Awesome class. She is very enthusiastic and makes class interesting. You can tell she loves what she does. Tests can be tricky - you have to really study, but she does make study guides. Great professor - I recommend her.

Best 245 professor! Very sweet and genuine...very hard tests though. makes you work for your grade. Classes are close to 200 people but get to know her, she can really help you on a personal level....STUDY HARD, she gives out a study-guide

Tests are hard, but you'll enjoy the class overall.

She is the sweetest lady ever... tests are really hard, but you can do well if you work hard. Has great examples and makes class a blast!

Not an easy class. You must go to every class, read both books, and listen as much as possible. She's an awesome lady and willing to help you out during office hours and before/after class. Tests are very difficult. 3 tests and a final...only grades

I'm not going to lie, this class is hard. She makes it interesting, but you have to study 2353462345 hours for her tests, study guides end up being 8 pages long, and averages are always around 75. Good luck- she's nice but extremely difficult.

This class is harder than it should be. They're just trying to weed people out from trying to get into SCOM major. Hard tests. At least there's study guides. She's starting to add EC opportunities, which is good.

Not a bad class at all. If you study for her tests you'll do great. If you dont you are doomed no joke. AWESOME teacher and very fun. I suggest you get her for 245. You learn a lot!

She is a FUNNY teacher and i love her. she tries to relate everything we learn in that class to our everyday lives. She is really helpful and clear. She offers some extra credit, and makes you want to come to class everyday.

She's a really nice lady and plays AWESOME music before class....she is willing to discuss ANYTHING too...her tests are quite hard but read the material and you should be fine....notes are posted on blackboard too!

Awesome. Tests are extremely hard so study like whoa. Offers extra credit and takes unfair questions off tests, so that helps. Also pretty funny and down to earth with da kidz. Only class I have perfect attendance in this semester, and there is no attendance policy like most of my other courses!

She is a great teacher, but she offers a challenge. Tests are hard and require a good amount of time, but if you are willing to put forth the effort you'll be happy with your grade. Go to class, she explains the concepts in detail and makes them easy to understand. Shes really nice and funny.

Challenging but do-able. I used to the study guide and really studied for 2 tests and did really well. I did not use the study guide and studied not so much for the other two and got C's. So use the study guides. She loves teaching and it is a really fun class. Just don't slack off, and read.

I really like her as a teacher. She brings in films and music. Her tests are hard but she gives study guides and puts notes on Blackboard.

tests are hard but class is fun and gives you many tools to help study for exam..helps to study in groups to get the concepts better bc the stuff is graduate level material

she works hard to keep us interested. tests are very hard, but the study guides on blackboard are a big help. study and you'll do well.

Gretchen's tests are pretty tough, but if you work really hard and do the study guides, it will pay off. She definately has some opinions, but does a good job of keeping the class entertained during lecture.

I love coming to this class each week. She's such an animated professor and she's not afraid to curse in class :) The tests are hard, no doubt, but do the study guides and write down every example she gives in class. I definetely reccomend studying with someone else to really get a good feel for the info.

At 8:00 AM she is full of energy. Works hard to help, very willing to meet outside of class. For a gen ed class, this one isn't bad.

her tests are really hard, but it definitely prepares you for the final. She's very willing to help - go see her before you present! She will tell you exactly what she wants, and then if you do it you will do well!! She's great, very enthusiastic and she really wants you to succeed...just study hard for the tests!

She's a wonderful person, but the material is boring and tests are hard. If you want a decent grade you have to do all the readings and study guides. If you have to take the class be ready to put forth effort to get a good grade.

Professor Hazard is an extremely kind person who is generous with her time. You don't learn all that much during you class time, but she always makes class fun and uses creative ways to help you learn material. 4 presentations, two tests, which are EXTREMELY hard. I wouldn't seek her out to take her class, but you will have a nice experience

Gretchen is probably one of the best teachers I have had here are JMU. She wants all her students to do well but you need to work for it. Her classes are entertaining and she does a good job in helping you to understand the material. She is always willing to help you with what ever you need. if you were smart, you would TAKE HER!! :)

Gretchen has been extremely helpful with my questions about the SCOM major. She is more than willing to go over any questions that you may have about anything and does want you to do well. 245 is definetly a hard class but Gretchen will help you...great SCOM professor.

Gretchen is a fun professor and makes class interesting, but she definitely makes you work for your grade. The class has about 150 people and your grade is based on 4 exams. Exams are HARD. DEFINITELY use the Study Mate she gives to you on blackboard . Make sure you go to class and read the book!

Gretchen is amazing. Class is hard and but her lectures are great, one of the only professors ive had that I was actully learning new material every day from the lectures. If you want to do well in communications and actully learn the material and not coast by, take Gretchen.

Gretchen is amazing. She is so passionate about the subject. I had mono the week of one of four tests and she moved it around for me. She is so nice. The tests are hard, but if you study, they're manageable. TAKE GRETCHEN!

