Luiz C. Barbosa

Professor Barbosa became the chair of the sociology department after I took his global sociology course in 2003. His prestigious accomplishment and position never detracted from his fundamental role as educator and student advocate and environmentalist. Where most chairs do not or can not find the time to deal with student concerns, Dr. Barbosa is usually available to address student issues and even have a friendly chat. You get the sense that he really cares about his students.

Barbosa is not an easy grade, but he is so dynamic and so compelling that you absorb and then grow to understand what is a very organinized and articulated course. Two in-class exams that are short answer and short essay, and one or two short take-home papers are requried. Barbosa will take the time to shepherd you if you ask. You can not miss in this course if you are serious about leaving SFSU knowing something about patterns that organize social structures and the ideas behind them. Two years later, I still refer to his lecture notes!

I never intended to major in sociolgy, but Barbosa's impact was so profound that I changed majors. He is such an excellent teacher and sheds light, on how far too many teachers at SFSU pale in comparison. I do not advise taking his course during your first semester. You may be disappointed thereafter, by teachers who read from their assigned texts and believe this is teaching.

For all you prospective teachers out there: Do enroll or audit Barbosa's class. He is an example of quintessential teaching.

I can not suggest anything for Dr. Barbosa to add or detract from his curriculum.

As for the Sociology Department, I would like to see the core course requirements add modern sociological theory, to supplement fundamental theory. Methods are broken up into two segements, so should theory-my kibbiz.

Barbosa is one of the most interesting and stimulating professors at SF State. He has a sense of humor and appreciates different points of view. An easy going guy, just make sure you are not reading in class! As long as you come to class and pay attention you can be sure to get an A. Many people take this class for an easy A, but end up with bad grades because they think they can get by doing the minimum and still get an A. Don't make this mistake! It is easy to get an A, but it requires that you come to class and pay attention!

This guy is one hell've a lecturer. He really puts forth a lot of effort into getting his points across. He is loud, entertaining and uses more than one example when he encodes his messages to the class. Just don't sit in the front row because sometimes he accidently sprays saliva all over his students when he speaks! Other than that. . . he's very good!

Barbosa's enthusiasm for the subject matter tended to rub off on me. He made learning enjoyable. If you skip class, don't keep up with readings, or fail to study, his exams may seem overwhelming. On the other hand, he makes it clear what it is he intends for us to learn and if you pay attention, attend class, and read, getting an A should be no problem. His knowledge of the subject matter, along with his enthusiastic manner, make for a good teacher.

Professor Barbosa is a great, great instructor! Everytime I leave his class my mind is swimming with a wealth of information and I am motivated to contemplate the various social problems that exist and to think of ways to cure them. I am happy that a Professor like Barbosa is alive and educating me. A semester with Professor Carrington can drain the life and desire for Sociology right out of a student. Professor Barbosa you rock!

Barbosa is an interesting lecture, often funny and always easy to understand. He welcomes classroom discussion. He is helpful and generous in terms of his teaching. I found his class extremely easy: Show up, take notes, read the book, regurgitate material on the tests and quizzes. The workload is not too heavy in this particular class. My only complaint was about the testing and assignments: Not much critical thinking is required; only memorization. The tests and papers basically asked you to repeat the theories we learned... I didn't find this very challenging or stimulating at all. Overall he's better than average but not one of the best instructors I've had.

Dr. Barbosa is an excellent professor. He is funny, a good lecturer, and he is very knowledgeable. I took two classes from him my first semester at state, and I liked him so much that I came back for more the next semester! His courses are heavy on the lecture and there is a lot of note taking, but if you go to class and pay attention, you will do fine. He is a very fair grader. I took Global Soc from him two spring semesters ago, and even though it was a 4 hour night course, I never got bored and the time went really fast. That semester, I was having some medical problems and he allowed me to turn in the final book review a week late with a note from my doctor. The only word of caution I would have for people in his classes is to show up on time, or wait until he takes a break in the class to enter the room. He will get very upset if you disrupt the class, and understandably so. Oh yeah, and if you're reading this Luiz, I hope your arm gets better! I saw you in a sling the other day. What happened?