Class was ok. This class is on virology and contagion, then tied into social networking. For example, you'll learn math formulas and topics surrounding the concept of contagion, then it's applied to social networks. Topics are interesting but quizzes will be very random and on the smallest things (in a three hours class the entire quiz we had was on a chart that was only shown and not discussed) Midterm was difficult but final was a little easier. All exams and quizzes are intentionally wordy and confusing to help you learn, but it is ineffective and leaves you feeling unprepared for the final. Homework assignments are cool but take many hours to complete. I wouldn't really recommend this class because it can be frustrating. Being asked questions on exams that are so left field is disappointing, coming from someone that studied rigorously. Utilize the TA cause Professor doesn't show up for most office hours without notice. Do any extra credit if offered. Do the homework early, it takes hours, literally 15 hours per assignment for me. Buggy software and complex structure makes the assignments long. This class has so much potential, but fails to meet the mark. Spent all quarter overwhelmingly stressed about my grade.

This is probably one of the most interesting classes I've taken so far at UCLA. Lamberson is an amazing professor and takes time at the beginning of each class to answer questions and engage with students. He says he teaches the course as a modified MBA class so there's a heavy focus on marketing and how social network structures can inform marketing strategies, which was really cool. There's a midterm, final, and three homework assignments (no required readings). The software you have to use for the homeworks can be buggy and difficult, but is overall interesting to use. Would definitely recommend taking this class as the technology and digital systems core requirement!

8 in class quizzes, during the first minutes of class. they're pretty easy to nail, although wording can be a bit confusing. midterm is harder than final. try to memorise or write down quizzes as he tends to reuse questions for the tests. 3 assignments in total, using a program called gephi. overall, this is one of the easiest classes i've ever taken. just be sure to take good notes!

The title of this class is very misleading as it is about literal social network graphs of people and connections. I personally thought this class was going to be about social media but I honestly feel like I learned some cool stuff about how things go viral etc. Lamberson is a nice professor but the weekly quizzes were not my favorite. They did serve well as a midterm and final study guide, though. When Lamberson explains concepts it’s not always super clear at first as he is very analytical and smart so I feel like I was able to fully grasp concepts working with other classmates and studying in groups. I’m glad I didn’t drop this class after seeing what it was all about on the first day because I feel like it was genuinely interesting but don’t take it if you’re not ready to study hard for the tests. Also the graph assignments take awhile to do, the final project took me 3 whole days alone but I actually enjoyed doing it and seeing the graph come together at the end was weirdly exciting. Overall: good but challenging class that isn’t that difficult to get an A or B in if you study!

This class is incredibly straightforward. Simply going to lecture, taking notes, and reviewing them is enough to do well.The homework assignments will probably take about 5-6 hours per assignment, but you will have plenty of time to do them. The professor is really mindful of people's workloads and he will often move deadlines around to accommodate people.

The midterm was simply a repeat of many of the quiz questions. If a concept is too complicated, feel free to stop him and he will happily spend a whole lecture clarifying it. He doesn't let anyone leave his class confused and he welcomes questions. He uses slides, but the slides are not very helpful unless you go to class so lecture attendance is important. He also has weekly quizzes, but they are pretty easy if you review the lectures about 10 minutes before class (and they also help you minimize study time for the midterm/final).

All in all, I recommend this class.

As a graduating senior at UCLA, this is hands down one of my favorite -- if not-- my favorite class I've ever taken. Professor Lamberson is a very adept professor who teaches at a great pace, ensuring everyone is following the materials, and seems to really care. The concepts of this class are super applicable in the real world, especially for people trying to go into marketing and social media, and I find myself leaving the class more interested in this area of study than I would have expected going in. I actually enjoyed going to class lol

None of the workload was too much or out of left field. The quizzes are definitely hard... and I think some of them are worded somewhat ambiguously but the tests are more moderate.

If anyone is looking to take a class that is super interesting, and taught by a really nice and caring professor I would recommend it!

Comm156 with Lamberson can be frustrating. He's a funny guy and that's nice, but it's also clear that a lot of the quizzes (six per quarter) and tests (midterm and final) are meant to be tricky. That's part of learning, obviously, but it doesn't necessarily feel like genuine learning vs. figuring out the ins-and-outs of his questions. The tests felt easier and were what boosted my grade. I attribute that in large part to figuring out how he words things.

Overall this class wasn't too bad in the end but ONLY take it if you're SURE the other computer system communications core classes are harder...

- This whole class covers unnecessary concepts that you natively know but don't think about, and it ALL revolves around the same point he makes clear in the FIRST class... It just gets boring and boring...
-His power points have VERY few words so it is very useful to take notes.
-He makes us do 6 easy in class quizzes but the lowest grade is cancelled. The quizzes are all like 5 questions consisting of true or false, multiple choice (of 2 options), and drawing ones.
-There's no textbook required
-His midterm is like the quizzes in question types but WAAAAY harder (multiple choices have up to 5 choices this time) and he basically said after everyone got a bad grade "the midterm was hard so I can separate who just knows the facts, and who knows how to apply these facts"
-He assigns some readings online but they are not necessary at ALL
-There's 2 homework assignments in the Gephi application he makes you download, and theres one class he devotes to teaching how to use Gephi (for these homework go to the professor or T.A. since this is the only thing the useless T.A. will know how to help its students so use him/her!!!)
-Office Hours are horrible cuz the professor is suuuuuper nice and helpful but he has too many students who want to ask him questions so there's even times when a student won't get time to speak with him (by the end of the quarter he used a system of signing up for 10-minute slots for office hours) which means only 6 students could sign up which is horrible.... make him invent a newer system for office hour that will benefit everyone...
-The final was SURPIRISINGLY more easy than the midterm (and sooooo short to be a final exam) and people did way better in the final. The final exam was actually more like the quizes than the midterm.

Interesting topic. Wording in quizzes and exams can be confusing.
Projects are fun, but difficult to create networks using the software.

Professor Lamberson is amazing. Absolutely brilliant to learn from, a great communicator, and super helpful. COMM 156 is such a fun class. Not too much work, and the "required" readings are not really required. Just come to class and you're pretty much guaranteeing yourself a good grade. 5 Quizzes per quarter, and the lowest grade is dropped -- he does have a tendency to make the wording intentionally tricky to make sure you actually understand the material. Exams are mostly multiple choice and super feasible. Also 2 really cool homework assignments are included in your grade. Would recommend him to anyone. Great upper division course, if you need to take one!