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.

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

Graded on two midterms that are difficult even if you read everything and review the notes. He also has a condescending character that is unlike every other COMM professor at UCSB.

He had interesting lectures but anything he says could be on the exams!!! His class is graded on random attendance, midterm, & final. Our class did pretty bad on the exams (they are really difficult but "fair") so he curved the finals grades for a lot of people. Not a class to slack off in. cool guy at some times but you really need to put in work

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...