Pretty easy class, pretty easy tests, pretty easy prof.

easy for survey, I heard the other classes were harder though

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This class is tough, considering that it's freshman-level. I learned a lot, though, and it really has applied to later RTVF classes. I had to study really hard, but I got an A. I love Dr. McGettigan!

you better work in her class. She's especially tough if you have aesthetics, which she treats as a weed out class. She's much better if you have her for upper level classes

She knows her movies and cinema very well. A challenging class, but you definitely learn a ton. I loved the viewing sessions for movies. Study hard and you can get an A or B.

Very hard, but well worth the effort that you need to put in to do well. She definitely knows her stuff. READ!!!!!

pretty easy class. you just have to go over your notes and study bf exams.

I had her for aesthetics, and that was not a pleasant experience. Half of the class failed, and I scraped away with a C. She's clear and a nice lady, but the class I took with her wasn't too good.

So many haters out there. Just study your stuff and try hard and she's there for you. She's a sweet lady and an excellent teacher.

She's not too bad. She really knows so much about film and if you ask her something she doesn't know, she'll look up the answer. She only gives 2 tests and a final--mess up on one and you are screwed.

Joan is amazing. Anyone who says she isn't never made any attempt to get to know her.

Knows the information very well-just takes little tiny pieces of information and puts them on the test. Very good at getting the information across to us. Read everything.

JMcG is NOT the best Survey prof; Kompare is. McGettigan's 3 exams are all difficult w/ tricky T/F that I never seem to remember going over in class. However, she will do whatever she can to help you out. Overall, I can't complain about my "A.&quo

I love this woman. She really knows her stuff, and is good at teaching what she knows. The class IS fairly hard but if you keep up, it's a cinch. The in-class critiques were the hardest part for me. A very nice lady.

I love this woman! She is smart, interesting, and so very cute and little! Go and talk to her at least. Tests are tough but if you study and go to labs and read you'll do okay.

What a great class! All you whiners just don't want to work for your grade This is college! You're meant to be challenged! She's great, very friendly, and know a freakish amount about film. Take every class she offers...or I'll thump yer skull fer ya

Joan is awesome. I'll agree that she is tough, but its nothing you can't handle...this is college. I made an A in her class and learned a lot. She has a true passion for the cinema and anyone who takes her class will see that.

She has quite a passion and really knows her stuff. She is helpful but hard and her tests are difficult.

OMG her tests are so very hard and detailed. make sure to put in alot of time and read the book. Go to film labs, and TAKE NOTES ON CLIPS shown in class. Her tests are all multiple choice, but damn hard, quizes are easier after the first one.

I thought this class was very easy. Study the vocab in the book and what little notes she gives you (I had about 8 pages for the whole sem.), and of course watch the movies and youre good. She is very nice and knowledgeable, and the films were interesting

She is very organized and her class is well planned out. She is very nice and helpful. Quizzes are a killer, but tests are managable.

Once you are out of the beginner classes with her, you are golden. She treats her beginner classes like weed-outs, making sure by the end of the class only dedicated RTVF majors are left. After that, the nicest and most helpful professor. She knows film!

Class is interesting and 1/2 the time you watch movies. Only studied 3 nights (right before each test). Read notes and go to class and also read text for test if you want to get better grade. Not a blow off. Some how got an A in class (very lucky)

She's very difficult, but a good teacher; you know your stuff by the end. High expectations from students aren't a bad thing. And A is NOT impossible to get; just keep up w/ readings & assigned films & know imp. terms. In class she seems stern, but she's incredibly sweet & helpful w/ everything.

McGettigan is a great professor. I think most people don't like her because she is hard, but I remember more from her class than most. So back off her! she's awesome and so are all the RTVF professors.

What's the deal here? Seriously, people. I got a C, too, but at least I can admit that she knows her stuff. I screwed around, so my grade is my responsibility. Grow up. Oh, and to all the people who call her a bad professor...where did you say you got your degrees?

I took Mrs. McGettigan for History of Film and was scared to death of her. I had to work my butt off for a B. When I took her for Aesthetics, I had gotten the hang of her teaching/testing style and made an A easily. You just have to make a sufficient effort in her class and she'll have no problem with you. By far my fave RTVF professor. LOVE HER.

