Michael W Suman
Department of Communication
AD
3.2
Overall Rating
Based on 326 Users
Easiness 2.2 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Clarity 3.6 / 5 How clear the class is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Workload 2.5 / 5 How much workload the class is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Helpfulness 3.3 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

TOP TAGS

  • Tough Tests
GRADE DISTRIBUTIONS
14.4%
12.0%
9.6%
7.2%
4.8%
2.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

18.2%
15.2%
12.1%
9.1%
6.1%
3.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

20.4%
17.0%
13.6%
10.2%
6.8%
3.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

16.7%
13.9%
11.1%
8.3%
5.6%
2.8%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

16.4%
13.6%
10.9%
8.2%
5.5%
2.7%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

17.9%
15.0%
12.0%
9.0%
6.0%
3.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

14.9%
12.4%
9.9%
7.4%
5.0%
2.5%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

15.4%
12.8%
10.3%
7.7%
5.1%
2.6%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

21.2%
17.7%
14.1%
10.6%
7.1%
3.5%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

20.4%
17.0%
13.6%
10.2%
6.8%
3.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

23.9%
19.9%
15.9%
11.9%
8.0%
4.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

20.4%
17.0%
13.6%
10.2%
6.8%
3.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

19.6%
16.4%
13.1%
9.8%
6.5%
3.3%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

24.4%
20.3%
16.3%
12.2%
8.1%
4.1%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

16.8%
14.0%
11.2%
8.4%
5.6%
2.8%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

21.3%
17.7%
14.2%
10.6%
7.1%
3.5%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

18.1%
15.0%
12.0%
9.0%
6.0%
3.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

20.4%
17.0%
13.6%
10.2%
6.8%
3.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

20.3%
16.9%
13.5%
10.2%
6.8%
3.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

21.2%
17.7%
14.1%
10.6%
7.1%
3.5%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

17.6%
14.6%
11.7%
8.8%
5.9%
2.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

23.4%
19.5%
15.6%
11.7%
7.8%
3.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

18.8%
15.7%
12.6%
9.4%
6.3%
3.1%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

18.6%
15.5%
12.4%
9.3%
6.2%
3.1%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

25.3%
21.1%
16.8%
12.6%
8.4%
4.2%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

16.8%
14.0%
11.2%
8.4%
5.6%
2.8%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

18.2%
15.2%
12.2%
9.1%
6.1%
3.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

20.0%
16.7%
13.3%
10.0%
6.7%
3.3%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

24.3%
20.2%
16.2%
12.1%
8.1%
4.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

18.6%
15.5%
12.4%
9.3%
6.2%
3.1%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

22.3%
18.6%
14.9%
11.2%
7.4%
3.7%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

16.7%
13.9%
11.1%
8.3%
5.6%
2.8%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

17.5%
14.6%
11.7%
8.8%
5.8%
2.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

20.6%
17.1%
13.7%
10.3%
6.9%
3.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

19.2%
16.0%
12.8%
9.6%
6.4%
3.2%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

23.5%
19.6%
15.6%
11.7%
7.8%
3.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

24.4%
20.3%
16.2%
12.2%
8.1%
4.1%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

21.5%
17.9%
14.3%
10.8%
7.2%
3.6%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

21.8%
18.2%
14.6%
10.9%
7.3%
3.6%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

ENROLLMENT DISTRIBUTIONS
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Reviews (298)

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Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 11, 2015

SELLING ALL BOOKS NEEDED FOR COMM 10 FOR $60

Ordered them but decided to drop the class before the beginning of the quarter.

Text me if you're interested **********

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 28, 2014

selling all three required readings for COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES 10 for $25:
Losing the News
You Just Don't Understand
Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Media and Society

used, in great condition (only highlighter marks)

contact *************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 10, 2014

He makes boring subjects pretty interesting with his examples. He's a good professor and the class is not that hard, contrary to what most people say. Take it!

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Sept. 8, 2014

A very interesting but challenging class. I found it very enjoyable but you MUST study. This is not a class to be taken lightly if you want a good grade.

SELLING 3 REQUIRED BOOKS:
-You Just Don't Understand (Tannen)
-Losing the News
-Taking Sides

Email me at *************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
April 1, 2014

Really interesting but other people have said it all; you just literally have to memorize everything in lecture and write down lists.

Overall everything is interesting, but the amount of reading and memorization is just massive. All of his online articles, books, and things in lecture will be on the midterm and final.

The TA's discuss the books and reading a bit more in depth and can help you expand on some ideas but you can definitely get by skipping them. However they can give you really helpful tips on what to expect on midterms and what they are looking for in a paper so it's worth going to.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 31, 2014

selling two required books "Losing the News" and "Taking Sides"! good condition!
*************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Jan. 2, 2014

Selling all three textbooks required for Communication Studies 10 for $25. Books are in great condition! Email me if you're interested at *************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 31, 2013

If you are a freshman looking to take this as a GE, my advice is DON'T. I stressed out about this class more than my classes for my major. Granted, I did get an A... but it was really stressful, time consuming, boring, and not easy.

