Martin Laba - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Professor: Martin Laba

Department: Communication

College: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Interesting and engaging topics. Very informed with current events and pop. culture. Keeping up with pop. culture and also rewarding because it has educational value (best of both worlds?) Prof is passionate about teaching and the subjects.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Essay is worth 40% of total mark, so I recommend taking if you have strong writing skills. Both the midterm and final are based ONLY on the readings, but to get a perfect mark you have to use examples used in lectures (final is take-home). Martin is a great prof, and he used great (and relevant) case studies weekly. One of my fave courses.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Martin is an amazing professor. The course material was alive and relevant. the class felt more like an interesting conversation than a long lecture. Exams are easy if you show up to class and have a basic understanding of the readings, same applies to the final paper. Honestly a great course and a great prof.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CMN221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

There is no textbook, class recording, not even words on powerpoints, only pictures. Missing lectures will make tests difficult. He'll talk a lot if you ask him something, but be careful, not with a nice attitude every time

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CMNS425
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Martin is an interesting professor. The class was interesting because the entire semester was centered around a group project. His lectures are kind of long-winded and rant-y, and he has a really narrow view on certain things. So really his lectures are blastings of his own beliefs and views. He's okay I guess.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CMNS220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He talks so much and he thinks he's inspirational. He also tries really hard to be cool. Class is really easy tho

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Martin is a prof who truly cares about his students succeeding, and really sees school through our eyes. He makes this class enjoyable and easy to do well in if you show up to lecture, tutorial, and do the term paper and exams (very simple). I really enjoyed this class with him and would take it again.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PUB212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Graded by few things, group projects. This class was co-taught with Terry and was one of THE BEST classes ive taken. It was a PR class with hands-on work, no tests, only assignments, in class essay and group presentation/project. Lecture was more like an ongoing discussion than a lecture! Always open to questions, comments + concerns. LOVELY vocab!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CMNS425
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Martin Laba is an excellent professor. He is charming, funny, and well-informed about the materials he is teaching. He cares about his students, and he is easy to talk to. Great class to take and listen. Listen and be engaged is the key.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CMNS425
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Martin's an incredible lecturer who's super passionate about the topic. His project is really a "you have to try very hard to fail" type of deal - he even said it himself in the first couple classes. Readings are optional but they do help. Likes to mention the topics of HIV/AIDS a bit frequently but that's his subject area. Cares about students!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Martin's lectures are a little all over the place, and they make you look at tbus to wonder if you fell into a time warp or something. Despite that, Martin is incredibly passionate about what he teaches and is such a nice guy to be around. An all around all star!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Martin was the best prof I've had. He is so passionate about his classes. I would LOVE to take another class with him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My all time favourite prof. So inspiring. Every lecture could be a Ted Talk.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 221
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I have taken 2 classes with Martin now and he's by far my favourite communications prof I've encountered so far. He is a bit egotistical but it all related back to the topic and it isn't annoying or preachy at all. If you want an easyinteresting course and a passionate prof 221 with him is a great one (I took it as an elective).

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CMNS425
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Okay so Martin is great. He keeps you calm when you approach him mid-semester and mid-breakdown. He is full of positive feedback but will nudge you in the right direction if you go off track. I entered the class secretly wanting to hate him - who is that well respected and deserves every bit of it? I left in admiration. Good guy/Great prof!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CMNS425D100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Love him! Nuff said.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He has a lot of passion for the material, the students and the actual work in the community. Take at least one of his courses (he teaches 2 plus a multi-prof publishing course), you will not be disappointed. He is up-to-date and relevant with his material and readings, something lacking from other CMNS courses. Talk to him during office hours too.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I looked forward to every lecture. Martin is very passionate about his job and encourages students to fully engage-to actively observe the world around you and participate with purpose. He is incredibly helpful and an all around great man. Left the course feeling like I could do something purposeful with my life. Take the time to talk to him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great speaker and a nice guy. He comes across as being the most egoistic man you'll encounter.It's not an easy course, but as long as you do all the readings and attend tutorials (TA-ADINA EDWARDS is awesome) you'll do fine.Regarding his MT, he claims you don't need to study but seriously, do the readings.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CMNS221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He really is a great prof. Extremely passionate about his job and makes lectures worth attending. Got to know the prof on a more personal level, very down to earth. If you have the chance just go and strike up a conversation. No textbook required which is great, and exams are relatively easy as long as you keep up with the readings.