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.

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Reviews (291)

24 of 30
24 of 30
Add your review...
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 11, 2008

TAKING THIS CLASS WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE!

Suman is a great professor because he is interesting and the lectures are basic knowledge but when you get to the midterm its the hardest thing in the world to write down an interpretation of the topics discussed in class. The TA's are very hard graders they seem to keep the A's for the ones who memorize every single detail in class. This class is hard and its really difficult to memorize everything they want you to for the midterm and final

AVOID!

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
June 27, 2008

Ditto exactly to the comment before mine. I agree completely! Thought I did well on the midterm and paper, but ended up with a B. I was especially annoyed about the paper--I had it edited a few times and felt that I wrote a pretty good paper too, but got a B+ on the it. Worst of all--comparing myself to the class curve, I noticed that the TA's were really stingy and hard about giving out A's this quarter. Only about 14 people out of the 300 students got A's on the paper.
Not to mention the final. That was ridiculous.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
June 23, 2008

This class really isn't about being the smartest - a lot is luck. I got one of the highest scores on the midterm (which is DEFINITELY easier than the final, not because of the books but because of the nit-picky questions asked) and ended with a B in the class - definitely not used to Bs. My essay got an 18.5/30 raw, which translated to a B- with the curve...the essays don't even get returned so you don't know how they graded. On top of that, I read all of these reviews coming into the class knowing what to do. I spent two weeks on this essay and thought it was great, I've never written a bad essay in my life, and this grade was a slap in the face with how much effort I put in. The final asks very detailed questions, and it's difficult because the midterm scores set the curve, but since the final is harder than the midterm, everyone gets nailed. Basically, good luck and memorize everything. Don't believe him when he says that things will only be on the final if he writes them on the board - complete bullshit statement. One short answer question was "What type of novels does Oprah recommend?" I mean I got that question but it was completely irrelevant and a sidenote he made. Be careful.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
May 8, 2008

This is seriously a terrible class. Such a pain. I won't say much else trying to say so and so is good NO this class is not good at all. It's horrible all the way around. Im a science major and Ive been through A LOT of weeder courses in my lifetime, but for a NORTH CAMPUS class? It's amazing what kind of Sh** they can pull to turn a north campus-suppose-to-be-easy-as-hell class into the most obsurd thing you've seen in your life.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 31, 2008

Suman is a very knowledgeable professor. He's very nice one-on-one and the material is extremely interesting. I agree with people on the site who say don't take it unless it's required of you. It's really hard for a GE course, only because the midterm and final are word vomit style (aka spitting out lectures word for word in 26 short answers and 3 essays). There is A LOT to take notes on. Write down everything AND get notes from people who have already taken the course. Since your grade is based only on the midterm, essay, and final, you don't have much room to screw up.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Feb. 12, 2008

If you're applying to be a Comm major, don't shy away from this class! Even though they say not to take Comm10 before you actually get accepted into the Comm progam because it's so hard, you should take it. If you're like me and your GPA is just O.K. and you want to get into comm, take Comm 10, study hard and kick it's ass. It'll definitely impress them and I'm sure if i hadn't taken comm10 and done well i wouldn't be a comm major now. That being said, it is a ton of memorization. Take your laptop, type down everything suman says, and study the terms he puts up on the board.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Jan. 9, 2008

This class required obscene amounts of memorization for the midterm and final. I had over 50 pages of handwritten notes for the midterm, and 80 for the final which had to be memorized- almost word for word- with lists upon lists that had to be regurgitated on the midterm/final. That said, if you can do the memorization, an A is definitely achievable. Get Hector as a T.A. , he was incredible. Went over the readings so well, and has a sixth sense for what test questions will be, so you're more then prepared. He also had a great teaching style. So basically, try not to take this course with other difficult ones, because it'll kick your butt come midterm/final time.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Nov. 22, 2007

I really wouldn't recommend this class if it is not a Req for your major or unless you are somehow really interested in Communications... That being said, the class is really not hard. Minimal readings, everything on the tests is written on the board and honestly, he hasn't changed those key words that he puts on the board in years so... go find someone elses old notes... or just stay awake, its really not hard and his examples can be really good and interesting albiet old fashioned. This class is incredibly straight forward, middie, paper, final and done. So, don't fear this class, just enjoy it, take notes and get through.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Aug. 22, 2007

Like all the other reviews said, its strictly memorization thats really not that hard. bring your laptop to class though and make sure you really take down everything he says. my advice is maybe a couple days before the midterm/final make notecards of all the lists and definition and you're pretty much set. try to get Hector as your TA because hes the best and go to his office hours before the essay is due, he's actually pretty helpful.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 9, 2007

Go to lecture and memorize everything on the board. People say this class is a challenge, but honestly, you can get an A if you do the work. (It's not like you need to understand difficult concepts. Memorize the stages of relationships or the history of radio, and whatever else and you can get an A. Stop complaining, it's NOT that hard.) Whether you're a science major or pre-comm student, anyone is capable of memorizing the material. It's actually really interesting, especially the info before the midterm. Probably not the easiest GE, but I definitely got an A by re-reading my notes and making flashcards a night or two before the exams. If you're thinking of applying to the comm major, take this class. Suman's lectures are long, but he an interesting guy and I mean, if you have to sit in lecture for 2 hours, at least it's about people and how people communicate. It's relevant and includes material from flirting and arguing to the pervasiveness of media. Oh, and take the honors section because it's exceptionally easy - you do a research experiment with a small group on human interaction. It's fun, and you'll get an A if you do a good job.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 11, 2008

TAKING THIS CLASS WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE!

