3.5
Quality2.2
Difficulty67%
Would Retake94
Reviews67%
Would Retake
94
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
37
4
20
3
12
2
15
1
10
What Students Say
“The most condescending person I've ever met”
COMM1000 - 3.0 rating“This IS the most boring class I've ever, ever taken”
COMM1010 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
50%
Textbook Required
85%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.01 avg changeRatings by Course
COM
5.0
(1)COMM330
5.0
(1)COMMUNICAT
5.0
(1)MEDIAIND
5.0
(1)INTRO2COMM
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
COMM330
4.0
TARGETEDWRITIN
4.0
COMMTECH
4.0
COMMUNICATIONS
3.3
PROPPER
3.0
Reviews (94)
Easy class, easy A, easy sleepy time in comfy chairs. LoL
No Comments
Only two grades: midterm and final. So if you aren't into that, don't take him. His stories are interesting, but its definitely not a learning class. He's very friendly.
One of the best professors I've had. Not that easy. Intelligent, funny, and keeps class interesting. Talks too much about his books though.
Funny, easygoing guy. Lot of information to learn for tests, make sure you attend class. Feedback on tests is not as clear as it can be.
take it!! its an easy class
Dr. Levinson is an incredible teacher.
Makes lots of jokes and likes it when you sit up front and smile at him. He's hard and you learn alot but make sure you get notes if you miss a class. He is friendly and you can always go talk to him if you have personal problems.
If you're a Comm. major - you have to take him. GO TO CLASS. Two grades = midterm & final - both open book. This is an easy A unless you're a moron. All the test questions come DIRECTLY from his notes - write down everything he says.
excellent, excellent teacher... the kind where it seems ok to just be friends with. definite good person and great teacher.
Hard in that his grades come from a mid-term and final only- but he does offer an imporvement paper. otherwise he is funny and makes the class interesting- it starts out slow but gets better.
He is not helpful whatsoever. Comm majors can't avoid him. His grading style is not an accurate account of your intellingence. His class is boring. For a department chair he is horrible at teaching. I don't reccomend him at all.
he is the best chair. he has helped me so much. he is an absolute doll. his media industry class was so great. it was open book and his lectures are really funny. if it wasnt for him, i would not have had such an easy time in the comm dept. i love him :)
I thought the class was going to be a little more interesting, but it was still OK. Nice guy, could be a little more helpful and get to know you more. Only two grades-midterm and final, so you better not screw up on one of those. But take him if you can..
Loves to make jokes and tell stories. Usually they're interesting. He's a very nice guy and will go to bat for you if he knows you. Take the time to speak up in class, it's worth it to be on his good side.
Very interesting class.It is not too difficult, so u pay attention to the lecture without worrying about what your going to be graded on.one of the best professors i've had.His lectures seem to come to him effortlessly, very smart guy.
Well you learn about straight up communications. He's a nice man and intelligent man. Plugs his book too much and grading is a little tough. Just a Midterm and Final 50% with an extra credit option.
awesome teacher. ppl tend to fall asleep, but this is an interesting class. openbook tests and improvement papers optional. if you get below a B, you've done something idiotic
He is a good teacher. Class is easy and it is supposed to be. He want everyone to get a good grade and will help you to get one. Midterm and final are open book. He talks up his own books too much but overall nice man and ok class.
Good class, skip discussions
Easy. Just take good notes! Attendance isnt taken but be there to know what's gonna be on the test. KEY:USE HIS BOOK AND QUOTES FOR THE TEST!i got an A- in the classw/o xtra crd KEY:ORGANIZE NOTES B4 TEST! there's only 2 tests and 10pg xtra credit papers.
great sense of humor, enjoyable class, tests are fair if you take careful notes and read the book. i recommend him.
Take good notes and you're set. Nice guy, funny. Open notebook midterm and final!!
Levinson is great! He has you read his own book for the required reading which is like reading a manuscript from his lecture, but it gets stuck in your head for sure. Your open-notebook midterm and final are 50% each of your final grade. Take good notes and you shouldn't get less then a B+.
Not a bad guy... Take notes, and u r set on the 2 exams... I think he may be on drugs at times, and his humor is amazingly awful, but hey he tries... and his books.. ya he's written like 10, and they r like only read if ur a genius/weirdo that loves big words.. but u really dont needa read it!
p levs is the most self-centered man on the face of the earth. go to one class and see how many references he makes to his own book (which he makes you buy for the class). its disguting. i wanted to be a comm major until i took this class.
No reason to **** about this class. It's clear cut and easy. If you show up and do some reading, you'll pass...if you don't, you'll fail. Simple as that. Easy. Boring at times, but such an easy A. Gives you chances to improve your grades too. Very fair professor.
