COMM 160
Political Communication
Description: (Formerly numbered Communication Studies 160.) Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Study of nature and function of communication in political sphere; analysis of contemporary and historical communications within established political institutions; state papers; deliberative discourses; electoral campaigns. Letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Baum isn't as boring as some of these reviews make him out to me...but I did fall asleep in his class a lot. I think this had more to with the class being in the middle of the day and the really dim lighting in Perloff, though. This class is very interesting, especially if you're interested in politics, the media or both. Oh, and as for the difficulty ratings for Baum...did we take the same class? Because I found this class, even though it was really interesting, to be a complete breeze. Everything is written. The tests are essays and the final is a massive paper. Baum's class is only hard if you never open the reader. In that case, this class will destroy you...the reader's huge.
Baum isn't as boring as some of these reviews make him out to me...but I did fall asleep in his class a lot. I think this had more to with the class being in the middle of the day and the really dim lighting in Perloff, though. This class is very interesting, especially if you're interested in politics, the media or both. Oh, and as for the difficulty ratings for Baum...did we take the same class? Because I found this class, even though it was really interesting, to be a complete breeze. Everything is written. The tests are essays and the final is a massive paper. Baum's class is only hard if you never open the reader. In that case, this class will destroy you...the reader's huge.
Most Helpful Review
Great guy. Very funny and used effective analogies. He reminds me of Conan O'Brien!! HOWEVER, you have no idea what direction the class is going as far as the upcoming exam-the final (no midterm in this class). He keeps you busy with all these assignments that are unrelated to the lectures in their practicality, for example: he has you make 2 commercials that take a about 6-10 hours each on a political candidate using some computer program at the IMPL lab, etc. By the time it gets near the final, you are expected to know about 800 pages worth of stuff altogether on political strategies of the media, different branches of gov't, etc. You are moving in two different directions in the quarter and you have no idea what you're supposed to know or be studying for until he lays it on you about a week before the final. You CAN NOT slack on the reading, there is NO WAY you can catch up at the end of the quarter. If you lose control of the readings, I advise you to drop the class or accept that you might get lucky and get away with a B if you study 24/7 the week before the final. He is very personable and cool but I would not recommend this class unless it's a major requirement you need to fulfill to graduate.
Great guy. Very funny and used effective analogies. He reminds me of Conan O'Brien!! HOWEVER, you have no idea what direction the class is going as far as the upcoming exam-the final (no midterm in this class). He keeps you busy with all these assignments that are unrelated to the lectures in their practicality, for example: he has you make 2 commercials that take a about 6-10 hours each on a political candidate using some computer program at the IMPL lab, etc. By the time it gets near the final, you are expected to know about 800 pages worth of stuff altogether on political strategies of the media, different branches of gov't, etc. You are moving in two different directions in the quarter and you have no idea what you're supposed to know or be studying for until he lays it on you about a week before the final. You CAN NOT slack on the reading, there is NO WAY you can catch up at the end of the quarter. If you lose control of the readings, I advise you to drop the class or accept that you might get lucky and get away with a B if you study 24/7 the week before the final. He is very personable and cool but I would not recommend this class unless it's a major requirement you need to fulfill to graduate.
