3.2
Quality4.2
Difficulty100%
Would Retake97
Reviews100%
Would Retake
97
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
28
4
19
3
24
2
15
1
11
What Students Say
“Extremely strict grader; perfectionist”
MCOM255 - 4.0 rating“a little intimidating”
MCOM255 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
50%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.61 avg changeRatings by Course
255
5.0
(1)MCOM453
5.0
(1)MCOM409490
5.0
(1)MCOM356433
5.0
(1)MCOM
4.0
(3)Difficulty by Course
101
5.0
255
5.0
MCOM350
5.0
COM
5.0
MCOMM101
5.0
Reviews (97)
Extremely strict grader; perfectionist
a little intimidating
tough but fair
No Comments
perfectionist
No Comments
No Comments
Doesn't care about the students. SO far 2 exams not one person received an A. Worst teacher ever, takes attendence and tests are impossible. Do yourself a favor DO NOT TAKE ANY OF HER CLASSES!
No Comments
No Comments
Lauffer is awesome. She is not easy, but she is more than willing to work with you and help out, so long as you approach her. You will learn SO much (especially about grammar).
very hard...she is such a perfectionist...she doesn't have a life so she expects you to not have one also.
Dr. Lauffer is an amazing teacher.Those that say she is a perfectionist just quit too quickly.She is very accessible and will spend the extra time helping out the students.She really has a passion for writing and reporting and she wants others to as well.
Her tests are tricky, keep yourself on your toes!
She does a good job explaining, but her tests are very hard. We have 120 people in the class, and only 1 person got an A on the first test.
Very hard and very into-herself. Get things right the first time or be prepared to be left behind. DO NOT TAKE HER!
She is a very nice person and she really cares about her students. Class is usually interesting and she gives clear explanations. WATCH OUT for her tests! They're serious. I reccomend the class, but be prepared to study!!!
all you freshmen who took mcom 101 with lauffer are too young to realize what a great teacher she is. lauffer is a talented journalist and cares very much about her students. she puts a lot of effort into making sure they do well.
A very good professor once you get to know her. Knows her stuff. Can be funny at times. Cohesion between lecture and discussion sections could be improved.
I liked the class. she is a very good teacher and knows whats shes talkin bout, shes kinda funny and is wiling to help you if you need it...i would recommend this class for a gened.
she is a very intense teacher her grading of assignments is crazy I would not recommend taking her class if you plan on an A she tells you "no one will get an A in my class"
I like her. I like her teaching style. She does great lectures and is very energized. She is knowledgeable of the presented material. However, the tests are very tricky. Study guide does not reflect test material. Think you will understand, but think twic
She definitely is not a good teacher. She doesn't ever return some assignments back to you. Half the tests she makes up aren't what she teachers you might as well just research the topics on the test yourself. And she definitely has favorites.
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE. SHE IS VERY SELF ABSORBED AND TRIES TO BE DIFFICULT AND FRUSTRATE YOU. SHE IS NOT A GOOD TEACHER.
she is one of the sweetest teachers I had. She let me sit in her office to talk about anything or even if I needed help on assignments. I didn't pass any of her tests (HARD!) but I ended up with a C in the class (I changed majors afterward - MCOM not me).
I like her a lot. Her classes cover a lot of info but it's all on the test, and she doesn't try to trick you, just tries to get you to look at things from a different angle. It's called critical thinking!!! She's funny and tries to keep things interesting
she sucks her tests are too hard and she makes you take an additional class every week that has tons of work for no additional credit.
Lectures are easy just copy the powerpoint..but She is so ugly and so not funny, not very helpful neither. She is always talking about her multiple cats. ew. Besides that you gotta take another discussion class on friday mornings! with tons a busy work
I don't know why no one likes her. She's helpful. The workload was a little hefty but complaining about it is stupid because it's college. Tests a little hard but not horrible. Just read and take notes in lecture. Do discussion section work(helps grade).
She is a very helpful teacher.Her tests are hard, but as long as you study and read you'll be fine.The study guide is not something to study directly off of in this class.Make sure you go to the discussions because it will help your grade a whole bunch.
Her exams are slightly hard but just study and read the text and go to lecture. Also discussions are important because they are worth 40% of your grade and the lecture is 60%. I really do not have anything against her personally, I did great in her class
Excellent communicator. Very high standards. She elevates you to her standards. Extremely intelligent and hard-working.
Interesting class, but I did all the work and got A's and B's and then recieved a C in the class. She gives a lot of busy work and you have to write a 15 page paper. BLAH
Dr. Lauffer is not a good professor! Taking three courses with here were some of the most painful experiences I've ever endured. She tries to be funny, but fails miserably. She tries to make class as difficult as possible. I might have enjoyed those c
She tries to be funny but shes not. She tries to trick you on the tests and quizzes.
don't take her!!!!!