Not as easy as I anticipated. Lectures were energetic, and Gretchen loves her subject, but tests were much more difficult than could have been anticipated. Final was a lot easier than any test all year.

no attendance, but go to class! She is so much fun, an awesome professor, for a lecture class, it was very personal, she gives a lecture on the word f*ck at the end of the year. some extra credit, 4 online tests, but dont slack off- harder than i thought, read the book, go to class, you wont sleep through it. ended with a C+

Hazard is extremely interesting; however, this will be the hardest class you take for Comm. If at all possible, do not take Hazard for the reason that you will absolutely NOT pass. The tests are close to impossible. She says she wants to see us succeed, but I find that hard to believe with the difficulty level of the tests.

Interesting class. 4 tests, no attendance policy, but you will want to go because the lectures help a lot. The tests are not bad, she curves by about 3-5 questions for each test. She gives you all the notes on blackboard, plus study guides. Study and go to the lectures and you will do well in her class.

Prof. Hazard is an AMAZING professor ... one of the best teachers I've ever had. Extremely knowledgeable and incredibly ENGAGING. Make sure you do the readings and definitely (DEFINITELY) use the StudyMate guides if you want to do well on exams. Definitely would recommend her to anyone looking for an interesting class to take a lot from!!

Amazing teacher but ridiculously hard tests. The material presented in class but when applied on the test, it is very difficult. Go to every lecture and study your butt off. She is so interesting (had a lecture on the word F*CK) and fun. She will do everything to help out her students, go into office hours! STUDY STUDY STUDY

This has been one of my favorite classes at JMU- Gretchen is the best! VERY good at explaining concepts, uses everyday examples to make things clear, entertaining. Material is challenging- dont be fooled by the toned down slides. Use Studymate to study for tests (on blackboard). Great class though, very very interesting, never had a boring class.

Interesting lady. No morals, but that doesn't matter. Class time was often pointless, but would occaisionally hint at what was on the tests, which were hard, even with studying the book. But got a B. Class was fun, but we didn't really learn much, I found the book most helpful. She is nice and willing to help you, so hey, could be worse.

Desire to understand Communication? Look up the word Semiotics. Eschew "Text Message Mentality". Prof Gretchen will give you her own eye teeth to help you comprehend this vital subject. Ask her! She writes on the blackboard for a REASON. Utilize it! Cultural Contexts are COMPLEX! Gives one an excuse to courageously UTILIZE one's Brain. Brava, Prof!

She prides her tests on being hard, and they are. I thought she was entertaining during lectures, she tried to make it fun for everyone. Yes you have to work for tests, but half of the final were her questions. She does group tests which boost your grade anyway. Really helpful with speeches. she wants you to do well not fail! I enjoyed this class.

The class is hard, you really have to study from the book and lectures in order to get a good grade. Hazard cares about her students, and lectures aren't bad to go to even though attendance isn't required. I'd take her again.

She was enthusiastic and relatable. She made everything interesting!

She is an extremely enthusiastic professor. She will do anything in her power to help you succeed. You can only miss two classes, but she's not boring so it's not bad! Plus, she gives awesome feedback with your speeches and helps a great deal with preparing your speeches. Take this class!

LOVE HER. She is extremely enthusiastic about her course, and she will do anything to help you understand and succeed. She relies on the textbook and so does your grade, so read it! But, it's really interesting. Her enthusiasm may come off as a bit exhausting sometimes, but you'll ALWAYS understand the lecture with her.

Gretchen is very understanding and breaks down these otherwise confusing communication concepts. She tells you from the beginning of class that she grades generously, so if you get a few bad grades, don't worry! She will curve/bump them up!

She has by far been my favorite teacher at JMU. She knows her stuff and is super helpful. She made sure from the first class that we all became good acquaintances and she helps participation in class seem natural. Tests may not exactly follow class discussion, but she takes a full class before each test to answer each study guide question!LOVE HER

Gretchen is awesome! Very funny and understanding of the student life style. Will help if needed and shows a lot of interest in students. Tough grader and you have to work for it. She rarely awards A's, but was worth taking the class for all the presentation skills learned and fun we had! Really only need book for studying final.

Gretchen is FANTASTIC. The material for this class is very conceptual and application-based, and she does a wonderful job organizing it and explaining it. She knows her stuff. And she is 100% for the success of her students. Take this class and gain a new favorite teacher.

Gretchen is a great teacher but a VERY harsh grader. Lectures are always entertaining and she will definitely push you to be the best speaker you can be.

She purposely grades the assignment really really hard so you show improvement, so dont be scared. Tests are hard but there are only a few and theyre online. Two individual speeches and one group. She's not a fan of notes though so you have to know your stuff. Kind of annoying at times but enthusiastic and really willing to help. Meet with her!

