Took 118 with him awhile back and I still think about the material, which distinguishes this class from almost all others right off the bat... He's super-organized, smart, and funny. He takes his time to explain things and makes sure everyone is on the same page with him. Accessible outside of class, genuine, and kind. Good prof and good person

I may be a bit older than the typical responder here, so perhaps that factors into my perspective. I would've found Dr. Flanagin to be fine if he weren't disdainful of differing opinions, rigid in his thinking and yet, at times, trying too hard to be liked. His exams weren't overly difficult if you paid attention and read the material.

Honestly not that bad. Not the kind of class that you can skip out on and get an A in, but he's anything but unfair. I skimmed the readings and took decent notes. Got a solid A in the class with a pretty average amount of studying. He doesn't clutter lectures with unnecessary information, which is great but you also can't zone out.

He's extremely intelligent, and he knows it. You have to go to every single lecture and listen to what he's saying - if you just copy down the slide, you won't get anything out of it. One midterm, one final, each 50%. Study throughout the quarter. He says readings are mandatory to get an A, but they're really only 2-4 questions per test.

Great lectures, interesting stuff. I wasn't even that interested in the topic at first, but he drew me in and made it come to life. Impressive; even made me see theory as practical for the first time. Awesome prof who cares about what he's doing and it shows.

If you're thinking of taking 118, consider if you really need the course material. It follows the development of technology and humanity. It is very retrospective and broad. There are more specific classes out there. However, Flanagin is inspirational in his teaching style - not so much the subject. Minimal reading, go to class. Get an A.

I took two of Flanagin’s classes (116 & 118). I agree with comments about his classes being challenging, his expertise, and the way he engages students. He’s actually inspiring…really. What I don’t get is the comments about him being intimidating/condescending. He was always very respectful, kind, and went out of his way to help students.

Professor Flanagin is very funny, passionate, and knowledgeable. His class is well organized and very clear. Reading and lectures are necessary to pass but tests are straight-forward! He is a really great teacher. Uses personal examples as well as funny contemporary examples to help! Great teacher!

Andrew Flanagin was a wonderful teacher. He is brilliant and a very interesting person who gives lots of personal examples that are both fascinating and help understand the material. The reading are absolutely necessary to get an A on tests, as 15-20% are specific questions on the readings. The readings can be very dry though :/ Overall, take it!

Great class, great prof, genuinely interesting material. His lecture style is engaging and pretty funny and entertaining sometimes. There's a lot of reading, but it's relevant. Very knowledgable, yet approachable.

The class was very interesting, sometimes even fascinating, even though it was not a topic that was that interesting to me before I took the class. Flanagin is an extremely knowledgeable person, whose experience and research expertise made the class come alive. Tests are challenging but not tricky -- pay attention, do the work and you'll be fine!

I have always received A's and B's. I went to every class and I still ended up with a c- after studying a lot for his class. I just finished taking his class during Winter 2013. I have never rated a professor in my whole educational career. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. The reading is absolutely dull, and his tests are very difficult.

I wasn't all that interested in this class before I took it, but I actually loved going and learned a ton. I still think about things from lecture all the time, and although he teaches a lot of theory, it was really relevant too. He is the best teacher I've had at UCSB and lecture was actually fun and enjoyable even though class was hard.

Hard but interesting class. If you are not a good test taker, don't take this class. 1 midterm, small paper and final. thats it!

Awesome class, interesting, he knows his stuff. Tests are hard but he doesn't try to trick you. Just take good notes and do the readings, which are really interesting. Seriously, I wish I could take this again just to go to his lectures.

Lectures are always interesting, sometimes fascinating (not kidding!); he brings together a lot of material in ways that are challenging and fun. Great lecturer, gets students involved also. Tests are challenging but fair. Take a class from him before you graduate. Best prof I've had at UCSB.

great lecturer. hard tests. do the reading. the class was very applicable to real life, and he really made the subject matter come to life.

I love him! Best teacher I have had at UCSB. He loves what he does and he makes every class interesting. His test can be hard, but at least you actually learn something from them. Don't be afraid. Take one of his classes. I am in Comm 116 right now and I love this class too.

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