Very conceited...not helpful at all outside class. Doesn't even take the time to try and learn people's names. Very dissapointing...
He's a good teacher. Self centered though. Doesn't really care about his students. You can do a 10pg paper to raise your grade. I never went to class and I did ok in his course. Open book final and midterm. You fail those, you're screwed.
Easy exams. Don't bother reading Ruben, could probably not have read his book bc it doesnt make sense. Waste of time on a remedial class. The history aspect was interesting
Levinson really does prepare you for the rest of your college career as a comm. major. He is available in his office and is a really interesting guy to talk to about things outside the class as well. Hardly takes attendence, yet everyone comes to class... that tells you something about levinson.
If you want a decent grade in his class, start kissing his ass. He is so conceited, and is not ashamed to admit it. It doent care how well you write, if you do not quote him, or refer to smething he said in class, he will deduct your grade. So, whatever you do, Kiss His Ass.
If you sit in on his lecture with THE SOFT-EDGE opened in front of you, you would see his lectures are the book verbatum. This help a lot for studying considering the midterm and final are 50% each. Go see him during office hours just tp talk, especially if you're a major. If you study an A is easy.
Chair of the department; most are forced to take his class AND BUY HIS BOOK. It is one of the largest Comm classes and he makes money off of forcing students to purchase his book. If you can avoid it, don't take him. It's a waste of time and money.
Dr. Levinson rules! The lectures are interesting and fun- especially if you're a major or interested in the subject material. The exams aren't difficult- but make sure you give yourself enough time or else you'll get a worse grade than you expect. And he is extremely helpful when it comes to major and career advice.
Just attend class, even just the discussion group and then write everything from your notes on the midterm and final and it's an easy A. Interesting subject matter too
Eh, alright..could be more attentive to students outside class..went to visit him in his office hours sometimes, and it seems like he almost didn't have time for me, like he was trying to hurry me along. But if your a communications major, you gotta take him, so good luck.
Levinson has to be the most boorish jackass on the planet. Get ready for stupid assignments, dumb in-class examples, and the worst frickin' singing voice you've ever heard. If he was working in any field besides academics his ass would be on the unemployment line. Avoid like the plague -- you'd be better off repeating 6th grade.
Professor Levinson is great. "Easy" in the sense, that if you pay attention, and know how to write, you'll be fine. I think he's hilarious. I would definitely recommend him. He is great with offering career advice. For those that don't like him, you really have no idea what you're talking about! How can you NOT take him??
Uh, I don't know what kind of crack the previous poster is smoking, but as the semester's dragged on Levinson's gotten even worse. His academic advice is laden with crap and he's answered his phone in class numerous times. I can't imagine anyone less qualified to teach or less professional in demeanor. He makes the case for getting rid of tenure.
one word..HORRIBLE
Great guy. Very smart. Just take good notes and you'll do well. I recommend him.
I dont know how you could not like him. The class is interesting and it's short. All you have to do is take notes and you'll get a good grade. I would absolutely recommend Levinson
Levinson is terrific -- for me to****on.
Prof Levinson is one of the greatest teachers at this school - he is among the smartest and also funniest people I've met... Make sure to take notes, and if you can, talk to him outside of class - he always has something interesting and important or just funny to say! Do not graduate without taking Levinson's class.
No Comments
Very knowledgeable, feedback on work is fair and helpful.
Do not take this professor if you have a choice! Stiff, rehearsed, dreary as all hell. He even has the audacity to make you buy his own book. I learned nothing in this class other than I've lost a semester of my life to another Fordham professor who loses their passion for teaching once they make tenure or obtain a position of power in a dept.
No Comments
Doesn't grade papers on time, doesn't return them to students, always looking for a laugh w/ cheesy jokes, loves reading the raunchy papers in class, dirty old man w/ little respect for his students, never returns a phone call or email. SELF-ABSORBED.
Scum of the department. He treats students like crap, and is self-asorbed in his own b/s. Never in office hours. You're forced to take his class, and I'm sorry about that, but always go to Sternberg, not him. By no means ever consider this guy a real professor, cause by most standards, he's not.
By far the most disorganized person in the world. His lectures are boring, he recites the book he wrote (which is also a required reading). The only good thing is that class is not mandatory, and you can learn by reading the books.
He's a joke. ALWAYS late 2 class. ****s the whole lecture. All lectures point 2 sex one way or another. Crude, & clearly has his head up his own ass. Makes you read his book as a req. Recites book during lecture. Midterm, Final, & Improvement Papers. Worthless class. No attendance necessary bc u can read the books & know what he said in class.