Doing the required research participation is not difficult or time consuming - so that was a plus. You have to complete 4 hours of research participation to get 4 units of credit. Even though the stated time for each was either 1 hour or 1/2 hour, they usually took 45 min. max.

The 5-7 page paper due the 9th week is also not difficult, as it requires absolutely no outside research. However, because they don't give you back your paper until next quarter, I don't know how it was graded - but, I didn't get the grade on the paper that I thought I would.

As for lecture, the concepts are not difficult because the subject matter isn't conceptual - everything is simply pure rote memorization. If you want to pass the class and do well on the midterm and final (not cumulative), then you better memorize EVERYTHING he presents in lecture, the extra lectures on the CCLE, and the stuff from the books he assigns. Basically, he has a ton of lists that you have to memorize, explain, and give examples for on the midterm and final.

The midterm is 26 short answer (which have to be thorough, so they're not really that "short") questions, and 3 essay questions. 1 essay is from the Tannen book, and the others are from the lecture (if I remember correctly).
The final is 30 short answer, and 3 essays (1 from "Losing the News"), and the other 2 from lecture.
Again, the only way to do well is to memorize everything. And for short answer, he often tests on random concepts that he maybe mentioned once in class.

Professor Suman is a nice guy, but honestly, the stuff I learned from his lectures was definitely not worth the time, effort, and stress. Most of it is common sense put in lots of lists, and stuff you probably will never need to know in the future, unless you're a comm. major.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 21, 2013

Background: I was a freshman taking this course for GE credit.
Upperclassmen’s reactions? “DROP IT ASAP. IT’S A WEEDER CLASS”

I still took it.

Lecture: so this class was divided into two halves. The first half focused on interpersonal communication (aka dyadic communication) with a specialization in gender dynamics. The second half focused on mass media and society.

Grading: one midterm(26 short answers+ 3 essays in approximately 2 hours), one paper (paper topics are given at the beginning of the quarter), and one final (30 short answers +3 essays in 3 hours). The paper wasn’t hard, it basically wanted you to evaluate your surroundings and think critically. However, the gradings on all of these were harsh and subjective.

Advice? GET A GOOD TA. and discuss everything thoroughly, especially the possible essay topics on the tests, and make sure you run your thesis for your paper by your TA or the professor if you want to survive this class. GO TO LECTURE. I cannot stress this enough. Most of the short answers and essay topics on the test come from lecture. REVIEW THE CONCEPTS HE WRITES ON THE BOARD. Pretty much everything he puts on the board = really really important key concepts. DO THE READINGS. Don’t slack off till the last minute (because I sorta did on the second midterm and it was hell catching up.) and DO THE EXPERIMENTS EARLY. you will have to serve as a lab rat for the comm department, and I advise you to get your four hours over with as soon as possible especially since you don’t want to be scrambling to the comm department for testing on finals week.

Overall vibe: I took this class because the subject interested me. Professor Suman is no doubt a distinguished lecturer. He is an amiable, approachable professor who is always willing to offer help. I also took Comm 89, which was a quite interesting seminar (you get divided into groups and go out into the world to do communication field work in topics that interest you.) However, to be honest, this class was a lot of regurgitation and memorization of long long lists. Be prepared for lengthy hours devoted to this subject alone. By some miracle, I managed to get an A in this class, but I’ve heard of many people not keeping afloat. I devoted an enormous amount of time on this subject (but it was worth it, especially since it helped me figure out I’d like to become a comm major in the future). So good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Nov. 23, 2013

There's a reason why Comm majors take this class after they get into the major.
It's fucking hard!
Don't take this class as a GE. There's plenty of other easier GE's out there to take.
The discussion section isn't mandatory, but I do recommend attending it to review for the midterm and the final.
Like others have said, Suman expects you to memorize definitions word for word and the exams are blue book.
At least the reading is interesting, but I would say there is a lot of reading. I never finished all of it. I finished the Tanner book, but Taking Sides and Losing the News ... yeah didn't happen.
Difficult course, I got a C.
Like others have said as well, and A is unlikely, and getting a B requires a lot of effort.
Besides the difficulty, Suman is a great lecturer and the course material is incredibly interesting.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 11, 2015

SELLING ALL BOOKS NEEDED FOR COMM 10 FOR $60

Ordered them but decided to drop the class before the beginning of the quarter.

Text me if you're interested **********

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 28, 2014

selling all three required readings for COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES 10 for $25:
Losing the News
You Just Don't Understand
Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Media and Society

used, in great condition (only highlighter marks)

contact *************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 10, 2014

He makes boring subjects pretty interesting with his examples. He's a good professor and the class is not that hard, contrary to what most people say. Take it!

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Sept. 8, 2014

A very interesting but challenging class. I found it very enjoyable but you MUST study. This is not a class to be taken lightly if you want a good grade.

SELLING 3 REQUIRED BOOKS:
-You Just Don't Understand (Tannen)
-Losing the News
-Taking Sides

Email me at *************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
April 1, 2014

Really interesting but other people have said it all; you just literally have to memorize everything in lecture and write down lists.