I think you have to break through with JMcG. If you are a freshmen and in the core classes then you don't know her. She plays the weed-out professor role. If you get into the program and get to know her she is a hip chick. Very fun to talk movies with. Even if we never agree.

I really enjoyed her class and the movie reviews are really easy as long as you include lots of notes before your summary. Tests on the other hand were hard even if studied for. She's really nice and was helpful so I'm not sure why others had such a bad time.

Film Genre glass. Dr. McGettigan was one of the best professors I've ever had. She doesn't make you go through a lot of busy work to prove that you are learning. Just go to class, read the book and you'll get an A. I learned so much. She is the best teacher I've ever had when it comes to leading a class discussion.

This is a tough class- you really have to work and McGettigan isn't the firendliest. Read EVERYTHING and know it solid- quizzes and tests are tedious but if you study hard it is possible to get an A. I got an 80 on the midterm and still got an A. You might want to take this class with an easier prof.

So knowlegable about film. Her survey is not a blow off class, so come prepared, do the reading. She's pretty great.

Very hard prof. But I love this woman! Her tests are ridiculous and you better know the director's aunt's dog walker's cousin's name cause it will be on the test. But she knows her stuff and her classes are very interesting. I learn more in one of her classes than all the other RTVF profs combined.

not easy but it is doable. i like the class and am making an A but it is hard work

Film Topics/Genres: An incredible teacher who is readily available outside of class. She teaches the material in an interesting way and always encourages student participation. Do your work and you'll be fine. C'mon this is college.

One of the hardest professors I've had, but she knows what she's talking about. She's willing to help if you show an interest and make an effort in and out of class. Show up to tests on time, take notes from the book and the lecture and you should be okay.

History of Film with McGettigan is very hard. Make sure you read all the chapters thoroughly, and pay attention and take thorough notes, because knowing what actress went through what scandal in the 1930s is incredibly important for us future filmmakers! I can't stress enough how hard you need to work to get an A in this class.

She is not really as hard as many people say. I hardly ever read the book and did fine. Just skim through the book and study the notes and history of film be fine. She also really enjoys this subject and tries to make it interesting. Lab is actually pretty cool because all you do is watch movies.

Class was great. She's just awesome. Class isn't "hard". Just "show up" for "class". You're in college.

I also have a MFA in film from Chapman University. My education at TCU was far superior to my graduate education. That can largely be attributed to Dr. McGettigan. She's insightful, passionate and serves an superb mentor if you dedicate yourself to the study of film. If I choose to teach in the future, she is the model I aspire to.

The students complaining about McGettigan, by the looks of their comments, clearly lack grammar skills to score well on tests/essays. She pushes students to strive for excellence. Those who run from her couldn't hack it in the industry. Our education systems needs more professors of her caliber. She is an asset to TCU and a brilliant academic.

Joan is nice and knowledgable. I took her summer MLA film class. Be prepared to work for an A! Her lectures are clear, but take diligent notes, because her tests can be tricky/nitpicky. Obscure details matter to her. Study and you will be ok. Papers are the worst, she is a brutal grader on them. I got a B+ w/reasonable effort & enjoyed the class.

I took Survey of Film from her for my fine arts credit. Ridiculously easy. Show up to class, take some notes, stay for the movie if you want, and read the chapters assigned right before the test. This class is one day a week and requires maybe an hour or so of time to study before tests.

Good teacher who is passionate about films. 2 exams and a final. Easy if you read the book and she gives out extra credit opportunities. Good class, I enjoyed it.

I'm surprised how people can do poorly in her class, but based on the history reports, TCU students can't write outside of the English major. This was literally the easiest & least stressful class I have ever taken at TCU.I didn't even study for the final & got a perfect score. Read, listen, watch the films. The slightest effort will equal success.

McGettigan isn't horrible in the sense that she obviously loves film. She is interesting and makes some good observations. The problem with this class is 25% of your grade is a critical essay that she grades very harshly. Stick to the prompt. Do not stray or you will fail the paper and it will be extremely hard to pass the class with a good grade.

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. I love film and actually know a good bit about film history. I really enjoy this class and it is very interesting BUT she grades like a complete Beach. I have an A in my sophomore composition class currently but I have a C in this elective film class. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. She's a beach and grades terribly.

