I studied everyday for this class, did all of the reading and made tons of study guides and still got a C (my first c in college). Flanagin is willing to help you during his office hours, but his tests are extremely hard and participation is not easily attained unless you speak during every class. He's a great guy but a really tough prof.

freakin hard teacher - probably the hardest in the department. took him also for comm 116 - only because i needed units, otherwise would never have taken him again. may seem deceiving because he is personable, but lectures are EXTREMELY detailed, and the exams are IMPOSSIBLE to get an A (sometimes even a B) despite his curves. dont take.

Both 116 and 118 were great classes. Yes, he is a tough professor, but that's just because he's an expert in his field which is always a good thing. Lectures were easy to take notes on because he uses powerpoint and gives excellent examples. If you study well for the tests, they are not that hard. Apply yourself and it's possible to get an A.

He is a great lecturer and uses powerpoint, which makes it easy to take notes. Howerver, his tests are extremely hard!!! You must do all the reading and go to EVERY lecture to do even decent.

4 years since graduating, I'm fully appreciating his classes. Very relevant, very applicable, and right on the money. Great professor, and the only one whose lectures I still think about. Very helpful and caring too. Worth the work.

best class, best prof i've had -- hard class, but he made me *want* to learn...very engaging and organized

Flanagin is a very tough professor but he is very educated on the topics he talks about. There is a strict no phone policy, attendance is basically mandatory, there is 2 midterms and a final that are multiple choice for the most part but are very specific. Overall its a hard class, but very interesting and you will not be bored.

Lots of information, tests challenging but fair, lectures were very interesting. Don't take if you're a slacker, but otherwise you'll love it and him.

Do the work and you'll be fine. The content was relevant and interesting. Covers all aspects of the internet, from history, to social media, to legal issues, to technical things (not overly in depth), to misinformation, etc. Always gives up-to-date info based on empirical research. GREAT lecturer and very engaging...

The worst professor I've ever had at UCSB. The material was interesting but it's hard to stay interested in the subject/class when the professor is a stuck-up grumpy man. I could write a whole essay on why to not take this man but I can only write 350 words about it. He is an awful professor just overall, it seems like he hates teaching.

Pros -good lecturer -easy to take notes on -no assignments -very accessible outside of class Cons -hard exams -attendance taken -has a stuck up attitude -not much to bring your grade up with Overall interesting if you like tech !

The information provided in this class is helpful to those looking to go into tech-related fields, and not much more. Flanagin does not once discuss how internet effects society or communication. He does not slow down to match the pace of his students. His ego is bigger than his desire to educate students properly. Try to avoid this class

Professor Flanagin is a great professor and his lectures are very interesting. I took the class during a 3-week session which is why I would say it is a challenging course. It was fast-paced and only graded on midterm and final. My biggest recommendation is to attend all lectures and study the readings/notes until you mastered the material.

I wouldn't listen to the people giving Flanagin 5/5. Although he had interesting lectures, he has a negative attitude and his tests are very difficult. If you fail the midterm, I would get a late drop approval since the main portion of your grade is a midterm and final. Prepare to study for hours and to limit your social life.

Flanagin knows his stuff and his lectures are interesting if you pay attention! However our grades are only based off a final and a midterm with attendance so if you fail the midterm...yeah. Literally anything he says can be on the exams, and the answer choices can range from A-G. He is willing to go more in depth on topics, just study/hope lol

Great class, the exams are more difficult compared to other COMM classes but taking good notes will help a lot. It is not an easy class, but all content are backed by research and i really appreciate his effort put into the course.

Flanagin is by far one of the worst COMM professors at UCSB. He considers his tests to be fair, but almost everyone say that they are difficult. He's condescending of students and speaks badly about his colleagues. He constantly brags about his career and how he always get bored in each job he's in. Don't choose Flanagin you'll regret it

I read the reviews before taking this class and was worried it would be too hard. I did the work and it was fine. I LOVED the class, which is full of interesting content. He's an amazing lecturer who knows his stuff and cares about learning. If you don't do well, it's probably on you. He presents interesting and relevant stuff really clearly.

You have to do the work (go to lecture, take good lecture AND reading notes) but the tests are straightforward if you study. Flanagin is tough, but funny and keeps lectures interesting. He's a stereotypical scary college prof, don't let your phone go off in class and such, but you can tell its a bit of a front too. I really liked this class!

Condescending towards students and shades other comm profs. Rude and unapproachable. Graded only by midterm and final which ask frankly irrelevant questions, such as who invented things. Readings are overly long and not engaging. Inflexible attendance policy. Clearly he is knowledgable as an individual, but his lack of passion and bad attitude...

I took this course W'22. The final grade is determined by the midterm, final, and attendance. Most people in the course did well on the midterm, but the final was brutal. The final had multiple choice responses ranging from a-h... might as well add the whole alphabet. Our final grades were curved because we did so poorly - just study and uh pray

Class is based on two grades midterm and final and small percentage for attendance. You must do good on midterm otherwise drop the class the final was very difficult.

This course was so interesting and the content is so relevant to everyday life. Learned things I never thought I would in the Comm major and I'm glad I took this course. There is only one midterm, a final, and attendance being counted toward your grade so study A LOT.

I really don't understand the low ratings of professor Flanagin! He's amazing and makes lectures so interesting. The content he teaches is very relevant and important to know. He's very funny, smart and knows what he's talking about. Definitely take a class from him if you have the chance! His test is totally fair if you attend all the lectures.