COMM 1800

I took this course online and also as the first revised version with profs Wright, Jenkins, Seaborn, Willhelm, and Netemeyer. All of the instructors were bright people, and they taught a couple of classes. The format of the class is too ambitious, ineffective and confusing. It wasn't a horrible class, and any applicants to the Comm. School have to take this course anyways...
For this class we used a communication platform named Discord which made everything less inviting. It was the main way to talk to TAs and professors. We also used Blackboard and Gradescope.
The reading wasn't a lot; many of the readings were very interesting. The infamous work groups (called small teams) were back in this edition of the class. Assigned at the beginning, your group members can be a deterrent to the class, and thus, McIntire itself. I recommend not to concern yourself about how they'll turn out and just focus on the class material. There was at least a small group project every two weeks – not too hard, but you need to remember to do them. Establish a good communication.
For the majority of the class the structure of daily classes are 1. lecture 2. breakout groups (aka large teams, equivalent of discussions sections) for discussions 3. (occasional) breakout to small team 4. debrief in large teams 5. debrief in lecture. EXTREMELY INEFFECTIVE AND REPETITIVE. Lectures got boring super quickly. For participation you have to post something on discord after classes and talk during large team discussions (which also got repetitive because people were competing to say the same thing).
Professor Netemyer's was the most engaging portion because it focused on Marketing. It highlighted more relatable companies and brands. He also invited the Two Blind Brothers (alumni from UVA who started a clothing company) to talk to the class. Their stories were inspiring and touching. I'm so glad Netemeyer teaches us a lot about corporate social responsibility.
There were two exams, and a final, along with a final group project. The finals were all short answer questions. Not super hard, but it got harder to expect what the right answers. The grading seems arbitrary. Beware the final group project due during finals week. Start it at least a week before it's due. Most likely you'll forget about it because of your finals, and so will your teammates. Everyone must do a decent portion of work on this report.
#tCFspring2021