Examines the beneficial, harmful, and always complicated implications of social media use across micro- and macro- levels of analyses. We focus on how these systems enhance and impede individual and socio-political self-expression, especially for those from marginalized populations (e.g racial/ethnic/religious minorities, immigrants, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, etc.). The class focuses on three primary topics: new media and social movements; new media and health; and new media and identity. Students gain both a theoretical and an applied understanding of how social media shape life in the 21st century.

Prerequisites: Not open to freshmen.

4

Units

Optional

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

Not open to freshmen

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
These majors only comm intst
Amy Gonzales
2.6
32 reviews
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Winter 2024 . Walther J B
WEBB 1100
W
17:00 PM - 19:50 PM
Fall 2024 . Gonzales A L
WEBB 1100
M W
15:30 PM - 16:45 PM
See All
COMM 184 Molina-Rogers Winter 2025 Total: 57
COMM 184 Gonzales A L Spring 2024 Total: 159
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32
2.6
COMM184 . 1 Year, 5 Days Ago

Quality of her slides are bad so to get the most info you should go to lecture (not mandatory). Readings can get dense especially if you're behind on them. Tests are MCQ but the final is cumulative, lecture heavy but do the readings. Content is overall interesting but the way it is taught is not. Choose topics that interest you for the papers!!

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COMM184 . 1 Year, 8 Days Ago

The exams aren't too bad if you make sure to go to lectures and basically memorize everything she tells you to memorize off the study guide. However, lecture did feel pretty lengthy and I personally found her to get a bit sassy with students when she was having a bad day. The class wasn't bad but she definitely wasn't the most intriguing.

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COMM184 . 1 Year, 20 Days Ago

professor gonzales is really nice and funny, but her classes are very paper and test heavy! be prepared to write and do a lot of readings. however, her tests are pretty straightforward (just really long). i honestly like her and would take a course with her again!

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COMM184 . 1 Year, 1 Month Ago

While Gonzales is sweet, her lecturers drag on and are a real snoozer. The slides are very vague and you basically have to write down everything she says which can be difficult as she goes on tangents. Tests aren't terrible, but the essays are challenging. Definitely try to avoid.

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COMM184 . 1 Year, 1 Month Ago

Probably my least favorite professor I've ever had. Her lectures are uninteresting, and her exams and papers are overly complicated. It's clear that she is only here for research and doesn't put as much effort into actually helping students learn. Save yourself the absolute headache that is this professor and take something else.

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COMM184 . 1 Year, 1 Month Ago

One of the least engaging professors I've had at UCSB. Her lectures are hard to pay attention to because they are flat-out uninspiring and boring. She essentially just talks at the class for 75 minutes. Her class is not structured well at all. She seems like a nice person but not a good professor.

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