She's VERY hard, and yeah she's helpful, but she'll take apart your paper 9x and it's STILL not good enough for her. Standards are WAY too high, she has too much time on her hands. The only one who gets her lectures is Molly, her DOG, since she talks to her. It's inappropriate to bring to class!!
ass kickingly hard....relatively interesting, but the tests are hard!
Her tests are tricky so you have to know your stuff if you take her. She gives several quizzes online and doesn't know if you use notes or other people. She's entertaining during the lecture and let's face it, when it comes to the history of newspapers, we need her liveliness to stay awake.
Her tests are so hard. When you think you do well you almost bomb. The class is interesting. She is very lively in class so it helps. Discussion is the best part of the class because it is not too hard. If you take this course with Dr. Lauffer, beware of the toughness.
Awesome Insrtucto. She did say that MCOM 409 is the class where she is most laid back. Worked with her in other areas though and I can tell you, she knows her stuff. She only pushes so hard because she knows how competitive the field is and she has done some pretty impressive things herself.
if you think you are going to well on the tests- you won't. At least she is nice and animated during lecutres :P The discussion assignments will raise your grade too
She's a nice lady and is animated and sometimes funny in lectures, but her tests are very hard. Be prepared to put in some major study time a week beforehand. Three tests, no midterm. Discussion is very good and easy if you do the simple work and attend class.
FORGET THE BAD THINGS EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID!!! Dr. Lauffer is awesome. She's really nice and chill. She's really funny in class. Take her for all the classes you can!
Has a tendency to digress in lectures; however they are still interesting. Be careful with her exams, you will feel prepared and FAIL. (Also--be warned that class averages for tests are failing grades and she does not curve.) Discussion by grad student great though!
Dr. Lauffer is a very nice woman, but has very hard exams. The course is very work intensive, and it takes up alot of your time.
I don't know how she got all those smilie faces....Her tests suck! The class average is always a D...doesn't that tell you something, like maybe the teacher sucks if the students are all consistently failing?
Her tests are no joke. She's not real clear on what she wants you to know. Her personality is cool though
Good teacher, really hard class. Almost everyone fails tests not matter how hard you study. Quizzes are hard too. Lots of writing for discussion. Good personality though. She is also willing to help you. Take her but work REALLY hard...
The tests are hard but she knows what she's talking about in class.dont miss class because the lectures are important for tests.shes serious about attendence so make sure you go.shes hyper in class but it makes things less boring.
shes veryyy hard, but the material isnt terrible...just the tests
This class is challenging and the tests are extremely hard but if you work at studying the material and meeting with Dr. L, you will find it isnt that bad. I would recommend a class with her anytime, but be prepared to have some homework!
interesting class I guess but alot of papers because of the discussion class...basically busy work. She is nice but the test are extremely hard.
She is knowledgeable, but difficult. She takes pride in being a Dr. and this shows in her exams. Tough grader, but always gives extra credit opportunities.Attendance is counted for points. Discussion class can be fun, but requires a lot of written assignments. Be prepared for tricky questions!!!!!!!
mass comm 101 class averages: exam 1: 35 out of 60 exam 2: 36/60. anyone else see a problem w/these numbers? A LOT of stupid busy work and tons of reading. nice and knowledgable but likes to hear herself talk. never take 1 of her classes to fulfill gen ed, only if interested in mass comm as maj/min
Always prepared but tests are friggin impossible....don't get your hopes up, you most likely will not pass.
Very hard class. Knows what she is talking about, but not on the exams. Class averages were D- . Notice a pattern?
This class is like two classes in one. Very hard class. Expect a lot of work. Exams are impossible to pass. This is no easy course.
Dr.L is very nice, energetic, and helpful- but her class is nearly impossible to pass. The stuff she teaches isnt hard, but the work is just so ridiculus. Exam averages are always very low, and she doesnt curve.
There isnt enought room to write all the classes I took with her. I love her as a professor that much! She makes you work hard but you walk out knowing you learned the work! TAKE!!!
Test are impossible, class is rather boring, She is helpful if you need extra help, I would never want to take another one of her classes,work load is tremedous
No Comments
go the other way! She is hard hard hard!!!!!!!
She is a nice lady, but the tests are so hard! If you can definately take an easier mass comm class. The discussion class is easy, but it's a lot of work!!
Lots of power point and lots of notes. Tests are impossible and a lot of writing busy work in the discussion. If you do all the work and study your butt off you will make out ok, but if you arent willing to commit a lot of time to studying, reading and writing, don't bother with this class.
nice teacher but the tests are absolutely the worst!start studying a month before the test.She must think that we have no life or other classes.You learn a lot but it isn't worth the stress.AVOID HER AT ALL COSTS!If you do take her,study every word in the chapters for the test cuz it will be on it.
I studied very hard for the exam. I walked out of the exam thinking I had failed it, which ruined my spring break. However, I ended up getting 74% right, which was way above class average.****load of work but after all, I think she's an OK professor.
Tests ARE hard and a little unfair but she really knows her stuff. The lectures were interesting and overall the class was a good learning experience. Hard for a 101 but if you're interested in MCOM, even in the least bit, you will find that this class is challenging but fun.
