Professor
Abigail Goldman
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2025 - This is one of the most engaging classes I'eve ever taken at UCLA. Stylized a little like one of those law school seminars you see on TV, Professor Goldman cold calls one her students to answer questions (if class participation is terrifying for you, this probably isn't the class) and draws members of the class into discussion. I think the real strength of this class is that there are no right answers: Goldman draws in the nuance of each individual case by allowing and encouraging people to argue both sides, without prejudicing the conversation on her own opinion. Her tests ask you to argue both sides of a fictional case, meaning that you need to be well versed in the key principles but do not need specific memorization to succeed in the class. The reading was required but not massively arduous – think 15-20 page case summaries each week. I would thoroughly recommend this class!
Spring 2025 - This is one of the most engaging classes I'eve ever taken at UCLA. Stylized a little like one of those law school seminars you see on TV, Professor Goldman cold calls one her students to answer questions (if class participation is terrifying for you, this probably isn't the class) and draws members of the class into discussion. I think the real strength of this class is that there are no right answers: Goldman draws in the nuance of each individual case by allowing and encouraging people to argue both sides, without prejudicing the conversation on her own opinion. Her tests ask you to argue both sides of a fictional case, meaning that you need to be well versed in the key principles but do not need specific memorization to succeed in the class. The reading was required but not massively arduous – think 15-20 page case summaries each week. I would thoroughly recommend this class!
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Most Helpful Review
Professor Goldman knows her stuff inside and out. Be prepared: She expects her students to develop strong critical thinking skills. At first, the class seems pretty easy, but the discussions on media ethics are tougher than you might imagine and will leave you thinking - and probably changing sides midstream, on occasion. Every class includes debates on a variety of issues based on case studies you have to analyze before class. The debates are informal (not everyone talks in every class) You can't get by unless you participate and offer intelligent, insightful comments (on either side of a debate). She holds the class to high standards, in oral debates and writing and brings out the best in students. It was well worth my time and a lot of fun. I highly recommend this class, and I highly recommend Professor Goldman.
Professor Goldman knows her stuff inside and out. Be prepared: She expects her students to develop strong critical thinking skills. At first, the class seems pretty easy, but the discussions on media ethics are tougher than you might imagine and will leave you thinking - and probably changing sides midstream, on occasion. Every class includes debates on a variety of issues based on case studies you have to analyze before class. The debates are informal (not everyone talks in every class) You can't get by unless you participate and offer intelligent, insightful comments (on either side of a debate). She holds the class to high standards, in oral debates and writing and brings out the best in students. It was well worth my time and a lot of fun. I highly recommend this class, and I highly recommend Professor Goldman.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2022 - I was very disappointed by this class. At the beginning, it seems super interesting because you read cool journalism case studies and the professor requires you to participate in class without technology. As the course goes on, however, most people became overwhelmed by how long the readings were and how in-depth you were supposed to know them for the tests. Your grade is almost entirely based upon the midterm and final, which are long, difficult, and require a lot of writing. If you struggle with test-taking or want to take an easy Communications elective, this isn't the class for you.
Spring 2022 - I was very disappointed by this class. At the beginning, it seems super interesting because you read cool journalism case studies and the professor requires you to participate in class without technology. As the course goes on, however, most people became overwhelmed by how long the readings were and how in-depth you were supposed to know them for the tests. Your grade is almost entirely based upon the midterm and final, which are long, difficult, and require a lot of writing. If you struggle with test-taking or want to take an easy Communications elective, this isn't the class for you.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2025 - Abbe is a really strong writing coach: you feel your writing get consistently better each week (and I say this as someone who was already a strong writer to begin with). This also is the rare example of a no devices class where the instructional rule enhances the experience. I would say that you need to be prepared for a lot of feedback and harsh grading on your work: she will probably give you constructive criticisms that is 2-3x the length of what you initially wrote. Her class time also is spent largely on writing rules but without getting much practice in so the time you spend on the homework (which is once a week, on a under 48 hour turnaround) is pivotal. If you're willing to face that critical feedback, this is a class worth taking but its not for you if you just want an easy grade.
Winter 2025 - Abbe is a really strong writing coach: you feel your writing get consistently better each week (and I say this as someone who was already a strong writer to begin with). This also is the rare example of a no devices class where the instructional rule enhances the experience. I would say that you need to be prepared for a lot of feedback and harsh grading on your work: she will probably give you constructive criticisms that is 2-3x the length of what you initially wrote. Her class time also is spent largely on writing rules but without getting much practice in so the time you spend on the homework (which is once a week, on a under 48 hour turnaround) is pivotal. If you're willing to face that critical feedback, this is a class worth taking but its not for you if you just want an easy grade.
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