Patricia Phalen - George Washington University, Washington, DC

Professor: Patricia Phalen

Department: Public Affairs

College: George Washington University, Washington, DC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The material of the class is interesting. The professor is smart, experienced, and funny. HOWEVER, I think she was a little to ignorant to be teaching this class. We talked a lot about representation in the media, which is a concept she just didn't understand. She did learn from her students though. She needs to do her own homework.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Phalen is a funny professor and encourages really fun discussions. The quizzes aren't difficult (but the last one was extremely specific) as long as you can get your hands on class lecture notes and notes from the readings. But the final paper was incredibly confusing and the TA would not read anything besides an outline. Bad end to a good class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• 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:

Prof. Phalen is very interesting and knowledgable in the field of journalism. Her lectures are a mix of journalism theory and current events, which allows for good class discussions that can cover any topic. The exams are multiple choice and the material is easy to follow if you have an interest in journalism.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Phalen is a fair teacher. She assigns a very reasonable amount of homework and is very organized. Her slides and homework outline are both very easy to use and well put together. She makes it pretty obvious what your going to need to know for an exam, however some questions get VERY specific about things said in class so take notes.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is an extremely difficult class as the tests are way too specific and you will have to take notes on EVERYTHING from each of the many lengthy readings you're assigned and memorize it all in order to do well on the tests! far too much work for a prerequisite course for the journalism minor, and the worst class i've ever taken at GWU.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Phalen is pretty much no-bs but in a good way. She's funny and her lectures aren't horrible. There are three tests and a paper, only 5 pages.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Boring lecturer, but you have to go to class and get the notes from her powerpoints because she doesn't post them. Assigns a good amount of readings, which you have to do. Three exams, based all on the class notes and readings. Exams are SO detailed and nit-picky. One final paper, which was on a confusing topic.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1000
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I highly recommend taking this dean's seminar, but be prepared there is a 30-35 page group paper at the end.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1000
• 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:

I loved Professor Phalen. She really cares about the class and her students. I would totally recommend her and her class. Lots of assignments, but totally worth it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Phalen is great, I took her Hollywood and Politics Dean's Seminar and she was very interested and invested in the class. Be prepared to participate with discussions, but luckily the course is interesting and fellow students typically are, too. You have to work for a good grade, but she is very kind and understanding if you ever need help.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1050
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Phalen has a lot of experience in her field and is very smart. Her TAs do most of the grading and she doesn't always seem too involved with the class, but she is very clear and helpful, as well as accessible. Her class isn't too challenging, just make sure you do the readings!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1000
• 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:

Professor Phalen is such an intelligent woman: definitely the most passionate and enjoyable teacher I've had at GW. She is so well connected in her field and always gets amazing guest speakers to chat with the class over skype! She's a really fair grader but demands your best. She's a must have for anyone interested in media!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1051
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Was great and engaging for the first six to seven weeks and then seemed to kind of lose her commitment to the class. Last half of the class was spent watching a lot o movies that seemed nonessential and spending a lot of time reviewing readings

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SMPA1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Phalen is one of the coolest teachers I have had at GW! She is extremely intelligent, is currently active and has amazing connections in her field and is always available to answer your questions or even help you talk to future employees. Her Dean's seminar is amazing and the tests are straight forward if you take class notes.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SMPA50
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I had Professor Phalen for both SMPA 50 and her Hollywood and Politics Dean's Seminar. She was helpful, accessible, and knowledgeable in both courses, and she's very devoted to making sure everybody gets on-board. Highly recommended. Neither class was particularly difficult, but there is a decent amount of work.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SMPA50
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class is very interesting. There are only two exams. Make sure you do the textbook readings and go to the lectures. The topics she talks about during the lectures are interesting too (ratings, theories, ads).

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SMPA50
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She isn't always very clear and the textbook is horrendous, but she is overall pretty fair and interesting to listen to. There is only a midterm and a final and they are both easy for anyone who has done all the work. If you have any interest in television or social issues, take this class. It's pretty easy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SMPA801
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bit detached, but very competent and intelligent professor. Texts ranged from fascinating to incomprehensible, but class was always enjoyable. Do your work and you'll have no problem getting an A. As long as the TA likes you...

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SMPA801
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class is interesting but the professor and TA aren't into it. Professor doesn't even attend class most days, leaves the TA to do everything. The TA blatantly told me she grades "relatively" and so she couldn't even tell me how to improve my grade past "do better." Avoid the class, unless you don't care about your grade at all.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SMPA801
• 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:

Deans Seminars are meant to be more challenging. As Phalen warns, don't assume there won't be any work because film is mentioned in the course description: theres a lot of reading & writing. An A is easy if youre a strong writer and if you are you should certainly consider Phalen; she's brilliant & so amiable! If not (& be honest) I'd think twice.