Agree with the other reviews from Spring 2023. This class was so hard for a 4 unit class. You definitely need to put in work to get an A. The midterm was one of the hardest midterms I have ever taken as a North campus major. Her midterm is multiple choice, but the questions and answers were so vague and specific at the same time. The final was online and it was a lot more easier. This class was also a lot of work for no reason and she sorta graded a little bit hard on discussion posts which was basically another paper on Black Mirror episodes. You have to write two papers; the first paper is about a film you choose from and the second paper is with a partner and you both get the same grade. If you're a comm major, I think you have to take this class, but if you're not a comm major, I would not recommend taking this class because it was so hard. I focused on this class more than my other major classes, and I think that should say something.

I was really interested in the course subject before taking the class but I can’t say the same after. Professor Kicenski is awesome and super funny but the way she explained already abstract concepts made them so much more confusing and I found that I was often lost as hell in class even though I took notes on everything. I didn’t gain anything useful from the class and it was a big factor in me reconsidering applying to the comm major and ultimately deciding not to. There’s 1 midterm and it was hard as shit, the average was a C. The final was take home and a little more straightforward than the midterm. There’s 3 papers total: 2 page max paper on a film of your choice from a list she provides, 2ish page paper on a Black Mirror episode of your choice from a list she provides, and a 5-6 page final paper with a partner. The first one was pretty easy and fun to do and I think she graded pretty leniently as I got a 100%. The next paper was graded a little harder but still fun to do (I love Black Mirror). The third was honestly just a little annoying. You have to pick a place, go to it, and connect it to some class concepts. You should be fine if you get a good partner. My partner and I chose a campus location so we didn’t have to meet up until the day the final paper was due lol. As long as you read the course reader and try on your papers you should do well, but I didn’t love this class. Pretty boring and hella confusing, I should’ve chosen another comm upper div. I wanted to drop it so many times!!!

This class was one of my first introductions to the comm studies upper divisions, and it was more philosophical and less structured than I expected it to be. Professor Kicenski delivered unique lectures on identity, pulling from European philosophy and also modern media which was refreshing, because she was able to directly relate course concepts to the students' lived experiences. She also frequently hosted class discussions and was open to hearing our feedback on the assignments, the exams, and even allowed us to interject during lecture if we were confused about the material. However, the lectures can veer on the side of being tangents, so try to understand her main points rather than taking verbatim notes and you'll be fine.

The grading breakdown is as follows: there's two exams, a midterm and a final, a blog post, a film review paper, and a visitation site paper which all compose your final grade. There's a course reader for the class, which I highly suggest you review before the exams as she tends to incorporate material from these supplemental assignments. Office hours are helpful to a certain extent, but be sure to come prepared with specific questions as the material can be a little dense sometimes. Overall, I enjoyed Professor Kicenski's class and would love to have her as my professor again!

This class is pretty chill and the professor is really nice. There are 2 papers, 3 exams, and 1 mini presentation with a partner on a place of your choosing that represents identity. The papers are straightforward and relatively short at 2 pages. Her grading is fair, so put some work into it and you'll be fine. The exams are tricky because she asks really specific questions with multiple answers seeming like the right one. The study guide is helpful but make sure to review your notes and really understand the concepts/people involved to get a good grade. The final paper is with a partner where you choose a place that can represent identity and use concepts from the class to prove your point. Pretty easy if you get a good partner and get the work done on time. The presentation is super informal. You talk about your paper with 2 other groups and thats it. Chill class but do the work to get an A.

Please keep in mind I took this course during the covid-19 pandemic and everything was online. Dr. Kicenski is such a sweet and understanding professor! Concepts are honestly really confusing and quite philosophical, but Professor does her best to explain them. The course reader was useful and needed for exams, but exam questions were mostly drawn from her lectures. Exams are worded a bit confusing and are tricky, but if you watch all the lectures and do the reading you will be fine. Lectures were all recorded and posted along with the powerpoint slides on CCLE. There were 2 individual papers that were only two pages, 3 exams, and one final paper with a partner along with a "presentation" (informal sharing in a break-out room) and two 2-paged peer reviews on another pair's paper. As always, choose your partner wisely. I highly recommend this course and I would be down to take it again. Dr. Kicenski rocks!