Despite the temptation, only take notes on concepts written on the board. I suggest underlining terms that he puts on there. With so much information to remember, you'd get overwhelmed otherwise. Also, be extremely specific. I missed correlation even though I got the concept because I forgot to state it didn't lead to causation, instead writing it didn't mean causation. For the essay portion, it's probably impossible to get full credit even if you understand everything, you'll probably end up with Ds. To increase your score, write a good intro and conclusion, be specific, and give more than one example for each thing you have to list. For instance, I wrote that Mary may have had a bad mood, which caused her to percieve the play badly, when I should have been more specific and listed the reason why Mary was in a bad mood. It's not easy to get an A in the class, but it is a very interesting subject, especially if you want to get into Comm Studs, and if you do get an A it will look good on your application to get into the major. That said, despite the 80-60-40 scale for ABC it's still a difficult class with a lot of memorization, so try to start memorizing well before the tests and test your friends, it'll help you memorize it more. And since the lists are otherwise impossible to memorize, use acronyms, from cspenn to melscramp, to help you know the lists, then write them out for the essays as soon as you get the test. Even if you do the readings meticulously, you will still end up missing questions, but read it very thoroughly nonetheless.

He's a really good professor because he outlines everything for you, and writes all the important points on the board. The first half of the class was very clear and concise and easy to follow. However, the second half of the class, it was a bit ambiguous what is important to take notes on, though he does specify that what he writes on the board is important, however, you're still doubtful. Its a lot of information to memorize, but it was overall a fun class. I got an A on my midterm and Term Paper, but the final is worth a lot, cause it brought me down to a B+ X_x make sure you study!

Don't take it as a GE. Wish I listened. Suman is a good professor, he really tries to make his lectures fun but sometimes they are flat out boring. Your grade really depends on your TA. Take it if it's for your major if not find somethin' else cause this class ain't that easy. Especially after the 1st midterm.

Took the class last quarter. Got an A, but this class really isn't worth it. If you are considering taking this class for a GE requirement, don't even think about it. You don't really get much out of the class, and I know very few people who took the class that were actually happy with their grades.

Despite all the complementary evaluations I have to say I found the class a bit ridiculous. He likes you to be able to regurgitate the notes. The topics are entertaining but all the "insights" unbearably mundane. It feels like a waste of time and besides the little interesting tidbits, there was a lack of anything significant or deep.

I was curious about this major so I decided to take this GE. I have heard that this class is avoided by those that are in the major; they usually take it later in their career at ucla. It's very interesting, yet a bit tedious. I did not think the material was hard AT ALL. I loved how Suman organized his lectures and exams; it was very reasonable and fair. Quite honestly, it is a very straightforward class. Take this class only if you're willing to stop procrastinating studying for the exams, as we all do. It is the kind of class that you NEED to study for. NOT only during finals week, trust me. I've learned with my grade. But I deserved it.

I absolutely loved Suman. He is such a great professor and person. I took the honors seminar as well and really enjoyed doing the experiment.

Awesome professor. Great class, take it. Learned a LOT. And still remember. And don't even THINK about trying to save your GPA, what's better, GPA or actual learning? If you want a preview, just go to his first lecture, you'll see how awesome it is.
Exams aren't actually that bad. So don't be so scared, whoever says Comm 10 is scary is wrong. The reason why they say that is because you have a lot of material to memorize, and need to be precise on the exams.
I was also in his honors section and it's really great. You should take it. Also, the paper is important, do well on it. I got A- and got a B- on the midterm.

This was pretty hard for a GE -- don't take it unless it really interests you. Don't expect an easy A. I got an A- but I spent a lot of time studying and writing the paper.
The paper topics were a bit difficult for me but I went to office hours with my TA to discuss it. This really helped me. She had great advice (I had Hui Kim).
Be prepared to take a lot of notes for this class and memorize all of them. The material is really not that difficult... The memorization is the problem. Also, the Taking Sides book is pretty dense reading and not very interesting, and a lot of the final is based on it.
All in all, take good notes (try as hard as you can not to fall asleep), go to discussion (even if you think you understand the reading), maybe visit office hours for the paper, and don't procrastinate too long studying for the final. But the bottom line is I wish I would have gotten an easier GE... If you can take something else that seems more interesting, go for it.

It's very easy to get a B or A- in this course. A's take some work. I got an A but put some time in the course to study for the exams and I met with my TA. I wouldn't say it's difficult unless you don't go to class or have really bad notes. But then again under those circumstances, what class isn't? Suman can be funny at times and the material engaging depending on your likes.

I had the head-TA which I think helped. He looks young. He's a bit arrogant at times, but cool, funny, and very helpful. I also heard he's the easiest grader compared to the other TA's but then again maybe I'm biased because I got an A in the class.
Go to lecture, study your notes. If you average at least a high B/B+ on the midterm then your half way there. Work on the paper with your TA should at least put you in a B+ to A- range on the paper which is a good place to be going into the final.

If you take this class in the summer then you are in luck! A friend took it and there is less information you are tested on!! The exams are easier, and I hear the head TA teaches the sections for the summer class. My friend aced this class and looking at her notes, I know there was less information given to them.

Bottom line, in terms of UCLA classes, I don't think it's that hard but takes some attention. Logically, the more attention you give the higher the grade. If you can take it in the summer then do it. Either way, put effort into the class and you'll be alright.

This class was interesting at the beginning, but then it began to get really boring. There were times when it was extremely difficult to stay awake, especially with people next to me sleeping. The concepts are very subjective, and the class was difficult, it is a lot of memorization. Overall, if I had the chance, I would not have taken the class. So if you don't have to take this class, DON'T.