I'd call this a deceptively easy class; for that reason, I expended minimal effort and generally relied on my own personal social/political knowledge to skate by most of the time. If you follow current events at all, it's really not that hard to guess what Wilcox wants to hear: the nuclear family as the quintessence of American family life, the ills of single motherhood, the dangers of cohabitation before marriage, and so on. Basically, when in doubt, revert to institutions -- whether that be the family or the church -- because Wilcox hammers them. On that point, I definitely appreciate his conservatism; it's a refreshing change of pace from the usual doctrinaire liberalism we're accustomed to in the classroom. And he doesn't foist it on the class either, instead making sure to acknowledge (even if dismissively) the other side. What's more, the guy is pretty funny, even if only in the most awkward way (I loved his outdated pop-culture references and '90s clip-art stock photos on the PowerPoints). Even if you aren't particularly interested in family issues, take the class if for no other reason than to broaden your horizons and experience academic conservatism in the age of Trump. As for the work, the grading on the first exam was admittedly harsher and far more punctilious than I expected. But after correcting for that, participating in class, writing a cogent term paper, and developing a rapport with Wilcox (and the TA) I came out with an A and felt fully satisfied with the class.

Very cool class on a topic that you just wouldn't expect. Grading is pretty easy as long as readings are cited. I would recommend for those looking for a final class to complete a schedule.

So Prof. Wilcox is definitely conservative, but he presents the opposing arguments and the class is really useful for life and just interesting altogether. He is willing to help you with your debate/paper if you go to him personally and he is just a great person to talk to if you want to know more about sociology. As a pre-med engineer, I think this was a great way to satisfy the MCAT requirement and I learned a ton. You have to go to class because he does clicker questions, but lecture is very interesting. There's also an 8-page paper but you get to choose your own topic. There's a midterm and a final.

Not a huge fan of this class because Professor Wilcox is very conservative and it's pretty obvious. He is a nice guy and tries to show both sides but it doesn't always work. This is more a class on how to have a good marriage. Not too hard of a class, there's one 8 page paper and one debate along with the midterm and final.

My best class this semester by far. I was a bit hesitant to take it after reading some of the reviews that painted Wilcox as a conservative who shoves his opinion down your throat. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Yes, he is a conservative (he actually admits to it on day 1) but he does show both sides of the argument and the reading does a good job of doing this. This class is extremely interesting and useful for relationships and family life. The reading can be a lot at times but for the most part it's really interesting. There's a debate you do in your discussion section, a midterm, 8-page research paper, and final.
Not that hard of a class and totally worth it in my mind.

Do not take Elissa Zeno as your TA! this class itself is easy but she will ruin your grade ! She makes it an easy B not an easy A ! don't get me wrong she is super sweet! but she grades pretty harshly and unfairly too If I must say!

Loved this class! One 8 page paper, a midterm, a final, a debate, 2 pop quizzes and discussion participation make up the grade. Don't think he counts clicker questions. Good easy class. Pedraza is a good TA!

If you value the basic right of women to not have to be a slave to household chores, I wouldn't recommend this class. Wilcox voices his opinions in all of his lectures, and most of the time the class lacks an actually scientific perspective on the issues of family life. He is awful. I would have dropped this class immediately had I known how sexist he is. It's not worth the GPA booster to sit and listen to him bolster his beliefs on traditional family models and gender norms of women in the home.

Lectures are interesting, and you don't really have to read if you pay attention. The essay is very important for your grade.

Professor Wilcox is a very well established, and I recommend you take the class if you are Conservative. Depending on the TA, the class is easy. There is a lot of reading, up to you whether or not you want to read it. Great class, but very one-sided.