Flanagin is a great professor and I feel lucky to have been taught by such an intelligent individual. You must show up and take good notes. He grades tough, doesn't really round, and grade is only midterm and final. Tons of content. Challenging but definitely enriching overall class.

His classes are very insightful, and he is very inspirational. Looked forward to his classes. Tough tests though! I am usually an A student and got by with Bs in his classes. Wish there was more than just a midterm and final, puts a lot of pressure on those weeks. But thats okay, cuz he's a fox! wish he had more classes.

Went to every single lecture, paid attention, took good notes, and studied my ass off. Ended up with a C in the class. He doesn't post lectures online, and tests ask for random specific points from lecture. I didn't find the readings particularly helpful. This class was interesting but a million times harder than it needed to be.

Tbh the class isn't that bad but only midterm & final so if you mess up on 1.... I took the midterm w/o knowing it was midterm day, so I did minimal studying, never read & ended up with a B! Paying attention in class and taking good notes is key. Read if you want an A.

Midterm and final determine your grade. Lectures may seem long but they're clearly structured so it's easy to study them. Doesn't put lectures online and the readings are long. Nice guy who's knowledgeable in the field and makes it relevant to everyday life.

This class is challenging, but super interesting. Attendance is mandatory since he doesn't post lecture slides online, and you must pay attention in class because much of the info is said but not on the powerpoints. He assigns a lot of reading but it is not necessary. 50% midterm and 50% final. With some work, it is easy to get an A!

Within the first few days of lecture it becomes obvious that he is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject. His classes are a little hard, but not ridiculous if you attend lecture, do the readings, and go to office hours. He is funny and has plenty of stories to make the class interesting. Overall, a pretty good professor.

Psychologically, there's something going on with this guy. He can come across as interested in your education and personable, but I get the strong sense this is a facade. He can be unbelievably condescending, to the point of being a defense mechanism. If you must take his course, don't threaten his world. A friend did, and got a glimpse beneath.

Awesome, fun, passionate teacher. He is super smart and great at explaining unfamiliar concepts in lecture. Lecture and readings are necessary to pass tests!!! Keeps things relatable and contemporary. Great teacher :)

I studied pretty hard for his class yet I did poorly on both his midterm and final - I ended up with a C in the class. It really doesn't make sense to me and I'm bummed because I enjoyed Flanigan's class. He's a great teacher who makes class worth going to, but I don't know what happened with his tests. Guess I didn't study hard enough as I thought

Very fun professor who has lots of stories - you learn very interesting stuff in this class and he's got jokes, too. However, take him seriously when he says his tests are "challenging, but fair." Study diligently and don't take the readings as a joke - he asks a number of questions from them. Overall really cool guy who makes you enjoy his class.

Flanagin knows what's up! Knowledgeable, experienced, articulate, he's a great professor. Only potential problem is he is soft spoken. Stay present in lecture, listen to his "story" of the day. Awesome class that covers a lot about the internet and it's communicative capabilities. Take it and enjoy it!

LOVE Professor Flanagin. The class is extremely interesting. Every lecture you learn something new and intriguing. The reading is a bit dense. Overall it is amazing class and every Comm major should take it!

Difficult class, but worth the work. He's a great prof -- knowledgeable, funny, interesting. Taught me a new way to see the Internet and the world. His last lecture is unlike anything I've every had in a class before -- amazing and inspiring. Even if you're not in the class, you should experience it (though you won't fully understand it).

This class is fairly easy. If you are good at memorization, this class will be a breeze. Just know everything, and know the basic arguments of every reading. He is very sweet, even though a little awkward. 50% midterm, 50% final. Just learn everything!

Professor Flanagin is one of the most interesting and knowledgeable professors I have had at UCSB. The material is genuinely interesting and he has an interesting take on some controversial topics, peer-to-peer file sharing. There is a lot of reading, but it's interesting as well. I love this class and leave every lecture excited about something.

Extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, makes lectures interesting. Took during summer- 3 week intense course, grade is made up of 50% mid-term & 50% final. Tests are not easy, but that is because they are multiple choice that actually make you think! Much better than essay questions. Keep up with and do all reading, you are tested on everything!

Not an easy class. Taking this class in 3 wks summer was so intensive.The final exam is very difficult.

Just finished Comm 116 & 118 back to back in Summer session "D" 3 week classes. It's a great way to do it, but you must attend every class, take great extensive notes, study in groups, volunteer, and by all means do the reading before the class day. All the people here spouting arrogance about the professor is off sides. He is a foremost expert

Flanagin is a cool guy. He encourages discussion and asks if you understand the topics. Also uses relevant examples. Only a midterm and a final. Mostly multiple choice and some fill in the blank. GO to class! Make sure you understand the main point of each reading and memorize its author for the tests.

Great teacher

Take the 3-week class! Its not easy, but its soooo interesting. Tests are hard but fair. It's a challenge but its worth it to sit there for 3 hours and actually be entertained.

Such a smart professor. Best class I've had at UCSB. A LOT of notes and tests are really hard, but his classes are so interesting. Take him before you graduate. Do all the reading and go to class...it's worth it.

Exams are pretty challenging and rigorous and lectures are extremely detailed and contain tons of info, so its important to study consistently and prepare for the tests. Interesting class and prof is personable in class, but has is intimidating to talk to. His classes are definitely a lot of work and not for slackers.