COMM 1800

I just want to let incoming first years know that the grade distribution does not at all accurately reflect how difficult the course is now. The grade distribution is from before Bob Kemp tried to make the class stupidly hard. It is a terrible class, do not take it unless you know you want to go to the comm school. It is so irrelevant that it is no longer included in the mini GPA for the comm school. I also did decently in the class, but did not learn a single thing. The grading is based on how much you pay attention to discreet details mentioned in the additional videos and readings.

This class is an awful prerequisite for an amazing program here at UVA. Bob Kemp changed the course dramatically sometime in the last two years to the point where the grade distribution you see above is not to be taken seriously to any degree whatsoever. Taking great notes from the textbook and doing the practices quizzes will get you a B on the exams. What gets you the A is memorizing the most minute details from lectures and from watching pointless videos and reading lengthy articles that he links on the class website. Overall, do not take this class unless you are dead set on McIntire.

Kemp is only here because teaching the class and collecting royalties from the textbook (that he wrote and makes you buy) creates more value for him than being in the business world. He uses this class to do nothing more than stroke his ego in front of college kids and probably make over $1M a year to do so. He makes it unnecessarily hard by having take aways from current events that require you to remember his exact wording. Reading the textbook makes me feel like I am getting dumber as it has statements like "An entrepreneur is someone who takes part in entrepreneurship." and actually teaches you nothing. It is a pain and I suggest if you don't want to do comm be sure not to take it. It is not the "easy A" it used to be there are other more interesting and easy classes here. I never planned to do comm only took it for a background in business, and I can say I left with just as good of an understanding of it before as I did after. It was a waste of my tuition especially knowing the other phenomenal classes I could have taken here.

LET ME BE REAL WITH YOU ABOUT THIS CLASS. I know a lot of you are probably taking this class because you are pre-comm. Well here is the low down. The class really is not THAT difficult. It will definitely be TOUGH, and if you don't like the material, it will suck a lot more than it has to, but if you do like the material you will find the class takes more persistence than anything. The tests come straight from the textbook, lecture, and practice problems. HOWEVER, THIS CLASS REWARDS YOU PUTTING YOUR BUTT DOWN AND STUDYING FOR THE TEST. This means actually taking notes on all the online material, and reading the textbook. The A is a 95, which is high, but if you put your butt down the weekend before a test, you will get it! It is possible. The people who struggled were the ones who just did not know how to study for extended periods of time. The class isn't too hard, but here is a lot of content. I personally loved Professor Kemp and wish I could take more classes with him in a smaller class setting. Not everyone does like him, but he really is a nice class. He covers a lot of material, but don't be super discouraged because business in practice is very different than business in a textbook. You just have to stay on top of the class. I believe in you!

I do not learn anything from this course...

I hate this class. I thought I wanted to be Pre-comm until I took this class. his class showed my an environment of boring business, I don't want to be a part of.

This course was garbage. Absolute trash.

Very easy class if you actually do the work thoroughly. For the Additional Readings and Discussion Videos, if they're under 10 minutes, they're worth watching and taking some notes. The readings take about 30 minutes to an hour, and the Problem Sets take around 2-3 hrs. if you want to get an A. Also, write down and memorize Kemp's Takeaways on current events. This class is an easy A- but can be an A with a little extra work.

The class itself is occasionally interesting but is mostly pretty mundane. Kemp is very organized and knows what he's talking. After a couple lectures, you'll get used to his mannerisms and sayings.

Incredibly easy, boring, and dry course. Honestly, the exams are so easy, especially if you go to lecture. It's boring, but it'll help. Easy class, just make sure to do all assignments and practice quizzes on Cognella.

Kemp is actually a really nice professor who genuinely wants to ensure that the students understand the material. Going to class is not necessarily at all, you can get the takeaways from your friends. The 3 tests in this class are incredibly easy, you just have to memorize the textbook/current events/additional readings - basically this class is complete recall of information and not actual analysis or application. I feel that it gives you a good introduction to business topics and although it isn't the most interesting material it is still useful to know. I would take it even if you're not sure you will be applying to the Comm school, because it's very straightforward and not challenging at all. You just have to be willing to put in the minimum amount of work to do well on the tests and you will be completely fine.