This class is a lot of information. I think that Suman's notes have circulated throughout half of UCLA by now, so if you are thinking of taking it I'm sure someone can e-mail you the word-for-word notes. The trick with that is that it's really tempting not to go to lecture, which is where you get screwed because you end up CRAMMING for the midterm and final. I've never had to attempt to cram so much information into my brain at one time. So it's a really interesting class, but GO TO LECTURE! And your grade also kinda depends on your TA, which sucks, because some grade easy and some grade hard. Just a matter of luck at that point...

go to lecture!! if you miss one, you'll be behind like 5 written pages of notes. write down everything he says and then memorize it for the tests. the paper topics are kind of interesting but the it's all up to your TA who grades it. not an easy A or an easy GE, there's a good deal of work involved so if you're not a comm major and don't need this class, i'd recommend a different GE. however, it's a good intro to comm studies if you want to get a feel for it and see if you want to major in it.

Suman is great, the class is a super easy if you go to lecture write what's in the board and memorize it for the test. it all depends on the T.A

Suman is an organized lecturer and a fair grader. He tries to be interesting in class and most of the time the class is pleasant and fun to sit through, even if it is for 2 hours. Comm 10 is a very interesting class and though it is pretty hard, it's very possible to get an A if you put the work in. Study ALL the keywords he puts up on the board, make flashcards and take good notes and you will be perfectly fine. Start the essay early and don't take it too lightly, it's a pretty big part of your grade.

This class was the most challenging and most interesting GE I have taken at UCLA. It was no easy ride, but I got an A, which goes to prove that doing well in the class is very possible. Suman seems cut and dry from his spot at the podium, but you will realize that he is very helpful and concerned about his students when speaking to him in person. Don't take the class's bad reputation to heart. If you are interested in the material, and you are a hard worker, go for it! I definitely recommend it.

This definitely is not an easy GE but it also is no where near as hard as percieved. It is easy to get a B in the class and possible to strive for an A. The midterm and final are reasonable but the readings are necessary but totally interesting. Suman is really a good lecturer because he always keeps class entertaining and even throws in a couple good jokes and statistics. He is just one of those teachers that is really difficult to not like.

memorize everything and you just might get an a. its frustrating to feel like you understand everything when you go to every lecture, discussion, and do all the readings and then get a b in the class. i would not take this as a ge because i could have done way less work in another class yet still gotten a better grade.

This class began as somewhat interesting, but just went into word for word notetaking. If we could get his lecture notes there would be absolutely no reason to go to class. You might be able to get them from someone who has taken the class before because the course has been EXACTLY the same for years. He makes some comments that make him seem as mature as a an immature frat boy, and that's saying something. Studying for the tests isn't so bad: all you have to do is memorize simple concepts like you would in a psych class. There's no need to understand any concepts because there aren't any.

The Tannen book is very biased, but it's easy to read. Make sure to read the handout for the midterm.

This class isn't as scary as everyone makes it out to be! I have to admit it is time-consuming but only takes about a week of studying before the midterm/final and a day or two for the paper to do well. The rest of the time just go to lecture and take notes! A laptop definitely makes it easier on your hands though. You can do practically nothing all quarter as long as you take notes, do the readings a reasonable amount of time before the tests, and go to section (also do the worksheets the TAs post on the class website)! Especially if you have Hector, he pretty much outlines what you need to know from the readings for the tests as a gift to students who bother to show up to section. Memorize anything Suman writes on the board, all the lists are fair game for essays. Go to review sessions, TALK TO YOUR TA about your paper before you have to turn it in (a lot of people think they can go without it, but the TAs are incredibly picky about the papers). Also for the essays, you practically have to give every example you can recall from lecture and put it on paper to get full credit. Simplifying your answer just to save time from writing so much won't help, it's all about how much you can regurgitate. Overall just memorize everything verbatim and it'll be an easy, straightforward A (not like you have to understand any complicated concepts or anything).

Amen to the comment below. Emphasis: a LOT of memorization and REALLY boring