Take this class if you want an easy GE. There is no discussion, and you only have to attend two lectures. He does take attendance through an app called Arkaive, but you can leave after you check in. I never read any of the required readings or paid close attention during the lecture, and I still passed the class. Of course, once the midterm or final essay comes, I encourage you to look at the slides and the readings. I do regret purchasing the "required" book since I never read it besides using it as a reference in my final essay.

TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU WANT TO BOOST YOUR GPA. Theres theres a midterm, some photo/art reviews (which I did pretty much the day they were due and got A's), a midterm, and a final essay which is 3, 3 page essays. I would recommend doing the essays a week in advance because it got in the way of studying for my finals, but overall It was pretty easy. Most people, including me, just sign in and leave. It's 2 days a week, no discussion. If you don't stay for the lectures, it won't matter cause everything is based on common sense.

This class was easily the biggest joke I've ever laughed through at UCLA. I went to every single lecture and can say with pure honesty that I haven't learned a single thing. I was disappointed; as a Cinema/Media studies student, I was extremely excited about the class, but it was an utter waste of 3 hours per week.

I will say one thing: they go on and on about how crucial the readings are to pass; I didn't read a single page (I literally did not open any of the books or even glance at the online readings) and yet finished the class with a B+. If you want a ridiculous(ly easy) GE class where all you have to do is show up and sign your name on an attendance sheet, maybe take a few basic notes while silently giggling at the fact that this professor sounds like Stewie Griffin, and write the essays the night before they're do, then DesMA 8 is the class for you!

Professor Lunenfeld is easily one of the most engaging professors I've had at UCLA. I finished this class and immediately looked for other classes to take with him. Would highly recommend him and any classes he offers, whether you're a DMA major or not!

This class was honestly a waste of my time. I thought that I would enjoy this class, even as a person who is a science major, because I do enjoy learning about media and all of its effects but i was WRONG. The lectures themselves were some of the most boring things I've ever had to sit through and I did not learn anything. Aside from their being barely any assignments [a photo response, 2 reviews, a midterm, and a final (which are three, 750 word essays)],no discussion, and only really having to check into class and being able to leave after(which I didn't always do), I regret taking this class. Most of my regret stems from the fact that the final is complete B.S. and asks questions that honestly only the professor would know the answer to since he literally makes up his own material (time periods, words, etc.) that does not actually exist, which means there is no other research you can do other than read his books (which also are very vague and do not make much sense). I was actually disappointed because I thought I was going to like the class. However, he did show a really good movie in class for a week and for that I am grateful.

Professor Lunenfeld's class was soo fun. He's a great professor and I'd highly recommend this class to anyone looking for an semi-easy GE. As long as you take notes on what the professor says you'll be set for an A.

I barely looked at the textbook, if I'm being honest. It's useful for the final essay (3 essays each 3 pages long) but other than that, you don't have to use it too much. The other readings he assigns are casual reads; doing them helps you understand what he's talking about in class but you reeaaaally don't have to do them if you don't want to.
The midterm was so flippin' easy as long as you study your notes. You're asked 4 questions, but you only choose 3, and write a one page description about it. This is in class but you'll be fine if you don't stress and pace yourself. Also, there's an opportunity to get extra credit on this exam.

You have to do a couple of 1-2 page photo responses- no biggie and maybe another assignment? I can't quite remember.

I'm selling a PDF for this class's textbook: Revolutions in Communication
Some guy sold it to me for $10, which is waaaay too much for a PDF, so I'm just charging like $3. If you want it, email me: Lilpapikian@gmail.com

Honestly, idk if I would say this is a very easy GE class. I was super excited to take this class b/c I was interested to learn more about media arts, but this class didn't really fulfill my expectations. The lectures were super boring which made most students just come in only to do attendance on the Archive app & leave right after. The other assignments such as picture response and exhibition reviews were super easy to do. However, the midterm and the final were kinda hard for me to answer b/c I had to incorporate materials from the lectures or the readings & it was hard for me to explain them in my own words. The questions definitely were challenging & required organizing & effort, and with my TA Tristan who was known to be that one DESMA TA who grades harshly, I struggled even more. Tristan was nice and understanding when I turned in my final paper 4 days late b/c of COVID-19 breakout, but it was a bit sad to get an A- from DESMA 8 where literally all of my other friends got an A or an A+. If you are a good writer, this class might be right for you, but if you hate and suck at writing as much as I do, then I would think about taking it. This class wasn't bad but wasn't the best either.

based af

Prepare to open you eyes and consider media from perspectives you may never have considered before. Lunenfeld's classes, especially this one, are nothing basic. You will delve into interesting and dense topics regarding the history of media and where it is going. These concepts are not particularly easy - but participate in the discussion and the lectures and you will find it enriching. The readings in this class can be hard, but they are some of the most interesting and perhaps revolutionary I have read at UCLA.

The class was not difficult and the content itself could be super interesting, but the professor's delivery was pretty boring. I always found it hard attempting to focus in his class, and taking notes never really seemed worth it making my motivation even lower. There are only a few assignments and they are not too bad as long as you meet the deadline. The most annoying thing about the class was that in person attendance is taken using a GPS app, meaning you can only select "here" if you are actually there in person. Towards the end of the quarter, people would gather outside of the Fowler and get close enough for the GPS to pick up that they were there and then leave....so I guess there is ways around it.