FLANAGIN A J
Best classes I ever had at UCSB. Knowledgeable prof who has your best interests in mind. Engaging lectures full of relevant information. Covers current theory and research and teaches you how to digest research for yourself. Honestly, he was inspiring.
honestly one of the best professors i've had. as long as you're willing to come to class regularly, tests are quite easy. no homework besides readings, which usually aren't even tested. very engaging lecturer and curves the class quite generously. slides not posted though, so it's tough to miss class.
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 interesting content and great lectures...you get your money's worth for sure. You can't just wing the exams, be sure to actually study and pay attention in class. Very helpful if you go to the office hours but be sure to take good notes.
People dislike Flanagin, but I have learned more career-applicable information from his two classes than I have in my entire UCSB experience. All you have to do is attend class, pay attention (which isn't hard because he is super interesting), and study your notes for like a day. Such a good professor, everyone is dramatic over difficulty.
I don't get all the whiners on here. If the scores on tests were poor -- which was rarely the case -- he curves (big time) in our favor to make the grades better. I learned more in this class than all my other Comm classes put together. Funny guy, great lectures, explains things really well. Very helpful if you just approach him and ask.
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.
Never ever take a class with this guy. Seriously the worst professor I have ever had. makes his test incredibly difficult on overly specific topics, over 50% of the class failed one of his midterms because he made it too hard (he said this himself). Class is graded on three tests and attendance is 8.3% of the grade. avoid his class at all costs.
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.
The lectures were super informative and he clearly knows what he's talking about. Likes to interact with the class, so it kept people interested.
Honestly one of my favorite comm professors. No assignments which is great. Tests were difficult but doable if you study a little. readings are straightforward and supplement lectures very well. Not sure why people dont like his attitude, hes a really cool guy and always has an interesting, random story that relates to lecture.