Overall everything is interesting, but the amount of reading and memorization is just massive. All of his online articles, books, and things in lecture will be on the midterm and final.

The TA's discuss the books and reading a bit more in depth and can help you expand on some ideas but you can definitely get by skipping them. However they can give you really helpful tips on what to expect on midterms and what they are looking for in a paper so it's worth going to.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 31, 2014

selling two required books "Losing the News" and "Taking Sides"! good condition!
*************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Jan. 2, 2014

Selling all three textbooks required for Communication Studies 10 for $25. Books are in great condition! Email me if you're interested at *************

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 31, 2013

If you are a freshman looking to take this as a GE, my advice is DON'T. I stressed out about this class more than my classes for my major. Granted, I did get an A... but it was really stressful, time consuming, boring, and not easy.

Doing the required research participation is not difficult or time consuming - so that was a plus. You have to complete 4 hours of research participation to get 4 units of credit. Even though the stated time for each was either 1 hour or 1/2 hour, they usually took 45 min. max.

The 5-7 page paper due the 9th week is also not difficult, as it requires absolutely no outside research. However, because they don't give you back your paper until next quarter, I don't know how it was graded - but, I didn't get the grade on the paper that I thought I would.

As for lecture, the concepts are not difficult because the subject matter isn't conceptual - everything is simply pure rote memorization. If you want to pass the class and do well on the midterm and final (not cumulative), then you better memorize EVERYTHING he presents in lecture, the extra lectures on the CCLE, and the stuff from the books he assigns. Basically, he has a ton of lists that you have to memorize, explain, and give examples for on the midterm and final.

The midterm is 26 short answer (which have to be thorough, so they're not really that "short") questions, and 3 essay questions. 1 essay is from the Tannen book, and the others are from the lecture (if I remember correctly).
The final is 30 short answer, and 3 essays (1 from "Losing the News"), and the other 2 from lecture.
Again, the only way to do well is to memorize everything. And for short answer, he often tests on random concepts that he maybe mentioned once in class.

Professor Suman is a nice guy, but honestly, the stuff I learned from his lectures was definitely not worth the time, effort, and stress. Most of it is common sense put in lots of lists, and stuff you probably will never need to know in the future, unless you're a comm. major.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Dec. 21, 2013

Background: I was a freshman taking this course for GE credit.
Upperclassmen’s reactions? “DROP IT ASAP. IT’S A WEEDER CLASS”

I still took it.

Lecture: so this class was divided into two halves. The first half focused on interpersonal communication (aka dyadic communication) with a specialization in gender dynamics. The second half focused on mass media and society.

Grading: one midterm(26 short answers+ 3 essays in approximately 2 hours), one paper (paper topics are given at the beginning of the quarter), and one final (30 short answers +3 essays in 3 hours). The paper wasn’t hard, it basically wanted you to evaluate your surroundings and think critically. However, the gradings on all of these were harsh and subjective.

Advice? GET A GOOD TA. and discuss everything thoroughly, especially the possible essay topics on the tests, and make sure you run your thesis for your paper by your TA or the professor if you want to survive this class. GO TO LECTURE. I cannot stress this enough. Most of the short answers and essay topics on the test come from lecture. REVIEW THE CONCEPTS HE WRITES ON THE BOARD. Pretty much everything he puts on the board = really really important key concepts. DO THE READINGS. Don’t slack off till the last minute (because I sorta did on the second midterm and it was hell catching up.) and DO THE EXPERIMENTS EARLY. you will have to serve as a lab rat for the comm department, and I advise you to get your four hours over with as soon as possible especially since you don’t want to be scrambling to the comm department for testing on finals week.

Overall vibe: I took this class because the subject interested me. Professor Suman is no doubt a distinguished lecturer. He is an amiable, approachable professor who is always willing to offer help. I also took Comm 89, which was a quite interesting seminar (you get divided into groups and go out into the world to do communication field work in topics that interest you.) However, to be honest, this class was a lot of regurgitation and memorization of long long lists. Be prepared for lengthy hours devoted to this subject alone. By some miracle, I managed to get an A in this class, but I’ve heard of many people not keeping afloat. I devoted an enormous amount of time on this subject (but it was worth it, especially since it helped me figure out I’d like to become a comm major in the future). So good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

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Nov. 23, 2013

There's a reason why Comm majors take this class after they get into the major.
It's fucking hard!
Don't take this class as a GE. There's plenty of other easier GE's out there to take.
The discussion section isn't mandatory, but I do recommend attending it to review for the midterm and the final.
Like others have said, Suman expects you to memorize definitions word for word and the exams are blue book.
At least the reading is interesting, but I would say there is a lot of reading. I never finished all of it. I finished the Tanner book, but Taking Sides and Losing the News ... yeah didn't happen.
Difficult course, I got a C.
Like others have said as well, and A is unlikely, and getting a B requires a lot of effort.
Besides the difficulty, Suman is a great lecturer and the course material is incredibly interesting.

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