CANNOT STAND THIS MAN!! HORRIBLE PROFESSOR AND AN EVEN WORSE CHAIR OF THE COMM. DEPARTMENT. SOOOO UNHELPFUL!! HUGE INFLATED EGO!!! TOO WORRIED ABOUT HIMSELF TO TAKE CARE OF THE DEPT. REALLY TAINTED MY EXPERIENCE AS A COMM. MAJOR.
i really enjoyed prof levinson's class ... he rocks! and i learned a lot ... i don't agree at all with some of the other comments here
if i could, i would knock down the imaginary pedistal this man stands on as he lectures. has an inflated ego, LATE for EVERY class, doesn't care at all about his students, no matter how many times you introduce yourself, he won't know your name. attendance not mandatory and exams are essays straight forward, unfortunatly comm. majors must take him
I had him for Media Research Methods. It was a useless class. We barely used the books, barely learned anything, and spent the last four class talking about our final projects, so essentially repeated the same class four times. Basically the class was a waste of time and money and not what one would expect from a graduate class.
Class was required but a waste of time and money. I felt like I learned nothing from the class that I hadn't learned on my own in undergrad. We spent the last four classes going over what we were going to do for our final presentations. So essentially, we repeated the same class four times.
I strongly advise you to avoid this man. He teaches such ignorant fallacies; it is an embarassment to our school. He is so self centered. Exams consist of tiny fragmented personal facts about his life, that you must regurgitate. It has nothing to do with actual communications. He is really a disappointment to our school.
I can't believe why everyone keeps tooling on Dr. Levinson. He's one of the few Professors who can hold your attention for the entire class lecture. Not too often can you find a professor who's just as into teaching as they are into research/writing. Levinson is the perfect balance. Highly reccommend.
Levinson is an enjoyable and really bright professor. I learned more from him than any other professor at Fordham. He has a real love of his field. Highly recommended.
Best professor I ever had at Fordham. Professor Levinson is enjoyable and informative - he was always friendly and helpful to me. He went to bat for me when I needed a mentor for an internship. I would highly recommend him.
great prof ... always explained what would be on the exams ... hey, they're open book ... always had time for me and other students after class ... nice man
I learned more from Dr. Levinson than from any prof at Fordham. His lectures were enjoyable. He puts himself into everything he teaches, and I think that is good in a teacher.
Never showed up for office hours, doesn't care about students, but rather about stroking his own ego. Levinson is the reason why teacher tenure should be abolished.
Professor Levinson's classes are the only ones in the Communications Dept that are mandatory for a Communications major. Buying the book he wrote is also mandatory. Seems like a scam to me. His class is easy, but in the end, feels like a waste of time. And since there are 80+ students in it, it's easy to get lost in the crowd.
Late, rude to students and dismissive of students who ask for help. He guest lectured another one of my classes and did nothing but suggest that we buy his books for an hour and fifteen minutes. When addressed with a question about the average blog readership, he told the class to read his blog, then click on the links to buy his book.
levinson rocks. best professor at fordham. he always had time for me, and is very helpful in the reviews he gives in class before the midterm and final.
Dr. Levinson was a guest lecturer during another class. He arrived, shamelessly, 20 minutes late into the class and proceded to advertise his recent novel and lie outright claiming, and I quote "well, let's not talk about blogs, the average readership of every book is one person." Google "Chronology Protection Case." Stephen Hawking knows too much!
Always helpful to me when I came for advice. Kept me interested in his class. I thought it was cool that my professor was author of a book we used. I think Levinson is the best teacher in the dept, and I like lots of the other teeachers too.
Wonderful prof. really informed me. kept me interested all term.
Levinson rocks! woot! funniest teacher, and i learned a lot about the history of media!
I learned more from Levinson than any other prof at Fordham.
luv lev - very helpful to me in advising and his classes are always funny - definitely recommend him
Media Studies was not a graduate level class by any standard. I heard that Targeted Writing was better. He's completely unreliable. Not in his office when I scheduled appointment with him. Also, friend told me if you ask him for a recommendation, you better stay on top of him, or it won't get done.
His class is boring as hell, he repeats the same stories and examples over and over. The only thing worse was the discussion groups. Luckily enough, attendance was not mandatory. I just read the Soft Edge before the two tests and I was fine. The 10 pg improvement papers weren't too hard to do either, if you want extra credit.
Great class. Funny, smart prof - Levinson teaches not only about the past, but about YouTube. I decided to become a major after takimg his Intro class!
