MDST 2000

Class isn't too hard, Williams gives extra credit, so go to class for that. Content is interesting for someone interested in Media Studies, but I can see how others can get bored. He gives a bit of reading, and expects you to absorb all of it without giving it much attention. He tries to be funny and he has a lot of real-life examples to make the content more interesting.

Professor Williams is kind of funny/entertaining, so props for that. However, Media Studies is really boring and lectures involve a lot of statistics. It's hard to stay awake in class, and if he catches you sleeping, it makes him pretty mad. It's a good way to fulfill Humanities area requirements with a 4 credit class though. The midterm was hard.

This lecture was SO boring, his lectures are way behind where you are in the readings. My TA was good (Francesca Tripodi) but she was a hard grader. The mid term is multiple choice and essay…grading depends on your TA. Make sure you do the collar readings. Class isn't that hard but it also isn't very interesting….I took digital media which was way better with Siva and this class deterred me from media studies. Pretty easy for 4 credit class but wouldn't recommend.

This course wasn't too difficult-- I recommend staying on top of the readings and attending lecture (there are opinion-based iClicker questions in class and you get points for being there to answer them). There are two essays, which are both pretty easy and interesting to write (I got a B and an A). The tests aren't too difficult, either. Just make sure to read the textbook and the articles. Ahrum was my TA and he was AWESOME. Just a really, really cool guy. I took this class as a first year and I would recommend it to anyone.

The fall 2014 semester was taught by both Bruce Williams and Andre Cavalcante, and they were both great. Both of them brought totally different perspectives on the media world, and both opinions provided to be very informative. This class and this subject as a whole is very relatable to the evolving world around us, and this course was filled with information that I found to be useful in the real world. There are two papers, both interesting to write, a midterm, and a final. The midterm and the final are very straightforward as well, although you must read the textbook very carefully, as some of the questions can be very specific. Also, if you can get Stephanie Doktor as a TA, sign up for her section. She's amazing and really cares about her students.

I personally thought he was interesting and funny, but some people were definitely turned off by his dry sense of humor. This is one of the most interesting and fulfilling classes I have taken at UVA, so far as the subject matter. I have recommended it to many people already!

Williams is very passionate about the class, although he often tries to instill his own beliefs and political views into his students' minds. He additionally is not afraid to share his opinions or call out people in the classroom. Participation during lecture is not mandatory but it is during discussion. There are weekly homework quizzes online, two papers, a midterm, and a final. The tests are pretty heavily lecture-based, so if you attend class and listen you should be fine. It's also helpful that he posts the PowerPoints on Collab before the exams. Overall, it wasn't my favorite class, but Williams is pretty fair and it is a pre requisite for the Media Studies major.

Obviously you have to take this class to get into the major, but don't make your decision off of this class- because its topic matter isn't the best. Its kinda boring/dry compared to the other media studies classes you could be taking- just power through it and know that this class is only a basis (and a boring one at that). It gets better!! #tcf2016

Do not under any circumstance take this class with Williams. He will not teach anything about media studies during the lectures and will only try to instill his political views on his students. It takes him about four lectures to get through one set of slides and he typically just complains about politics and is very okay with creating a political divide in his classroom. If you're looking for class that will be informative and interesting, look elsewhere. If you must take this class (Godspeed to you) then please take it with another professor. You will not learn anything in Williams's class.

A bit boring and dry. Kind of common sense information. The professor is a good lecturer. If you read from the book, you'll be fine. Weekly quizzes on each chapter. Two papers 5-7 pages which are pretty easy. Midterm wasn't too bad either; easy to get a B.