Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Very dense, slides had lots of words. He would get off track a lot. Sometimes hard to tell what was necessary to know or not, especially when studying for exams. Plus, exams seemed unnecessary considering the sizable project we worked on throughout the course.Rate My Professors ↗
I didn't directly interact with him because a lot of the work for the class is done during discussion, but he's a pretty friendly guy from what I've seen in lecture. Pretty knowledgeable about the content, though the lectures can get long and kind of boring. There are 2 exams (50pt multiple choice) and 1 semester-long group project.Rate My Professors ↗
The group project is awful if you get paired with the wrong people, but the course concepts are interesting if you're passionate about a career in strategic communications. The capstone campaign project is a great portfolio item. Dhavan is fine as a professor -- didn't interact with him much but he's knowledgeable and respected.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Shah is an amazing professor that really knows how to engage with his students. The course was a semester long group project as well as 2 exams. He has so much experience that he wants to share with his students so he's a great resource to have. He is 100% willing to help and work with his students, he really wants them to succeed.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Shah is easily one of the best professors I've had in college. Worked in the marketing/communications field before teaching and has great stories and advice about the industry. Lecture can be note heavy but he makes it really enjoyable, and was always available for questions. He was flexible with due dates for takehome exams.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Shah is an outstanding researcher, but it is clear that his personal research takes priority over his students and the courses he teaches. Lectures were not related to assignments and multiple group papers. It felt like Shah and the TA were teaching two different courses. If you aren't into data, don't sign up for J566.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Introduction to strategic communication principles and practices for advertising, public relations, health, and political campaigns.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Dhavan Shah is described as helpful, engaging, and funny, using professional experience and real-life examples to keep lectures interesting. Reviewers note his background in strategic communications enhances the course, though one reviewer distinguishes his J345 performance from a tougher J614 experience.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026JOURN 681 is a mentored individual research and study course for students completing Honors in the Major.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
JOURN 682 is a senior honors thesis course involving mentored individual research and study for journalism majors completing their honors requirements.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleJOURN 691 is a mentored individual research and study course for students completing a senior thesis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
JOURN 692 is a mentored individual research course for students completing a senior thesis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
JOURN 697 is an advanced directed study course where students arrange projects based on internship experience with faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
JOURN 699 is a directed study course allowing students to arrange advanced projects with faculty.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2016: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=8 letter grades); Spring 2018: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=6 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2025 · limited sampleJOURN 990 is an advanced thesis course providing mentored reading and research for students with dissertator status.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
JOURN 999 is an advanced mentored reading and research course for dissertators.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 345 | Principles and Practice of Strategic Communication |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 692 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 697 | Internship |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 990 | Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | JOURN 999 | Independent Research Problems |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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