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.

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.

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 :)

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 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!

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.

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

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!

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