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Most Helpful Review
The long evaluation preceding mine is just plain wrong. Is this a time-consuming course? Yes. If you cannot handle it, shame on you. Maybe you shouldn't have chosen UCLA. The 3 hour iMovie thing could have been avoided by a.) simply emailing the Prof. Kernell and saying "I do not need training for iMovie; I am proficient in it." (I know how incredibly difficult that must be) or b0 fast-forwarding until you get the completion. To say she doesn't care about students with disabilities or those with children/commuters is just plain ridiculous. She was one of the most caring professors. How many do you know that take the time to learn almost EVERY SINGLE PERSON'S NAME?????? She is the only Professor I have ever had to care to do this. Also, I have had SEVERAL courses that do not allow computers and if you are a Comm major, you will need to take Comm10 and Suman doesn't allow electronics either. Some professors due this based on RESEARCH that PROVES that students learn better by handwriting notes. Sorry that you cant go on facebook for a damn hour and 15 minutes. She DOES NOT force you to buy a Mac.. LOL That is just insane to say. My specific group used iMovie, but she that if you are proficient on another platformt hat you could use that instead. Plus, it was a 3 person group and, at least in my group, only ONE person had a Mac and used it for iMovie. You could have rented an iClicker and if not she gave you the option of taking the quizzes at the front of the class. Does that sounds like someone who does not accommodate her students? NO. Plus, one should be thankful that JUST CLICKING IN GIVES YOU 12 FREE PERCENTAGE POINTS. THAT IS GENEROUS. Most of the quizzes were easy enough to guess right even f you had not done the readings. Lastly, on this topic, she gives you plenty of time and even makes sure that each student has their clicker out before she starts the quiz. Then she READS THE QUESTION AND OPTIONS THROUGH FOR US TWICE. If you didn't have enough time, you deserve to lose those points. Again, these clickers are NOT mandatory if you for 2 minutes sit in front of class and take a paper quiz. She was an excellent professor with excellent material and engaging lectures. She continuously allotted time for us to break into discussion groups and collaborate with our peers, another refreshing rarity on this campus. She had several videos that were fun and relevant to the material, which made class that much better. I went to her after class, or in Office Hours a few times and felt she was genuinely helpful and caring! To say otherwise baffles me. She even cares to ask about your personal life and is encouraging and helpful if youa re at all confused. NEVER would she belittle someone. Though, at times, the workload was a lot I would recommend this class because I think you will learn A LOT and be forced to think in a new way. If you don't want to do the work and read a lot, then don't take this class. You don't deserve to. However, if you come to UCLA to get, oh, I don't know, an EDUCATION, then I urge you to take this engaging course with an AMAZING, CARING Professor. Georgia Kernell should be placed under review by the Academic Senate Committee and considered for an AWARD. :) BAM!
The long evaluation preceding mine is just plain wrong. Is this a time-consuming course? Yes. If you cannot handle it, shame on you. Maybe you shouldn't have chosen UCLA. The 3 hour iMovie thing could have been avoided by a.) simply emailing the Prof. Kernell and saying "I do not need training for iMovie; I am proficient in it." (I know how incredibly difficult that must be) or b0 fast-forwarding until you get the completion. To say she doesn't care about students with disabilities or those with children/commuters is just plain ridiculous. She was one of the most caring professors. How many do you know that take the time to learn almost EVERY SINGLE PERSON'S NAME?????? She is the only Professor I have ever had to care to do this. Also, I have had SEVERAL courses that do not allow computers and if you are a Comm major, you will need to take Comm10 and Suman doesn't allow electronics either. Some professors due this based on RESEARCH that PROVES that students learn better by handwriting notes. Sorry that you cant go on facebook for a damn hour and 15 minutes. She DOES NOT force you to buy a Mac.. LOL That is just insane to say. My specific group used iMovie, but she that if you are proficient on another platformt hat you could use that instead. Plus, it was a 3 person group and, at least in my group, only ONE person had a Mac and used it for iMovie. You could have rented an iClicker and if not she gave you the option of taking the quizzes at the front of the class. Does that sounds like someone who does not accommodate her students? NO. Plus, one should be thankful that JUST CLICKING IN GIVES YOU 12 FREE PERCENTAGE POINTS. THAT IS GENEROUS. Most of the quizzes were easy enough to guess right even f you had not done the readings. Lastly, on this topic, she gives you plenty of time and even makes sure that each student has their clicker out before she starts the quiz. Then she READS THE QUESTION AND OPTIONS THROUGH FOR US TWICE. If you didn't have enough time, you deserve to lose those points. Again, these clickers are NOT mandatory if you for 2 minutes sit in front of class and take a paper quiz. She was an excellent professor with excellent material and engaging lectures. She continuously allotted time for us to break into discussion groups and collaborate with our peers, another refreshing rarity on this campus. She had several videos that were fun and relevant to the material, which made class that much better. I went to her after class, or in Office Hours a few times and felt she was genuinely helpful and caring! To say otherwise baffles me. She even cares to ask about your personal life and is encouraging and helpful if youa re at all confused. NEVER would she belittle someone. Though, at times, the workload was a lot I would recommend this class because I think you will learn A LOT and be forced to think in a new way. If you don't want to do the work and read a lot, then don't take this class. You don't deserve to. However, if you come to UCLA to get, oh, I don't know, an EDUCATION, then I urge you to take this engaging course with an AMAZING, CARING Professor. Georgia Kernell should be placed under review by the Academic Senate Committee and considered for an AWARD. :) BAM!
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