times, but the interesting anecdotes/course materials more than make up for it

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC246
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is nice enough when you ask him questions after class. However, this is cancelled out by the fact he ignores your emails! I get the impression that he is too involved in research to pay attention to students. Also the TA's are incompetent. Don't take this class. Lots of work, horrid texts, dull professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC246
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Heckathorn is a good professor with great stories and a wealth of knowledge.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOC246
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Cares about sudents and passionate about his line of work (injection drug user community research). Has had so many interesting experiences/stories, just wish he had told them in a more enthusiastic/dynamic way. During lecture he can be monotone, but he's more engaging if you ask him a question. Lots of people skip, which is sad. Really nice guy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC246
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I learned so much in this class and everything was interesting. I thought this class would be about how drugs affect the body, but it's really more about how drugs affect society, hence the course title. There was a lot of reading, but it is worth doing. I learned the truth about so many popular misconceptions regarding drugs and def recommend this

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great Prof, one of my favorites!!!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOC246
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Drugs and society should have been an interesting subject... unfortunately Heckathorn made it quite dull, and easy to skip. The professor kept a monotone voice throughout his lectures, let his TAs do all the work, and spoke in a low voice while refusing to use a microphone. The lack of online material and large, expensive booklist made it a drag.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOC207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

seems like such a nice guy, on the days that hes got an interesting topic, you almost dont want to leave class, on the days its not, its nap worthy. Get through the books on your own, dont expect too much discussion, and pay close attention because both the midterm and the final are ALL BOOK essay questions. but overall a good experience was had.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I enjoyed the course. Interesting lectures. Well-rounded and applicable course material. Your grade will be better if you commit yourself to reading the books.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Problems of Contemporary Society. Good survey course that covers alot of basic problems in modern America: drugs, poverty, gang violence. He ran a needle exchange clinic in New Haven CT, so he has alot of valid real world experience from which to draw.