She is a TOUGH grader. The tests are NOT easy. She is so enthusiastic about her content and also really sexual and funny at times. She is helpful when you go to her and actually cares, but she maybe spent 5 days actually lecturing about CONTENT that was on the tests. Beware. If you want a challenge but a funny class, go ahead.

Gretchen is the best SCOM professor you could ask for. If you want to learn and improve your skills this the class for you. It may not be an easy A but it is definitely not hard to get an A as you grade yourself. She is 100% there for her students and wants you to succeed. One of my favorite professors at JMU.

The class is full of lectures, but they are entertaining. Hazard is a tough grader but prepared you well for the final. It's not an easy A, but you can get a good grade if you put a slightly above average amount of work into it. The tests are hard, but they aren't worth too much. Overall I enjoyed her, but not everyone did.

Gretchen likes to come on here and write terrible reviews about herself so she's doesn't get awful students so ignore the ones that says she's awful. She's hilarious, caring, and explains everything. She's a difficult grader when it comes to presentations but she will work with you. She prepares you well for th SCOM final in an entertaining way 3

Gretchen is so much fun. Her lectures are so interesting and enjoyable. She gives really great feedback on all assignments and really wants to help to make sure you get the best grade possible. Come to class and ask for help with your presentations and it'll be a piece of cake.

A very compassionate lady who makes you think insightfully and teaches you to be a better presenter. Her grading criteria is very sporadic but as long as you put a lot of effort into your work and listen to the tips she gives for each assignment in class you should be fine. She's very "hip" for her age which made for an enjoyably relaxing class.

Gretchen has been the best professor I've had at JMU so far. She always had a fun and positive attitude in class which made SCOM so much more. While her class is tough at times, she always gives you a solid foundation to be successful in the course and beyond. Would recommend if you want a positive SCOM experience.

Gretchen is one of the best professors I've had at JMU. She wants to connect with her students and definitely cares about their success. She is a tough grader, but the feedback she gives makes it easy to improve. I highly recommend taking her class to make the most out of your scam experience.

Never read textbook all semester, just fill out the study guide on canvas and you'll be fine. The group projects took quite a bit of work but not A LOT. Gretchen is such a fun teacher too, she's spunky and fun. She can be intimidating at times but you learn to get over it. By the end of the class you will more than likely detest most of your group

Gretchen makes you work, but it is respected and necessary. She wants us to do well in this class and at JMU as a whole. Great professor. Sometimes can be brutal, but it is just to make us better communicators. Easy B.

Prof Hazard is such a sweet heart during lectures but don't let that fool you, she grades pretty ruthlessly so unless you're putting in a good amount of effort (to a GENERAL education course) this will not be an easy A. Prepare accordingly.

professor Hazard is definitely not the easiest SCOM teacher but she definitely knows what shes doing. grades hard but wants to see her students achieve and if you treat her with respect in class shell be more than happy to give you help when needed. probably not the easiest class for this gen ed but definitely improved my pub speaking skills

An amazing professor! She'a a tough grader, but you learn a lot in her class. My public speaking skills increased dramatically throughout the semester and I attribute a lot of my progress to the structure of her class and her feedback. Also, would def recommend taking 121 cuz you have 2 individual speeches and 1 group, so best of both worlds.

Gretchen has such a bubbly personality and is such a fun lady that she made scom enjoyable. Class was super easy and if you just show up, you'll have a B. Only grades are 3 tests (study bc they're hard) and 3 speeches. Tough grader though. Most classes she talked about how to present speeches, never any homework - honestly super easy class.

Professor Hazard was a great professor. She really cares about her students' success and makes herself available to you if you need help. She is a tough grader and you have to work for your grades but it's easy to get an A if you put in the effort.

I LOVE! she is so funny and amazing. she really respects your opinion and if you participate in class she will love you.

She is a great professor, from my experience she encourages all of her students to be comfortable with one another and want each other to succeed. She gives good constructive criticism and you do have to work for a good grade. The tests are difficult but she makes herself available if you need help. Very funny and sets a good tone for her class.

Gretchen is a straight to the point professor, but along with that she's respectful. She allows you as an adult learner to bring your best foot forward on a number of assignments. I loved that she had us do a solo speech, because it took me out of my comfort zone and I was quite pleased with my progression in doing that and the results of my grade.

Prof. Hazard is a very interesting teacher. She made class welcoming and enjoyable. There were times she would get really political about things, but you just have to ignore it. Tests were hard for me because it is all about applying the information you learn.

Gretchen is a great professor for SCOM. I personally dont think she really prepared me for the tests, but for the final exam 100%. I got a 89 on it! You can tell she loves what she does because she brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the class. Take advantage of her help, she really wants her students to succeed!

TAKE THIS PROFESSOR. She is literally the sweetest lady and cares so much about her students. I have felt so prepared for every assignment she's given. She does require participation but it's mostly on your own terms and that determines your grade, volunteer your thoughts and you'll be just fine. She keeps long lectures engaging.