Michael W Suman
Department of Communication
AD
3.2
Overall Rating
Based on 319 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 3.2 / 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
Clear marks

Sorry, no enrollment data is available.

AD

Reviews (291)

15 of 30
15 of 30
Add your review...
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: B
Dec. 24, 2017

The workload of this class is crazy. NEVER take this class as a GE, especially for STEM majors. Taking this class as a GE is the worst decision I've ever made. The lecture material is kinda useful, but there are 3 books and 15ish online articles to read. And the professor doesn't use slides, so you have to be extremely focused and can't miss one lecture. The midterm and final exams are pretty hard, consisted with short answer questions and essays. Overall, the lecture is not bad if you are a comm major.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: B+
Dec. 21, 2017

I actually took this class kinda on accident. I dropped my cluster during week 2 and needed a GE and this was the only one available. I ended up liking the class so much that I’m now applying to be a comm major this summer (I was undeclared before). It’s an extremely interesting class and you can tell that Suman knows what he’s talking about. The class is really tough but honestly Suman tells you everything you need to know. There are a lot of readings (DO ALL OF THEM!) and the lectures are extremely important so if you want a good grade, GO TO CLASS AND LISTEN! I got A’s on both the midterm and final but bombed my essay so I ended up with a B+. His tests are REALLY specific but he gives you example questions that give you a feel of what the exam will be like so make sure to read those. Basically if you put in the effort, you’ll be happy with your grade! I also thought all of the readings were very interesting.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Spring 2017
Grade: B-
Oct. 14, 2017

This class is a weeder class for the Comm major. It is definitely difficult to get an A, but it is still one of my favorite classes I've taken at UCLA. Suman's lectures are very structured and easy to follow. He also makes a lot of jokes which makes the 2 hour lecture a little more entertaining. Overall, the material is generally straightforward, and he gives a lot of examples to make sure you understand the concept fully. However, you must take diligent notes because he doesn't use slides or post anything about lectures online. There is a midterm, a final, and a final paper, which are all graded toughly. You do get to use notes on the tests, but you must know even the smallest details because those will often be on the test. The final grade in the class is also curved. I don't regret taking this class, but it is definitely tough.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2016
Grade: B+
Oct. 14, 2017

I highly recommend attending every single class if you aim to do well. So much information is given during each lecture and it's almost all needed for the midterm and final. The paper requirements are very vague and open ended topic-wise. However, thoroughly discussing it with your TA could help clear things up and ensure you're on the right path.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Spring 2017
Grade: B
Oct. 2, 2017

This class is manageable if you really pay attention and take good notes. Prof Suman does not use slides, he writes on the board, and usually only writes the categories and names of what he's talking about, so you have to pay attention to what he is saying. He also doesn't allow laptops; notes should be hand-written (later comes in handy bc he lets you use a certain amount of pages of notes for the midterm and final). Overall an interesting class, but you must go to lectures.

Selling a midterm and final study guide if anyone is interested.
**********

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Summer 2017
Grade: A-
Sept. 21, 2017

I took COMMST10 during CSI, so the summer before my freshman year.

The concepts of the class seemed interesting and applicable to the real world. They are. Basically, we learned about interpersonal communication and mass media. A lot of my classmates came to this class with low expectations (probably because they read too many of these reviews) and they seemed to have a harder time than me.

As for Suman himself, he is a good lecturer, in my opinion. Since I was in a small class (~44 students), we had a lot of questions and answers asked during the lecture, which was nice.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PROS:
* If you can read and retain information, you should do fine on the tests
* The TA went over how to tackle the essays
* Open note exams (reading notes only, not lecture notes)
* Interesting content

CONS:
* A whole lot of reading (2 books and 16 online readings varying from 1 to 28 pages)
* Discussion sections were useful but not groundbreaking (basically people asking about the test)
* Essay was somewhat tricky and could sneak up on you if you are not paying attention
* Lectures are sort of fast, so if you miss something, you are behind

TIPS:
* Work an hour every day on this class, whether it be reading or the essay, etc.
* Paste the online readings to http://www.readsy.co/ to speed through them.
* There are several Quizlet sets for this class that really help with studying for the midterm/final.
* Take notes when you read, use those notes for your exams...be organized with them (I did a page per reading)
* Don't be afraid to ask for help, Suman responded to my emails and gave me valuable feedback for my essay
* Make acronyms for the lists from lecture when preparing for the exam

-Stegs

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2016
Grade: B
Sept. 21, 2017

Selling the 3 books needed for comm 10.
TAKING SIDES : MASS MEDIA & SOCIETY EDITION 13 : $15
LOSING THE NEWS: $5
YOU JUST DONT UNDERSTAND: $5

Selling all three as a bundle for $20.

If interested, please message **********

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: C-
Sept. 12, 2017

Selling You don't understand and Losing the news. Text me at ********** for info.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Summer 2016
Grade: A
July 14, 2017

[STILL AVAILABLE] Selling "You Just Don't Understand" PDF. Venmo only. Email *************.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2016
Grade: B
July 11, 2017

I enjoyed this class and thought the material was super interesting and engaging, and it's definitely a great overview of topics you'll explore further in upper division communications classes. Our TAs also really make an effort to keep reading material relevant to current events (i.e Fall 2016, how news coverage and structural changes in media impacted the election). Final and midterm are fairly easy, I'd highly recommend making acronyms for everything- all of it can be broken down into categories. From what I gathered from classmates and personal experience, the paper is going to be your biggest obstacle to an A, because the TAs grade with a lot of scrutiny. I have friends who are comm majors and bombed the paper. So utilize office hours!!

