Class was simple and the professor graded everything nicely and on time. If you turned things in, you're gonna do good. But this could also be because the class was online, asynchronous, and in the summer. Easy summer class either way.

Prof McKinnon is great. Actual lecture information is in modules and is done outside of class. One in-person case study/week to apply module information to real-life scenarios. Quizzes on module information. Papers are linked to learned content. Papers were of value bc I learned how to write in different formats (press release, cover letter, etc)

Prof McKinnon definitely cares about her students and is passionate about the class, it is quite easy if you just do the work and show up to class. Don't need to do the readings.

The class is boring, the Canvas page is a nightmare, and there is a lot of little assignments throughout the semester so you often do a lot of work for only a few points. That being said--it is extremely easy to get an A, but you probably won't actually learn anything.

I didn't enjoy the online class. It was boring and very political. I felt uncomfortable with some of the participation questions. I didn't connect with the teacher and didn't feel like I learned anything. The case studies can be fun, but are way too long for how few points there are. It was an easy A but I hated it. More work from TA than teacher.

Prof. McKinnon's class was definitely one of my favorite courses so far at UW. She uses relevant examples of the course concepts and the assignments are all applicable things that one might use in a communications career.

Mediocre. Online is terribly structured with a confusing amount of info/links. A small # of points are spread out through many polls and weekly case studies. Case studies require excessive amount of work for little points. Directions are long and needlessly wordy . Too much busy work & unreasonable expectations for an intro lvl class.

Prof. McKinnon was an excellent instructor for this course. Although it was online, she did a good job of making us feel comfortable. I chose to do an in-person discussion section, and that was easy - simply show up & pass. Easy course to take + beneficial for all majors!

I really enjoyed having Dr. McKinnon. This was my first Com Arts class to fulfill some gen-ed requirements. The course material was very engaging and more than manageable. Everything was done online over Canvas. She always responded to questions/messages within 24 hours and used clear grading rubrics. I'd definitely would take this again!

Dr. McKinnon is one of the best professors on campus. I've taken two of her classes, and learned so much. The readings she chooses are incredibly thought-provoking page-turners on subjects that are otherwise dry. She creates interesting assignments, challenges you, and grades fairly. She's very good at facilitating class discussions. Good feedback.

The TA's do grade papers harshly, but the course material is basic and exams are pretty straightforward. You will have to work hard on the papers (there are a lot of them). Sara is a good lecturer and is very, very nice.

Sara's lectures are really engaging, however sometimes they are really boring if you already know something about the presented topic. Expect to write 5 papers which will be graded super harshly. My TA was not helpful at all so you don't need their help in this class. The exams are easy if you read the texbook thoroughly.

I loved going to lecture for this class -- Sara always had good, engaging examples and was lovely to talk to outside of the class. However, I really did not like discussion for this class. My TA basically told us that she never gives A's because that would mean we didn't have to improve, so I ended up with an AB in the class despite its easiness.

She's definitely one of my favorite professors. She is friendly and easy to listen to. I took notes by hand and she gives you enough time to write down the slides AND what she's saying. She repeats important concepts from the slides to add emphasis, with real life examples. She's passionate about the subject. But TA grades good papers harshly.

Sara's super enthusiastic about the material and it shows in her lectures. She's always willing to answer questions whether that's in lecture or during office hours. She's super friendly and is easy to connect with. I would take this course again.

Professor McKinnon is one of my favorite professors at Madison so far. Her material was interesting and you could tell she was passionate about the subject matter. Attendance is important if you want to do well in the class. As far as the TAs go, I loved mine. If you actually work with your TA and show dedication, you'll do well.

Sara sometimes has interesting lectures but for the most part she covers broad topics but then digs deep into unimportant details which makes it possible to write, let alone remember, everything she says in class. The papers are all graded by TA's who grade impossibly hard and Sara writes the most awful and confusing test questions.

