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He keeps class interesting, but sometimes the lectures can get quite dry. If you need to take a global perspective class I would highly recommend this class. There is 4 reading responses and 2 take home exams. No Final.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/293964","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":2},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:30:13.036521+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyNTg3NTI3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:293964","instructor_name":"Joseph Elder","course_label":"LCA252","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2013-12-17 14:48:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"What a wonderful prof.  Very nice, personable, and he has great stories.  Lecture not required, and can get a bit dull.  Absolutely talk with him during office hours or outside of class, about anything, your life, school, etc.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/293964","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":1},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:30:13.036521+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyNTY1OTU2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:293964","instructor_name":"Joseph Elder","course_label":"SOC252","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2013-12-15 22:55:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"Joe is the sweetest guy. Go chat with him before/after class or during office hours; he is so warm and caring.  It pains me to say it, but the lectures aren't necessary and can be very boring.  However, he sometimes tells great stories! 3 take-home essay exams, no final. That is all you are graded on.  Very easy GPA booster.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/293964","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":1},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:30:13.036521+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyNDc2MDky","source_instructor_id":"rmp:293964","instructor_name":"Joseph Elder","course_label":"ILS209","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2013-12-09 11:53:39 +0000 UTC","comment":"I would probably pay to have a conversation with Joe Elder. He's super knowledgeable and seems to be an expert is a ton of fields. The class is a pretty easy and the material is interesting. Elder can be a little forgetful - but who could blame him at 86? Great class, would recommend to anybody!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/293964","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":1},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:30:13.036521+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyNDE0MjIw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:293964","instructor_name":"Joseph Elder","course_label":"ILS209","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2013-12-02 16:53:53 +0000 UTC","comment":"Knowledgable guy, but confusing lectures. With his age comes knowledge, but also forgetfulness when it comes to changing slides. Easy in regards to the fact that you don't have to do the readings, and the exams are all take home. Mediocre class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/293964","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":2},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:30:13.036521+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyMzg5NjI1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:293964","instructor_name":"Joseph Elder","course_label":"ILS209","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2013-11-26 00:55:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great Professor! He is one of the most interesting professors I have had here at UW. I took the class on a whim for humanities credits and it turned out being great! and a gpa booster is never bad either, all take home exams!!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/293964","quality_rating":4,"difficulty_rating":1}],"total":111,"page":1,"courses":[{"course_uid":"course_aadb4b0c55f2d440dd1749c3","course_id":"C&ESOC/SOC/URBRPL 617"},{"course_uid":"course_1b3f70e36fb2df91efed05ec","course_id":"GEN&WS/SOC 200"}],"matched":true},"socialImage":false}}