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Begins with an examination of the advertising industry from academic perspectives--economics, psychology, sociology, and history. Then the course shifts to a practical perspective as we examine how advertising agencies are organized, how they get clients, how they conduct research to create advertising campaigns, how they make media buys, and how they design advertising messages. Students complete exercises in researching a situational analysis, making a media buy, and designing a TV ad.

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
James Potter
2.2
58 reviews
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Fall 2025 . Potter W J
PSYCH1902
M W
17:00 PM - 18:15 PM
Winter 2024 . Potter W J Wang Minghui
PHELP1260
T R
15:30 PM - 16:45 PM
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COMM 138 Potter W J Winter 2025 Total: 49
COMM 138 Potter W J Winter 2024 Total: 61
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58
2.2
COMM138 . 3 Months Ago

Professor Potter is a fantastic educator, but you have be willing to put in the work to get the most out of his classes. I took all my notes on paper, sat at the front everyday and never missed a lecture. His lectures can be long and tedious but he has an enormous amount of knowledge on communication theory, business, advertising etc.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
COMM138 . 8 Months Ago

Jim Potter is an OG in the field of communication and expert in media literacy. He will teach you how to be a good writer if you put in the effort. No, he's not your traditional tech-heavy professor, but you get a real education from reading and attending his lectures. Highly recommend for anyone interested in a career in media or advertising.

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138 . 8 Months Ago

Do not take this class. The worst teacher I have ever had at UCSB. He does not care about students, talks extremely quietly so you cannot hear him, posts nothing on canvas and has no lecture slides. The entire course is him rambling on. He announced to the class that the highest score in the course was an 83%.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
COMM138 . 1 Year, 10 Months Ago

Don't ask questions because he most likely won't answer them. If you go to the bathroom or miss class you're basically done. Do not take this professor!

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COMM138 . 2 Years Ago

Potter will stand and talk at you about seemingly unimportant things for a majority of the class period, and slightly sprinkle in elements you are "supposed to know". This man expects you to provide your full attention during every moment of the lecture and does not appear to care whether students are actually understanding the information. Avoid

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138 . 2 Years Ago

I have mixed feelings about this class. It was difficult because he doesn't use gaucho space, Canvas, and is not easily accessible outside of class. No make ups. No late submissions. Even if you have a documented excuse. You can tell he is passionate about his class and knows his stuff. Interesting class. Make sure you show up.

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See all 58 reviews
COMM 130
90 / 90 Full
Political Communication
Kanu Pandey 4.6
M
17:00 PM - 19:20 PM
52.2% A
COMM 133
50 / 50 Full
Media and Children
Malik M I
M W
15:30 PM - 16:45 PM
35.7% A
COMM 136
90 / 90 Full
Collaborative Technologies and the Dynamics of Organization
Randazzo C
M W
15:30 PM - 16:45 PM
75.8% A
COMM 139
90 / 90 Full
Communication and Emotion
Robin Nabi 3.6
M W
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
21.5% A
COMM 142
90 / 90 Full
Power, Dominance and Communication
Gordon Abra 3.8
T R
08:00 AM - 09:15 AM
51.2% A
COMM 145
0 / 90 Closed
Media Entertainment
T B A
T R
14:00 PM - 15:15 PM
32.9% A