Good intro class he is very fair with assignments (only Midterm and Final but he gives Extra Credit papers). A little disappointed with the A- rather than an A though but hey, what can you do? Big lecture class so it is what it is.
Oh Paul. Just search his name on youtube if you want to get a feeling of who you're dealing with. Here's the secret...never go to class, and study the book well for the Midterm and the Final. Thats two days of attendance. Still, go every once in a while, because hes pretty smart and funny. Funny thing is, I actually did learn a lot from this class.
Dr. Levinson is a great professor. Sure, he may come in 15 minutes late, but I certainly learned a lot from his teaching. Although he doesn't take roll, it's still a good idea to go the classes and take good notes because his open-book midterm and final come from the notes. His book isn't worth buying unless you'll read it. Still a great class.
Interesting class, but going to the lectures is pretty much unnecessary, one because Dr. Levinson comes late, and two, we review everything in our discussion groups. Just attend the discussion groups and ask people for the improvement paper topics if you're inclined to write one. As long as you keep up with the book, you'll be fine.
The most condescending person I've ever met. The class is easy, attendance doesn't matter, the textbook is more than enough info and easy to read, but he treats you like you're 5 years old. He spelled and defined the word "infrastructure" for ten minutes one time, as if it were totally new to us. I cannot stand him.
Took intro to comm. because I was interested in majoring in communications... not anymore. Honestly, his class wasn't terrible, but it just wasn't up to par with other classes. Levinson is very repetitive, and his lectures mimic the book (btw, textbooks are written by him and are expensive). He's a very friendly, interesting man, though.
Class isn't mandatory and neither are the discussion groups. I slept and ate froyo in just about every class. I would fall asleep without trying. Hes ridic boring. Lectures are repeats of the reading. He's obsessed with sex. and sings sometimes. badly. I found the info interesting so reading wasn't painful. Exams are open book/notes essays. Easy A.
This IS the most boring class I've ever, ever taken. I'm sry but whoever said take his class its a easy A, its not worth it, his EC papers are 10 pg long @ things that have nothing to do with the class... He's totally self absorbed and if you go against that he says he he'll drop you points for it... youtube him on O'Riely Factor before you sign up
PRof. Levinson is awesome! One of the sweetest and smartest professors at Fordham. He's so funny too that I soemtimes find myself laughing so hard my stomach hurts. He also gives extra credit so that you can boost your grade 1/2-1 grade higher...can't get more fair than that!
Absolutely take this class. There's a writing assignment due almost every class (usually 500 words), but there is the option to miss a few and do extra credit later. Levinson is just an awesome professor and a fairly big name in the communications field so there is a lot to be learned from him. Highly recommended.
Prof Levinson is awesome. If you go to his class and do the work, he'll give you a good grade. He makes his political opinions clear but doesn't shove them in your face. He's super awesome and would definitely take again
Least stressful professor ever. Super understanding and accomodating. Makes you want to put in extra effort just because he's nice. Grades by a few short papers and videos, discussion threads online where you have to reply to questions. Can't stress this enough, take him for the least stressful time you'll ever have.
Prof. Levinson is a great guy. I took his graduate course and I was extremely happy with my take away. A midterm essay&video and a final essay&video. Would definitely take him again.
Prof Levinson is a knowledgeable and outspoken lecturer, be prepared for extended lectures with class discussion. I enjoyed the freedom he gave to pick our own research topics, presenting, and submitting essays. Class participation is a must with questions and discussion. No midterm or final, just the research project and class presentations.
This is a fantastic senior values class. Very low lift, the only thing you have to work on is the final paper, with 3 presentations on it throughout the semester. No readings, no tests, no midterms. Professor Levinson is a generous grader with interesting input during class. Attendance is not mandatory and he is flexible with deadlines.
Prof. Levinson is kind, passionate and knowledgeable, but his injection of his personal beliefs into class prohibited any learning. He went on tangents that were hardly related to the syllabus and by the time we'd begin to have any semblance of a productive conversation, class would end. Learned more from the guest speakers he invited. Unfortunate.
This class has no content. You pick your final paper topic in week one and you spend all semester working on it, doing 3 status reports (verbal and written). The verbal reports are presented in class. If no verbal reports are being presented, Prof talks about current events and gets very political. You will not learn anything. It's an easy A tho.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
50%
Textbook Required
85%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.01 avg changeRatings by Course
COM
5.0
(1)COMM330
5.0
(1)COMMUNICAT
5.0
(1)MEDIAIND
5.0
(1)INTRO2COMM
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
COMM330
4.0
TARGETEDWRITIN
4.0
COMMTECH
4.0
COMMUNICATIONS
3.3
PROPPER
3.0