Teaching

Quarter: Summer Session A

Offered: 2025

Everyday, we encounter information that comes from scientific studies in the media, on the internet, and in conversations with others. However, many people don’t have the skills that are necessary to evaluate how reliable this information is. Was the study performed in a way that makes the findings generalizable? How high quality and trustworthy are the data? In recent years, numerous documentaries and articles about a series of scientific studies convinced the public that the lifestyles in so-called ‘Blue Zones’ significantly improved human longevity. This led to several bestselling books and the emergence of a multi-million dollar company based on the idea. Yet, another researcher now argues that these findings are based on faulty recordkeeping. How can we, as citizens and social scientists, evaluate such studies and arguments? This hands-on course offers a brief overview of research design and methods in sociology that will help you evaluate research you encounter and provide you with a solid foundation to embark on your own social science research in the future. 

Anonymous student reviews:

"This course pushed me to think more critically and reflectively about topics I hadn’t deeply considered before. Through the written assignments, I learned how to analyze issues from multiple perspectives and question assumptions I previously took for granted. The instructor encouraged open–ended thinking rather than memorization, which helped me strengthen my reasoning skills and engage more deeply with complex ideas. I also developed better writing and analytical abilities by working through memos and group work that required me to synthesize information and communicate it clearly. Overall, the course helped me grow both intellectually and personally by challenging the way I see the world."

"She is a truly excellent educator—clear, thoughtful, and deeply committed to her students' learning. Her teaching style is engaging, inclusive, and supportive, and she consistently goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels heard and understood. I would absolutely take another course with her. 10/10 rating!"

"The instructor consistently encouraged us to engage with the material through open–ended questions, small–group discussions, and class–wide dialogue. We were not only allowed but actively invited to share our perspectives, ask questions, and connect course concepts to real–life examples. Group activities were well–structured and gave everyone a chance to contribute, reflect, and deepen our understanding. The instructor also made space for student–led discussions, which made the learning process feel collaborative and empowering."

Quarter: Summer Session C

Offered: 2024

Substantively, this course introduces students to the range of topics that sociologists study with particular emphasis on how inequality is understood from a sociological perspective, in addition to a review of the research methods that sociologists use to investigate these topics. The culmination of the course is an original literature review on a sociological topic of choice that introduces students to the early stages of conducting research. To prepare students to write a literature review, the course includes a series of workshops on research-related topics that engage critical thinking skills while allowing students to learn independently about a topic of interest. 

Anonymous student reviews:

"Professor Smock was great! She knew what she was teaching. Her activities were fun, and hands-on, and allowed me to understand the topics we discussed in her class. She cared about her students and made the learning process smooth and stress-free. She incorporated real-world problems and interesting educational videos that applied to the course."

"I studied sociological concepts from the ground up. It was exciting when the concepts and theories we were studying connected to my past experiences and knowledge."

"This course challenged me to develop academic reading and writing skills."

"I have not had a class at UCLA where I felt so encouraged and welcome to participant in a while. Katherine was a wonderful instructor and I felt so included in the conversation."

"Each class had a clear learning goal, and we were often reminded of our overall goals for the class. The lectures were clear and helpful and included student participation which made them engaging."