Western Kentucky University / G / Stephen B. Groce

Dr. Groce is a great Professor. He has a very good sense of humor and makes class time interesting. Tests are not difficult, but they aren't easy and you will need to study. He does give essay assignments and Dr. Groce does want you to be very in depth with essays, to ensure that you understand context of theories. But overall its great.

Dr. Groce is a jerk. He grades unfairly and he only listens to opinions that are like his own. I constantly received bad grades on my papers, so on our last paper me and a classmate switched papers and put our names on the each others and she ended up getting an A on my paper and I got a C on hers. I will NOT take him for any other Soc classes.

Do not be afraid to take Groce because he is known to be the more difficult professor in the soc dept. He is the best professor they have. This course discusses the sociological thoughts behind religion and it will surely make you think! There is a lot of reading and you do have 10 random pop quizzes over the readings (mostly over the articles). You also must complete a set of journals before each exam and you have a few projects that consist of a 3-5 page paper. We also watch very interesting movies and have guest speakers come and talk to us. His exams can be a little tricky, but they work to serve people who test differently. This course is heavy, but any course you can have by Groce is worth it. Do not slack in his class though or you will not do well. But, he is the best professor I have ever had and I have never learned so much in one class.

I really like Dr. Groce and I have taken several of his classes, but socialization is kind of like the Sociology of Gender class. Sociology of Gender is a better class than Socialization. I felt really bored in this class and I felt that there were a lot of activity days where we wasted time. Group activities are great, but after 20-25 minutes of discussion we just sat there while he visited other groups.

He will let you turn in things late, which is great if you get the flu and are out of school for two weeks (like me.)

There are three tests. Usually 15 MC, 5 Short answer and 1 essay. The essay is to demonstrate your overall knowledge of the subject and being able to bring it all together.

I won't lie any course that you take with Dr. Groce will be a difficult one. In socialization it is imperative that you come to class and recieve all of the handouts he gives. No he does not require a book for this class but he has NUMEROUS articles. He gives 10 random quizzes so ALWAYS BE PREPARED! Although his classes are difficult he is one the of the Best teachers I have encountered. When you leave his class you know you earned your grade!

Theory is not an easy class, but Dr. Groce is amazing at giving examples of everything and truly tries to make sure you understand what he is teaching. He gives a lot of demonstrations and is very funny (always a plus with a teacher). You do need to study for his tests, they are not easy but not overkill. I would highly recommend attending class everyday. If you take anybody-take Dr. Groce.

Groce's class was very hard...he has an annoying habit of giving no constructive criticism on papers and journal entries so you never know how to improve. other than that, this class was great. I learned a lot about myself and society, and i looked forward to going to this class every day. It's a little bit difficult, but I would recommend this to anyone willing to put up the effort. great teacher makes the class interesting and has open discusions in class. there are 2 tests and a final that is all essay. you have to write journal entries every week and random quizzes

Dr. Groce didn't give a lot of notes. Actually it was moderate at first, and there were practically none at the end. BUT that meant that there was nothing to study for tests. His class was very interesting,and there was a lot of discussion and student input in class. You have to write journals (between 20-30). His tests were HARD. And he dropped a bomb on us at the end of the semester with a 5 ESSAY, COMPREHENSIVE FINAL. With all of the other tests he claimed that he used different question styles (multiple choice, matching, essay) so that every one had questions they were good at. But he obviously didn't care about that on the final exam.

He always seems distracted outside of class, and isn't much help if you go to him with concerns.

He's a good teacher, he's just unfair.

Dr. Groce is an alright profressor. He is likeable enough and very fair. Most students love him, but I have not converted. My problems with this course center largely on the teaching style. Most of the course is watching movies and having small group discussions. Little actual teaching is done in the standard style of lecturing, which I felt more of was really needed to give the topics discussed in our small groups a scholarly connection. This doesn't seems to be a problem until it comes time for an exam and he generally gives a crash course over what is to be covered the class before the examine is given. I just didn't get as much as I felt I should have from this class. It really seemed to me that after the history and basic theories on socialization that were covered in the first exam, that it became simply pointing out examples of socialization that occur in daily life with minimal anaylsis.

Most students find this class enjoyable and it is for the most part, unless you are looking for something that is mildly challenging like myself.

