I took Sociology of Deviance, Gender, and Self and Society with LVL. She is the sharpest, most intuitive professor i've ever had and anyone who comes on here and gives her a bad review is doing it because they are students who care nothing about their education or what they are trying to learn. Learn some humility! This woman cares a lot and anyone who says otherwise is just pinpointing something they hate about themselves on someone else.

She is brilliant, her lectures are always engaging, and she'll be right there to help you along. For all the classes I've taken with her (3) I've earned A+ learn the material and you will do great!

Loved her..."education is self-help" the rest is point-less if it doesn't apply to you as a person. I respect those who have their own opinion about her class and pedagogy, but one question...then why take it in the first place...waste of space for those who could really grasp something from her class. Next time...learn how to pick relevant classes for yourself. thanks =]

TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR EDUCATION!

Professor Van Leuven is very passioniate about what she teaches. I'd easily say that she's the best professor I've had here at UCLA. She has a great way of teaching that keeps your attention (not to mention a great sense of humor) and encourages student participation. However, the workload is not easy and neither are some of the theories (although a lot of them are really interesting). She assigns a lot of weekly reading (requires 10 postings, one for every week) and you pretty much have to do all of it (well, most of it) if you want to do well in the class.

Don't take this class if you don't want to think. Don't take the class if you're just expecting an easy ride. But do take it for a new experience and for someone who wants to have a professor that truly believes in what she teaches.