Took her class 20 years ago. It was/is the one that I find myself returning to over and over again because she cultivated the challenging position of not spoon feeding her students, but of challenging them to learn. Not a class to take if you want an "easy" A, but one for for the very bright student.

She's a good woman who will spend time working with you if you need help. Funny, easy to talk to and cares about how you're doing in class. Tests are very detailed, hard, and based on both readings and films/documentaries too so pay FULL attention in class!!! Paper might destroy your grades so beware.

I'm currently in her Survey of Film class and it is not terribly difficult. She lectures for about an hour and the rest of the three hour class you watch a movie. The tests detailed and most of the info comes from her lectures. As for the book reading, it's not mandatory and all I study are the bolded words in the book. Not hard, take her!

Not an easy A like I thought. The maymester is so short, you don't have enough time for feedback on papers to correct w/e you're doing wrong. She likes formulaic writing, so ask her what kind of organization she would like to see. Tests & quizzes are easy if you watch the movies and do the reading & take the little amount of notes she gives. Got A-

Very sweet lady, super nice, and eager to help in any way possible, but tests are so hard!! Asks very tricky and nitpicky questions, so that even if you feel prepared after a lot of studying, somehow you don't do well! I don't understand it! But if you have a passion for aesthetics and film, take her.

TOUGH class. not a good elective class. She is a tough grader and gives out weird assignments. The class and labs were very interesting because we just watched movies for labs. I am not majoring in this department and i recommend anybody who is not majoring in this to NOT take this class.

Joan McGettigan is an angel sent from heaven. She is one of the most amazing people I have met at TCU. She is so willing to help her students and loves getting to know them. Once you get to know her better you'll see her sassy side and love her even more. She understands that her classes are tough and is willing to help students. So smart.

I thoroughly enjoyed History of Film with McGettigan. Yes, you have to study a lot for the tests and take lots of notes, but she is more than willing to help you in any way. I went into her office hours and went over my class notes with her to see if I was missing anything major, and that helped. I always recommend her when I can. Really sweet lady

I really like McGettigan as a person. I didn't like that she give specifics on what was gonna be on the test. A lot of the stuff on the test is from the book, and she doesn't talk about it in class. Her assignments are pretty easy and it isn't hard to get a good grade. Tests are hard but short, and there are a lot of them. Pretty cool.

Dr McGettigan is one of the best professors I had at TCU, but she suffers no fools or excuses. If you are taking an intro class, be prepared to study hard. Her upper level courses were the most fun & thought-provoking I have had. If you are struggling, go to her office hours and she will help. Will take her class at least once a semester.

Honestly one of the sweetest professors ever. She really cares about the subject she teaches and she gets you to care about it too. Some lectures can be long and boring but she always shows videos in class that bring the lecture to life and are entertaining. Tests aren't hard because her notes make it super easy to study. Highly recommend!

Definitely want to pay attention to what she's saying in class and write down as much as possible - she writes very little on the board and most of the tests are about general things that have been mentioned in class. Also a lot of information comes from textbook that isn't talked about in class. Overall a nice lady & interesting lectures

MIss Mcgettigan is knowledgeable and helpful. I wasn't a business or film entertainment major and learned a lot in hr class.

I liked Mcgett. Doesn't give her students ass so she grades well with review and peers. Good teacher, great person. I recommend.

Joan is a great professor, and I enjoyed her film theory (Hitchcock) class. We had a midterm, two reaction papers, 4 quizzes (top 3 counted), and a final, so it was not a lot of work. She is clear about her expectations and you just need to use examples well in the papers. She is so sweet, and a great professor to take!

This was my second time in one of her classes, and it was just as enjoyable as the first! Musicals was an experimental class for her, but we figured it out. 2 homeworks, 3 quizzes (you take 4, but she only takes your 3 best), and a final paper. Take her! She is so caring and makes the subject matter enjoyable.

Professor McGettigan is really nice and has interesting lectures. Make sure to pay attention and write good notes so tests will be easier for you. Her tests are fair and don't have content that wasn't mentioned in class or the textbook. She is passionate about film, and I can't wait to take more of her courses.