Heather Johnson - Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA

Professor: Heather Johnson

Department: Sociology

College: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class because I heard it was an easy A . The material is so easy that it's a joke but you lose 20 points on an exam for not using one of her key words. She specifically tells you to use your own words then makes major deductions when you don't use hers. Grading is absurdly harsh and inconsistent and she loves the sound of her own voice

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Teaches her very personalized version of sociology. I came out of this intro course feeling like I only knew some of the basics of sociology. She makes you read her published book which I didn't think is relevant to an intro level course, and grading on the essays was all over the place with no solid rubric or explanations.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Johnson has an unorthodox approach for her lectures. She's very repetitive, and it can get boring at times. You have to pay attention to her lectures because there are key words you need to mention for the exam, or you'll do poorly. Go to recitation or they will take off points.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I didn't know what sociology was before taking this class but now I'm glad I took it. Her lectures are repetitive but if you pay attention to what she repeats, you'll know exactly what is on the exams. TAs grade everything in the course and they will make sure you are participating. Don't skip recitation or lectures- attendance may be taken.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Heather is a cool woman, but she made sociology 001 so much harder this year than it has been in the past. Grading is also very dependent on your TA and how much they like you- grades were all over the place. You will not do well on the open ended in class essays if you don't pay attention in class to the very specific things she wants included.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I came in excited and wanting to learn sociology (no sarcasm), but her class just made me not want to take another sociology class. She seems like a nice person, but her lectures are really repetitive. TA's grade everything but papers and midterms don't have much feedback despite having major points marked off. Quantity quality here for tests.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SSP001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class! Heather is passionate about sociology and the papers were enjoyable to write. I have heard from other students that the grading is hard. I received an A in this class because I did everything expected of me. She spends a lot of time outlining her expectations. Follow them closely and you'll be fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very full of herself, and doesn't teach sociology, but her own personal version of sociology. Pieces together definitions and concepts from her own subjective interpretation--information that cannot be found anywhere else. No Coursesite and unfair grading practices. Should have been an easy, interesting class, but crushed my passion for sociology.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is a great teacher! Always willing to go above and beyond to help. She is a very caring professor. Doctor Johnson is a difficult grader but if you talk to her, she's more than willing to give suggestions.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SSP323
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Honestly don't know what the other reviewers are saying...I've taken 3 classes with Heather, and she is the best. Very busy, but incredibly understanding and always there if you need her. Breaks down sociological concepts easily, though there is a bit of repetition and unclear writing guidelines. Not the typical "college" lecture class. Take her.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SSP001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is pretty funny which is great but you won't learn much Sociology in this class. I know a lot of people were taking this since they were Pre-Med but this is not helpful. She is a very intense grader and this semester the TA's were more laid back than she would have been which is great, but that might not happen again since she got mad at them.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SSP160
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She does not know how to teach and doesn't even know much about sociology herself. She mostly talks about herself and her life in class. She just talks about the same topic over and over again. Exams are easy but the grading is harsh for some odd reason. TAs are more or less like her too so recitations are useless but they are required.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOC400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

At the grad level this professor can be hard to deal with. She appears helpful and concerned, but when times get tough she can be very rude and downright nasty. Several students in my cohort were taken off-guard by her. You can learn a lot in her class, but she expects you to conform to her ideological beliefs and can be very cold-hearted.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Her classes are largely overrated. She is often awkward/difficult to read and has "favorites". Classes are discussion based, but in a medium/large class you spend so much time going "round the room" that you lose the time you need to bring everything back together and make sense of the fragmented discussion you just had as a class. Unproductive!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SSP103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! Absolutely love her and the class. She makes you want to learn and do well. She sets high expectations but you feel great once you reach them. I would love to have her for all my classes!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SSP355
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She's very hyper and a bit annoying. Class is pretty much discussion based which can be interesting and at other times awkward and tense. Grading is very harsh. She has extremely high expectations. It's not impossible to do well but you're going to have to work very hard and be damn there a scholar in the material already.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SSP461
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had her for Soc Theory and Soc of Urban Education& Public Policy. She is intimidating in the beginning and strict, but her classes were the most interesting I've had. She pushes you but is very kind and intelligent. Show her respect and she will do the same. I learned a LOT in this class. Her life and achievements are amazing.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOC355
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Sociology of Education was one of the best courses I've ever taken in my college career. I recommend taking any class with Johnson, if you enjoy thinking critcally and pushing yourself.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best! Johnson really knows her subject, and she also cares about her students. In a huge lecture, she made an effort to contact those who were consistently in class and making an effort - though you barely need to do anything for an A here. Content is interesting and relates to everyone's lives. Definitely take this! She's great!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOC001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The worst class I've taken in a long time. Interesting concepts but she beats them down with repetition. TA's responsible for most of the grading. Wierd grading with set low averages on tests. Easy concepts but you have to word them perfectly. Would not recommend.