Suman is a great professor because he is interesting and the lectures are basic knowledge but when you get to the midterm its the hardest thing in the world to write down an interpretation of the topics discussed in class. The TA's are very hard graders they seem to keep the A's for the ones who memorize every single detail in class. This class is hard and its really difficult to memorize everything they want you to for the midterm and final

AVOID!

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
June 27, 2008

Ditto exactly to the comment before mine. I agree completely! Thought I did well on the midterm and paper, but ended up with a B. I was especially annoyed about the paper--I had it edited a few times and felt that I wrote a pretty good paper too, but got a B+ on the it. Worst of all--comparing myself to the class curve, I noticed that the TA's were really stingy and hard about giving out A's this quarter. Only about 14 people out of the 300 students got A's on the paper.
Not to mention the final. That was ridiculous.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
June 23, 2008

This class really isn't about being the smartest - a lot is luck. I got one of the highest scores on the midterm (which is DEFINITELY easier than the final, not because of the books but because of the nit-picky questions asked) and ended with a B in the class - definitely not used to Bs. My essay got an 18.5/30 raw, which translated to a B- with the curve...the essays don't even get returned so you don't know how they graded. On top of that, I read all of these reviews coming into the class knowing what to do. I spent two weeks on this essay and thought it was great, I've never written a bad essay in my life, and this grade was a slap in the face with how much effort I put in. The final asks very detailed questions, and it's difficult because the midterm scores set the curve, but since the final is harder than the midterm, everyone gets nailed. Basically, good luck and memorize everything. Don't believe him when he says that things will only be on the final if he writes them on the board - complete bullshit statement. One short answer question was "What type of novels does Oprah recommend?" I mean I got that question but it was completely irrelevant and a sidenote he made. Be careful.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
May 8, 2008

This is seriously a terrible class. Such a pain. I won't say much else trying to say so and so is good NO this class is not good at all. It's horrible all the way around. Im a science major and Ive been through A LOT of weeder courses in my lifetime, but for a NORTH CAMPUS class? It's amazing what kind of Sh** they can pull to turn a north campus-suppose-to-be-easy-as-hell class into the most obsurd thing you've seen in your life.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 31, 2008

Suman is a very knowledgeable professor. He's very nice one-on-one and the material is extremely interesting. I agree with people on the site who say don't take it unless it's required of you. It's really hard for a GE course, only because the midterm and final are word vomit style (aka spitting out lectures word for word in 26 short answers and 3 essays). There is A LOT to take notes on. Write down everything AND get notes from people who have already taken the course. Since your grade is based only on the midterm, essay, and final, you don't have much room to screw up.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Feb. 12, 2008

If you're applying to be a Comm major, don't shy away from this class! Even though they say not to take Comm10 before you actually get accepted into the Comm progam because it's so hard, you should take it. If you're like me and your GPA is just O.K. and you want to get into comm, take Comm 10, study hard and kick it's ass. It'll definitely impress them and I'm sure if i hadn't taken comm10 and done well i wouldn't be a comm major now. That being said, it is a ton of memorization. Take your laptop, type down everything suman says, and study the terms he puts up on the board.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Jan. 9, 2008

This class required obscene amounts of memorization for the midterm and final. I had over 50 pages of handwritten notes for the midterm, and 80 for the final which had to be memorized- almost word for word- with lists upon lists that had to be regurgitated on the midterm/final. That said, if you can do the memorization, an A is definitely achievable. Get Hector as a T.A. , he was incredible. Went over the readings so well, and has a sixth sense for what test questions will be, so you're more then prepared. He also had a great teaching style. So basically, try not to take this course with other difficult ones, because it'll kick your butt come midterm/final time.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Nov. 22, 2007

I really wouldn't recommend this class if it is not a Req for your major or unless you are somehow really interested in Communications... That being said, the class is really not hard. Minimal readings, everything on the tests is written on the board and honestly, he hasn't changed those key words that he puts on the board in years so... go find someone elses old notes... or just stay awake, its really not hard and his examples can be really good and interesting albiet old fashioned. This class is incredibly straight forward, middie, paper, final and done. So, don't fear this class, just enjoy it, take notes and get through.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Aug. 22, 2007

Like all the other reviews said, its strictly memorization thats really not that hard. bring your laptop to class though and make sure you really take down everything he says. my advice is maybe a couple days before the midterm/final make notecards of all the lists and definition and you're pretty much set. try to get Hector as your TA because hes the best and go to his office hours before the essay is due, he's actually pretty helpful.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
July 9, 2007

Go to lecture and memorize everything on the board. People say this class is a challenge, but honestly, you can get an A if you do the work. (It's not like you need to understand difficult concepts. Memorize the stages of relationships or the history of radio, and whatever else and you can get an A. Stop complaining, it's NOT that hard.) Whether you're a science major or pre-comm student, anyone is capable of memorizing the material. It's actually really interesting, especially the info before the midterm. Probably not the easiest GE, but I definitely got an A by re-reading my notes and making flashcards a night or two before the exams. If you're thinking of applying to the comm major, take this class. Suman's lectures are long, but he an interesting guy and I mean, if you have to sit in lecture for 2 hours, at least it's about people and how people communicate. It's relevant and includes material from flirting and arguing to the pervasiveness of media. Oh, and take the honors section because it's exceptionally easy - you do a research experiment with a small group on human interaction. It's fun, and you'll get an A if you do a good job.

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