The grades were based upon three things; exams, journals and pop quizzes. Three are three exams inclding the final which are made up of three to four sections. The first section is 10 or so multiple choices questions with a few questions that have answers that include "all of the above" or "a and c". The second section changes based upon Dr. Groce's whims. It is generally a matching section or an identication section. The third section is short answer and the forth is an essay that is generally pretty easy. Our class' final as all essay and was something like four or five questions that we chose from what felt like maybe no more than a dozen. Journals were due at three times in which 10 entries were submited per due date in which you simply discuss socialization. I enjoyed this the most as it really allowed me to think critically, examine, and explore socialization. Most of this was based upon class discussions, class readings, and films we watched in class along with discussions of my own socialization. Simply be thoughtful and and do not get overly anecdotal without a point and one will do fine. Lastly, there are the pop quizzes based upon the readings of which there are a lot of. They are available online so there is no book. The readings tend to be long are generally boring and sometimes difficult to digiest. The quizzes themselves are one question and often time simply ask of single sentece or phrase that discribes what the reading was over. I admit to rarely reading the articles and only looked at the title or the first few paragraphs, which generally give the answer he was looking for.

Some class participartion is needed to do activites that resemble show and tell. Some discussions require a little self disclosure, but nothing heavy.

Overall, I would give this course a 7/10, and recommend it to most people.

Dr. Groce is by far the best sociology professor that you could have. He has made me to consider taking several more classes with him, even if they don't go along with my major. He teaches you valuable ideas and considerations of our society that everyone should have in their lives, and he really appreciates his students' opinions. I actually look forward to going to class everyday. His tests can be challenging, but you wouldn't get anything from the course if it was all easy. If you have to take any sociology classes try to take Groce!

DR. groce is a ladys man, man can take him, he will help you 100% in all you do. if you don't talk much, then you my not like his class but if your a big talker then you will love him and the class so take it, and good luck.

If you are a Sociology major and have not taken a course with Groce, you must take one before you graduate. He is the standard to which all professors should be held to. He is not easy, but he is an incredible person with a true, rare passion for Sociology. By the time I am done I will have had Groce five times and have learned more from this man than anyone else in my life. Don't let his thick southern accent fool you-he is extremely intelligent!

Great class-- no text, but articles that are linked on his webpage. Final was all essay. Lots of entertaining activities during class, movies, games, group conversations.

Groce rocks. Best prof. in the department. Class is a lot of work: reading which you must do, 4 written exercise papers, and you MUST study for his exams. I like Groce's exam style which includes short answer, essay, multiple guess, and matching. Go to class, pay attention to the topics, and most of all enjoy being there... do all three of these things and you'll get a good grade!

If you have the choice between Dr. Groce and another professor, take Dr. Groce. He's made every class I've had him for interesting and fun while making sure you learn the material. You'll have three assignments and three sets of journal entries. There's also pop quizzes on the reading that will really help your grade if you do well on them. Its only one question per reading though, so make sure you read and retain! But all the readings are on his website so no more trips to the library to copy articles!

Dr. Groce is hilarious and always tries to make you enjoy his class. He really gets the class involved in the topic you're discussing and makes it bvery interesting so that you won't fall asleep. He relates everything you talk about to things that everyone can relate to. You don't take many notes at all and if you listen in class, you should do well on the essay part of the exams I wouldn't definitely reccomend him

I'm also a Groce Junkie. Best professor I've ever had. Loves to teach, wants students to learn.

Great Prof. Great class. I can understand why some people have referred to themselves as "Groce junkies." He makes the subject come alive. If you enjoy history you will particularly like this class. There are papers to write concerning different theories and contrary to what I had heard...he provided feedback on each that I submitted. He also allotted time the day prior to the test to review and I found that it was very helpful. Nothing misleading on the test...straight from the notes. I am glad that I took this class with Groce and plan to take his others with him.

This was a very hard class. I had to study my ass off to get a B, and Groce will not bump up your grade even if your really close!! He's a good teacher and teaches the material well, but the material itself is so boring. His tests are killers!! He expects you to memorize half the book and you have to, to do well on his exams. All I can say is study, study, study!!!

Dr. Groce is probably one of the most challenging teachers that I have had in the Sociology department. All of his projects are pretty easy except for the fact that he is a hard grader. His test are set in a format that fits everyone's needs (some multiple choice, some short answers, and one essay). The worst thing about his class is the amount of reading that you have to do!