She's insane... the test are impossible to pass.. the whole class gets a E's on them! Stay away! Stay FAR RAR away! Trust me.. this class is hell. You've been warned.
First, she is a great professor in that she really knows her field. However, her tests are pretty much impossible. I am a straight A student and I was getting low B's on the exams, which was WAY above the class average. The average grade on the exams was an F. Be prepared to study your butt off. Fortunately, the discussion section is easy.
very strange person but friendly, didn't like the class, too much retarded work that isnt important, try to take a different professor
Very hard teacher. Avoid at all cost. Tests are hard and there is a ton of work. Switch your major to Comm and you will be better off.
No Comments
A nice person. Yes, she expects a lot, but you will learn if you're prepared to work. Attendance is very important...3 group projects, 3 individual projects, a midterm and a final is pretty much your entire grade. If you need help...don't be afraid to ask! Very willing to help if needed. Not the easiest prof...but you'll learn.
No Comments
the tests are extremely hard, but she is a very nice lady who knows the field very well. you leave her class actually feeling like you learned something, which is rare at Towson. I would take her class again, but expect to work your butt off.
No Comments
I think people that have bad things to say about Dr. Lauffer have misunderstood a little bit. Ok, she definitely expects a lot, but she's teaching in a subject area where errors can't just be forgotten, they can get you fired. Don't freak out if your grades aren't that good at first, they will get better. Definitely a nice person, too. Take her.
horrible experience, she never hands things back so you have no idea how you are doing in the class. She admits that she never hands things back as if it makes it better. Test are impossible. Marks off points when you are late and absent yet she cancels classes last minute. Never lets you out early and talks about nothin until she used every min up
IMPOSSIBLE. No one was able to get a decent grade. Her tests are ridiculous and she grades the papers as if we were PhDs. I think she is an extremist. DO NOT TAKE HER UNLESS YOU WANT TO FAIL
Hard class, but not impossible. Lets out early, cancels class last minute. VERY hard grader. Turns EVERYTHING back late, so it was hard knowing where i stood in the class. 2 huge papers, mid term in class and final was take home (2 hour test). I was 100% sure i was going to get an B- in the class, but when I got my final grade (2 weeks after the fi
Tough teacher. Exacting standards. Turns stuff back late but edits everything in detail. Nice person but a bit scatter-brained.
Although material was complicated, it was taught in an organized way. This professor was always fair when it came to assignments/examinations and grading.
DON'T DO THIS TO YOURSELF AND YOUR GRADES! She is tough, impossible, ridiculous grader. Her test is the hardest test I have ever taken.
No Comments
Very nice teacher. Hard tests, but it's easy to get a good grade if you put the effort into your work.
this class was absoloutly useless and class was always cancelled and she assigns difficult assignments that take forever to do!!!!
She talks nervously, and breathes like she just came back from running a marathon. Scatterbrained. This class is pointless; PLEASE don`t take this class!
VERY unclear about what is expected on assignments. Difficult grader, unfair at times. Some of the projects had no reason behind them. This class did absolutely nothing for me.
Teacher cancels class and gives ridiculous assignments that have nothing to do with course. She is extremely boring DO NOT TAKE HER FOR A GEN ED. THE CLASS IS THE WORST.
she's SO boring, the class doesn't make any since, she cancels half the classes and crams everything in the during the last week. don't believe everything you read on this website because she goes on and rates herself positive. this was the worst and most useless class i've ever taken.
this is the worst class in the world. she's incredibly hard at grading don't EVER take her
This lady is the worst teacher I've ever had at Towson. She grades nothing and assigns the most ridiculous things. The things we learn in class have nothing to do with media or mass communication. Terrible.
This woman was the most unfair teacher I have ever had. She was not clear and concise about assignments, they were never returned, and she canceled classes for the most ridiculous reasons. I would NOT recommend taking this class with this woman.
I had her for both an advisor and a professor...as a teacher, she can be confusing at times, and takes a long time to get work back. However, if you talk to her, she seems to show favoritism sometimes for those students who appear to put in extra effort. She constantly cancels class, and isn't very helpful, but if you read the book, it helps a lot.
She was so scatter-brained that I never knew what was going on in class. She would get so off of subject that it was nearly impossible to pay attention and follow along. I didn't learn much from her and she made me hate my major freshman year of school. If it wasn't for her TA I don't think she could survive as a teacher.
Tough grader, less based on lecture and more based on reading a plethora of articles and writing either a blog post or long-ish discussion post every week. It's worth it to show interest and participate in class discussions for 1) the points and 2) so she'll be more willing to help you out with some assignments. Kind of plays favorites
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
50%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.61 avg changeRatings by Course
255
5.0
(1)MCOM453
5.0
(1)MCOM409490
5.0
(1)MCOM356433
5.0
(1)MCOM
4.0
(3)Difficulty by Course
101
5.0
255
5.0
MCOM350
5.0
COM
5.0
MCOMM101
5.0