Everything you've read on here about the TAs being the most difficult and obnoxious graders is true. They pride themselves making it basically impossible to get above a B on the papers. For every paper I would follow the rubric exactly, send a first draft to my TA for feedback and do everything possible to fix it and still get a crappy grade.

she was very engaging and professional. It's easy to see that this woman knows what she is doing. reading load is light. if you go to class and read the communication research you will get a good grade no problem.

Great professor and loved the class!

Her lectures were super interesting and engaging. It was very easy to listen to her speak and the powerpoints were very well organized. The tests are not difficult if you attend class and take good notes. The TA makes this class more difficult than it should be because she is a tough grader. I hated discussion because of her but loved lecture.

I took this class for SS credits thinking it would be painless... 2/3 of your grade are essays, and the TAs make getting As on them impossible, leaving only tests and discussion to boost your grade to the unfair A cutoff of 93%. In addition, almost all useful lecture info is oral, so the online slides are useless. EC does nothing for your grade.

Dr. McKinnon was a great speaker and did a great job of making her lectures very interesting. Very easy on the eyes as well. The downside for the class is that your TA's are basically responsible for your grade, and it seems some of them are not capable of giving a grade higher than a B for your papers.

Nice lady, not a great class. Fairly boring to anyone not interested in a communication arts major. The material seemed to be over complication of easy straight forward knowledge. Terms describing and complicating something like friendship for example. The tests where even more in depth from there. Grading scale is strict.

She is an excellent professor and keeps lecture interesting. However, the TAs determine the grades and they grade as if you are communication grad student. Nearly impossible to get an A on assignments. Expect readings every night. There are two tests and five papers. I would not take this class if you are not forced too. Not an easy A at all.

Sara was an overall solid professor. The only downside is you get really burned from missing lectures, as she posts intentionally incomplete slide from lectures, leaving you to use your fellow students as a crutch. My TA made the class significantly more difficult grade wise, but was helpful when approached. The grade is mostly determined by the TA

Dr. Mckinnon is great. Her powerpoints are very detailed and helpful. Your grade however is mostly determined by your TA. I had Miranda as my TA and she is a tough grader. She is very relaxed and always willing to help, but I never got above a B on any assignments.

she's the absolute greatest, anyone would be lucky to have her

Very passionate, kind, interesting and kept me engaged. Tests were fair and readings helpful. However, the TA I had completely ruined the class for me and destroyed any paper I wrote for her ( which your grade is most dependent on)

Really interesting lady. Teaches the material very very well, however it take a while to fully understand the structure of the course. Her exams are VERY straight forward if you attend lecture. Hard to get an A if you struggle as a writer. Suggest taking this class. She's good stuff

She starts off a little confusing but as you learn her presenting style it becomes so much easier. She has great power points and a lot of great knowledge that she is passionate about sharing. Go to lecture! The tests are what she says in class.

Prof. McKinnon gets a bad rap because her lecture is at 850 am. While staying awake is difficult, she is extremely knowledgeable and makes a really boring subject somewhat interesting. Plus, her hairstyle always changes which is a fun twist on a mundane class.

I had Sara her first semester here and I loved her. She is the one who sparked my interest in ComArts. Incredibly nice lady and helpful if you need it. It's not the easiest class ever but definitely manageable and the study guides she gives are so helpful. really interesting class and i keep looking for more classes to take with her.

I believe Dr. Mckinnon is a great professor. She does try and make small talk with you which is nice; she's trying to show interest in the students. She does grade papers kind of tough, but she is fair. Her exam was super easy and the studyguide she gives is incredibly helpful. She's very nice during office hours and helpful. I'd recommend her

She is the teacher everyone loves until they realize they are failing the class. The subject matter is not hard at all, but she makes it (last semester 4% got A's...this is not rocket science) Also she calls on people in her 300 person lecture and tries to make small talk with you at 8:50 am on a monday. Just sort of annoying.

I was told this class would be so much fun and very interesting..well it is not with her. So much is demanded from you and it is basically impossible to get an A in the class. She was enthusiastic, but made nothing interesting. I wouldn't advise taking this with her.