Edward J. Downes - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Edward J. Downes

Department: Communication

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COMCM215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

There are some people who are great people yet just are not great at teaching. He is definitely one of those. Very caring and definitely knows a lot about the field. However disorganized beyond belief and follows no syllabus outline. For a type-a person, like myself, this class is actual hell. Very easy if you attend and follow what he says.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CM215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

talks about himself a lot, hates social media, hates celebrities, acts like his lectures are revolutionary and unlike anything you will hear outside of his classroom (quote). thinks peak diversity is white people, black people, and Jewish people. 60 page syllabus, 20 pages are about him and his academic career. will buy you coffee to be liked.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COM701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Practical over theory.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COM301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Really great guy. Cares about his students and class. His class isn't too work heavy (10 homeworks and exams). Go to class however because he knocks your grade down if you miss more than he allows. I would've gotten an A if I didn't skip a few extra times. Pay attention in lecture and do the case study readings for an A.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CM701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Eddie is so approachable. He is always willing to listen to you, give you advice, discuss with you on many different topics. I am an international student here. Though I don't speak English well, but he always listens. I really like the discussion on his class. I learn a lot from it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Don't skip this class - he does a total point system and subtracts 3 points for every unexcused absence. He is very strict on this. Besides this the class is very easy. If you go to class, do your assignments, pay attention in lecture, and read the PR case studies, you will be able to pull off at least a B.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof Downes is like the old relative you have who wants to be liked and approved of so desperately. He tries to be relatable but makes so many questionable comments about women in the workforce and life in general. I truly have not learned a thing since this class started but it's an easy A/B if you put in any sort of effort whatsoever though

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I find it funny how some people graded Eddie harshly when I didn't even go out and buy the textbook. I didn't do they tried to sensor me here for the class other than take the tests and participate. He is super eloquent and a character in class. He will keep you engaged and interested bc his points are always neat.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The tests aren't hard but do ALL the readings because that's what they focus on. He's really funny and brings people coffee.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CM701
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you pay attention and are ready to learn from Professor Downes, he'll really prepare you to enter the world of PR. Nothing about his class was a surprise, but what I liked most about him was how he made sure to present an unbiased observance of the world to us. The wording on his tests could be a bit tricky, but study and you'll be fine.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great class. Inspired me to change major. Will definitely take another class with Prof. Downes

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Downes is a great lecturer, and he makes an effort to really engage students. Easy class if you do the assignments and go to every class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

CM301 is a good and easy class if you read. The lectures are interesting but Eddie goes off on a lot of tangents that have little to do with the class. The exams test you on whether you read/paid attention but don't have a strong focus on PR. The guest speakers are super helpful and Eddie really cares about his students.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great person. very qualified, which is why I don't get why he always feels the need to tell students everything he's done. His lectures are not lectures, they are stories that go on huge tangents. Tests are not on the concepts, but rather what topics were discussed in the reading. Did not like his teaching style/testing. entertaining until tested.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CM345
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Took this class for summer term, slow feedback but quite passionate

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great professor! Helped me so much through the years with internships and advice on PR careers. He is always there for his students for questions about the course or even just with PR in general. One of the greatest professors at BU by far!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Easy class. As long as you write clearly and use good grammar, you'll be fine. Lectures are a bit boring usually, but you have to go. He brought in like 6 or 7 PR pros to give guest lectures, which was cool. He's a great guy with good advice on the industry. Put in a moderate amount of work and you'll walk away with the 'A'.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Hes so nice and fun and actually wants his students to do well. Hes amazing, best class Im taking this semester.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! This is by far the WORST class I've taken at BU. The reading is complicated for no reason like this is not a science it's PR. If you miss more than 2 classes or miss any of the classes he says you can't (the dates are listed) you will be screwed. Basically a dictatorship of a dumb class. Wish I could give a zero 4 everything

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CM701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof. Downes is easy to talk to and extremely nice. You can talk to him about almost anything. I love his a-ha moments in class. We used two textbooks: one from Wilcox and another from Coombs. I did not care to read Coombs since it was confusing.