Great class! Three exams of multiple choice, T/F, matching, short answer and essay. You have to keep journals and turn them in, but they are easy to do. No textbook because you have to get articles on reserve and read them for quizzes. Overall a fun class because he's a great guy who knows what he is talking about. You watch videos, play games, get in groups and have discussions and talk about things. It's fun. Take it!

TAKE DR. GROCE!!! Theory is always going to be somewhat boring, but Dr. Groce makes it very interesting and worth while! He gives 2 tests and a comprehensive final. STUDY. He is a WONDERFUL teacher and really helps you understand the theories.

This has been by far my favorite class. It teaches you so much about the subject, and Dr. Groce is very knowledgeable about the subject. The class isn't too hard if you keep up, and you have to go to class in order to do so. He does daily quizes over the readings, but if you've read or skimed the articles, your fine. You have to do two journal entries a week, and he takes them up the day before a test. It's usually 8 in all. They aren't hard, but make sure they're a page. Also, there are three major "projects." Overall, this class was not incredibly hard, but you do have to put in some effort. I would recomend it and Dr. Groce to anyone.

I am a Groce Junkie...I have had Groce for Theory, socialization, soc. of Gender and will take him this spring for religion in society. I think Dr. Groce is very knowledgable, and interesting. He does however expect you to learn something from his classes. Don't take his class if you are undisciplined or lazy. Oh and he provides popcorn when he shows films. Groce is the BOMB

I've had Dr. Groce for 2 courses now, and he has become one of my favorites in the department as well as at the university. He makes you think. The class is mainly based on discussion as well as some theory, considering he is a big fan of it. You usually have quizes once a week over readings depending on the syllabus, you have to keep a journal, and there are 4 tests. You will never be bored in this class; you will be able to easily relate to the material. Attendance isn't necessarily mandatory, but he will make you want to come. It's definitely a class worth taking. Dr. Groce is an incredible man that continues to inspire me.

Dr. Groce is a wonderful teacher. This is the second course I have taken with him. He makes going to class fun. In this course we watched movies and played games and had group discussions about the socialization process. Overall you are learning about the social process, but in a fun way. He makes class fun and exciting. I also have a friend who took this course and she had many health problems. Dr. Groce was very sweet to her and was willing to go the extra mile to help assist her. I feel that every department needs a teacher like him because he is wonderful teacher.

I liked this class alot but it was rather difficult. Alot of hard work has to go into it. You have articles to read for about every class, then you have a pop quiz over the articles, which is hard because he only asks one question from the 2 or 3 you read. So make sure you read. The class lecture is interesting and he has fun activities such as playing games, looking at yearbooks, watching good movies, and they all serve a purpose. Don't take this if you are not ready to work!

But overall I liked this class

This class is fun and interesting! There is no textbook required, however there are articles in the library that you have to read because he'll give a few quizzes over them. It's pretty easy just look at the main headings, or if there are a list of things in the articles. You have to do some journals over the semester, just write about the socialization process. We watch movies in the class too. Dr. Groce is a good teacher. He reminds me of Matthew Macahauny in Dazed and Confused.

Great professor- really cares about the students and makes difficult material easier to understand. Watch out for his tests, though-- they are super hard and cover EVERYTHING he talks about in class. Try to read the assigned readings and remember the main points becuase low pop-quiz scores really kill your grade.

Dr. Groce is a wonderful instructor -- among the very best that WKU has to offer. He knows his stuff and he knows how to keep students engaged. He does assign a lot of work, but the assignments are interesting and require critical thinking skills, something we should, after all, be learning in college.

This was one of the best classes that I have taken at WKU. Dr. Groce is a wonderful professor. I highly recommend that if you are majoring in sociology you take his theory class it will help you in future classes.

Groce's class was very hard...he has an annoying habit of giving no constructive criticism on papers and journal entries so you never know how to improve. other than that, this class was great. I learned a lot about myself and society, and i looked forward to going to this class every day. It's a little bit difficult, but I would recommend this to anyone willing to put up the effort.

I feel that the class is a very difficult class but Groce makes it very interesting. I feel that his papers are difficult because you really do not know wht to expect after you do the paper. His first test is hard but the second was a whole lot easier.