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: B
Dec. 24, 2017

The workload of this class is crazy. NEVER take this class as a GE, especially for STEM majors. Taking this class as a GE is the worst decision I've ever made. The lecture material is kinda useful, but there are 3 books and 15ish online articles to read. And the professor doesn't use slides, so you have to be extremely focused and can't miss one lecture. The midterm and final exams are pretty hard, consisted with short answer questions and essays. Overall, the lecture is not bad if you are a comm major.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: B+
Dec. 21, 2017

I actually took this class kinda on accident. I dropped my cluster during week 2 and needed a GE and this was the only one available. I ended up liking the class so much that I’m now applying to be a comm major this summer (I was undeclared before). It’s an extremely interesting class and you can tell that Suman knows what he’s talking about. The class is really tough but honestly Suman tells you everything you need to know. There are a lot of readings (DO ALL OF THEM!) and the lectures are extremely important so if you want a good grade, GO TO CLASS AND LISTEN! I got A’s on both the midterm and final but bombed my essay so I ended up with a B+. His tests are REALLY specific but he gives you example questions that give you a feel of what the exam will be like so make sure to read those. Basically if you put in the effort, you’ll be happy with your grade! I also thought all of the readings were very interesting.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Spring 2017
Grade: B-
Oct. 14, 2017

This class is a weeder class for the Comm major. It is definitely difficult to get an A, but it is still one of my favorite classes I've taken at UCLA. Suman's lectures are very structured and easy to follow. He also makes a lot of jokes which makes the 2 hour lecture a little more entertaining. Overall, the material is generally straightforward, and he gives a lot of examples to make sure you understand the concept fully. However, you must take diligent notes because he doesn't use slides or post anything about lectures online. There is a midterm, a final, and a final paper, which are all graded toughly. You do get to use notes on the tests, but you must know even the smallest details because those will often be on the test. The final grade in the class is also curved. I don't regret taking this class, but it is definitely tough.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2016
Grade: B+
Oct. 14, 2017

I highly recommend attending every single class if you aim to do well. So much information is given during each lecture and it's almost all needed for the midterm and final. The paper requirements are very vague and open ended topic-wise. However, thoroughly discussing it with your TA could help clear things up and ensure you're on the right path.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Spring 2017
Grade: B
Oct. 2, 2017

This class is manageable if you really pay attention and take good notes. Prof Suman does not use slides, he writes on the board, and usually only writes the categories and names of what he's talking about, so you have to pay attention to what he is saying. He also doesn't allow laptops; notes should be hand-written (later comes in handy bc he lets you use a certain amount of pages of notes for the midterm and final). Overall an interesting class, but you must go to lectures.

Selling a midterm and final study guide if anyone is interested.
**********

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Summer 2017
Grade: A-
Sept. 21, 2017

I took COMMST10 during CSI, so the summer before my freshman year.

The concepts of the class seemed interesting and applicable to the real world. They are. Basically, we learned about interpersonal communication and mass media. A lot of my classmates came to this class with low expectations (probably because they read too many of these reviews) and they seemed to have a harder time than me.

As for Suman himself, he is a good lecturer, in my opinion. Since I was in a small class (~44 students), we had a lot of questions and answers asked during the lecture, which was nice.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PROS:
* If you can read and retain information, you should do fine on the tests
* The TA went over how to tackle the essays
* Open note exams (reading notes only, not lecture notes)
* Interesting content

CONS:
* A whole lot of reading (2 books and 16 online readings varying from 1 to 28 pages)
* Discussion sections were useful but not groundbreaking (basically people asking about the test)
* Essay was somewhat tricky and could sneak up on you if you are not paying attention
* Lectures are sort of fast, so if you miss something, you are behind

TIPS:
* Work an hour every day on this class, whether it be reading or the essay, etc.
* Paste the online readings to http://www.readsy.co/ to speed through them.
* There are several Quizlet sets for this class that really help with studying for the midterm/final.
* Take notes when you read, use those notes for your exams...be organized with them (I did a page per reading)
* Don't be afraid to ask for help, Suman responded to my emails and gave me valuable feedback for my essay
* Make acronyms for the lists from lecture when preparing for the exam

-Stegs

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2016
Grade: B
Sept. 21, 2017

Selling the 3 books needed for comm 10.
TAKING SIDES : MASS MEDIA & SOCIETY EDITION 13 : $15
LOSING THE NEWS: $5
YOU JUST DONT UNDERSTAND: $5

Selling all three as a bundle for $20.

If interested, please message **********

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: C-
Sept. 12, 2017

Selling You don't understand and Losing the news. Text me at ********** for info.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Summer 2016
Grade: A
July 14, 2017

[STILL AVAILABLE] Selling "You Just Don't Understand" PDF. Venmo only. Email *************.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2016
Grade: B
July 11, 2017

I enjoyed this class and thought the material was super interesting and engaging, and it's definitely a great overview of topics you'll explore further in upper division communications classes. Our TAs also really make an effort to keep reading material relevant to current events (i.e Fall 2016, how news coverage and structural changes in media impacted the election). Final and midterm are fairly easy, I'd highly recommend making acronyms for everything- all of it can be broken down into categories. From what I gathered from classmates and personal experience, the paper is going to be your biggest obstacle to an A, because the TAs grade with a lot of scrutiny. I have friends who are comm majors and bombed the paper. So utilize office hours!!

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
15 of 30
3.2
Overall Rating
Based on 319 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 3.2 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

TOP TAGS

  • Tough Tests
    (111)
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