COMM 181A
ABRA G J
Gordon Abra
3.9
82 reviews

82
3.9
COMM142 . Abra G J 17 Days Ago

If you are not comfortable hearing his “bragging” about how much power he has as a rich, middle-age, white straight male; don't take this class! Also, he has sum very questionable viewpoints towards the underlying causes of SA/ rape cases. And he would mock students when they ask questions, which is not my type of humor. Overall, do not recommend.

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COMM142 . Abra G J 18 Days Ago

A professor who indulges in long-winded, irrelevant analogies that make his lectures drag endlessly. Offers almost no study materials for midterms, and refuses to use slides, forcing students to endure his convoluted teaching style with little support. Loves to argue and get personal with his students.

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COMM179 . Abra G J 2 Months Ago

COMM179 Music class. 1 midterm, 1 paper, 1 final. Combines the lectures/readings for exams. No slides and rants a lot of the time. Memorization is literally the only thing he tests, so you're good it comes easy to you. A lot of his lecture are just his opinion on things. Readings were interesting. I would never take one of his classes again though.

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COMM179 . Abra G J 3 Months Ago

Music comm course was super interesting lectures extremely engaging. He doesnt use slides & interacts with the class a lot which I loved. Graded on 3 exams (2 midterms & final) & 1 final paper. Dont take the course if you dont read you will do poorly. Readings are dense but start them early (no other homework). loved this class overall!

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COMM179 . Abra G J 5 Months Ago

Dr. Abra is a very intelligent professor, and cares a lot about the social sciences. His classes help me actually apply the knowledge I gain as a COMM major into the real world. His new class, Music Communication, was interesting, even though it had a few bugs. He expects a lot from his students, but those who do the work have a great experience.

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COMM177 . Abra G J 6 Months Ago

I loved legal communication with Professor Abra it was a really cool class and I learned a ton of cool stuff. Professor Abra is really funny and great at lecturing. Attendance isn't mandatory but he does not post the lecture notes so you should go to class.

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COMM150 . Abra G J 8 Months Ago

Professor Abra is by far one of the best comm professors I have had. He is so incredibly engaging and makes the class content he is teaching fun to learn. His grading criteria and what he expects from his students is very clear. If you do not go to class you wont do well on final or midterm. Readings need to be done. Very funny personality.

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COMM142 . Abra G J 10 Months Ago

Classes are interesting, but he doesn't use slides, and veers off-topic so frequently that it is difficult to tell what is actually important. He didn't finish covering all of the material that was on the midterm, but still tested on it. Exams were multiple choice, final had an essay as well. He likes arguing with his students a little too much.

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COMM142 . Abra G J 10 Months Ago

Dr. Abra is the best professor at UCSB! He is passionate and his classes are very intriguing. His lectures are incredible and he has great research backing up his claims. He is engaging and I like how he does not use powerpoints, but makes it clear what you need to know for the exams. Do the readings for sure and come to class. There's no busy work

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COMM164 . Abra G J 10 Months Ago

Dr. abra is the best prof i have taken. I have taken multiple of his classes, he does not use power points and talks out loud but makes it very clear what you will need to know. He is passionate. He has an authoritative tone but its just how he talks. Do the readings or you will not do well, they are usually manageable.

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COMM142 . Abra G J 11 Months Ago

Abra is the best Comm professor I've had at UCSB! He knows exactly what he is talking about and his course content easily reflects on day-to-day lessons, I find myself telling my housemates stuff he has mentioned in class. He is funny and has great rapport with his students. His classroom remains full throughout the quarter-- a great sign. Love him

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COMM164 . Abra G J 1 Year, 9 Days Ago

His midterms are based off the lectures & the readings. The readings are super dense and he also don't have slideshows so all we do is write down everything he says.

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COMM164 . Abra G J 1 Year, 10 Days Ago

Do not be fooled by his RMP grade, actually such a bad/boring class

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COMM164 . Abra G J 1 Year, 15 Days Ago

Abra is a pretty run-of-the-mill professor. Your grade is based on 2 midterms, a final and a paper so there's not much room for error. He's interesting enough but the class concept is pretty boring and not very engaging. Definitely wouldn't bee my first choice

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COMM142 . Abra G J 1 Year, 2 Months Ago

Abra is pretty good! His lectures were very engaging, although it can be a bit hard to follow along as he doesn't use slides at all. The readings are essential and will be tested on, and pacing for the class was off quite a bit as we didn't get through all of the syllabus topics in lecture, but were still expected to know them from readings.

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COMM150 . Abra G J 1 Year, 6 Months Ago

Abra is a very engaging lecturer and professor. The content of this class was truly interesting and I enjoyed learning about the topics. However, he does not use lecture slides. Additionally, his tests are extremely difficult and painfully specific. For context, 22 students last quarter received an F on the MIDTERM and only 11 received an A.

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COMM150 . Abra G J 1 Year, 7 Months Ago

Very interesting lectures. Take Abra if you are actually trying to take advantage of your education. You will learn things that will actually be useful in your life after graduating. You do have to do the readings and attend lectures to do well.

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COMM150 . Abra G J 1 Year, 8 Months Ago

Dr.Abra is seriously one of the best professors I've ever had. He's so knowledgable and makes subjects super interesting. As long as you go to class and do the readings you will succeed.

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COMM164 . Abra G J 1 Year, 9 Months Ago

My favorite professor at UCSB! His classes are all lecture style but he makes them super engaging, I never missed having PowerPoints. He is super friendly and is always willing to help his students. His tests are very fair and easy if you read the articles he posts and attend class. I have never had a problem in any of his classes I've taken!

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COMM164 . Abra G J 1 Year, 11 Months Ago

Dr Abra has been one of the best lecturers I have experienced in my education career. I have taken three of his COMM classes, and each of them were worth every penny of my higher education. He truly has a passion for teaching, and he knows how to do it right. He truly gifts thought-provoking material that will last a lifetime. Take his classes!

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COMM164 . Abra G J 1 Year, 11 Months Ago

NGL, if someone told you hes hard.. they are either really stupid or were to busy partying they had to make an excuse. He gives u reading and doesn't provide notes because he doesn't use a whiteboard or anything but if u just show up youll get atleast a B on his test. I got an F on one of his MTs and failed his other 2 test and still managed a B+.

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COMM150 . Abra G J 2 Years Ago

Professor Abra's lectures were easily the most interesting and engaging lectures I've ever listened to. He is very passionate about what he teaches and genuinely wants students to succeed. While attendance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended as the exams are mostly based off of lecture. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend!

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COMM150 . Abra G J 2 Years Ago

Dr. Abra is an ~interesting~ lecturer. Grading consisted of 1 midterm (30%), 1 cumulative final exam (40%), and 1 8-10 page paper (30%). He strictly did not use PowerPoint slides and did not have accommodations for those who needed to miss class (COVID). The material was interesting but he tended to ramble. I won't be taking him again.

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COMM177 . Abra G J 2 Years Ago

Abra is very passionate but the criteria isn't crystal clear. His lectures are great but you definitely have to do a close reading of the readings to do well on the tests. Should definitely go to office hours for help on the papers, he's very helpful and will give you ideas there. I would take this class again but it isn't an easy A

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