Organizational Studies Student Assembly (OSSA)

Fall 1999 CRISP Meeting

Disclaimer

Below are summaries of voluntary comments made by several Orgainzational Studies students regarding their opinions of specific University courses and their instructors. It should be noted that the information below does not necessarily reflect the views of OSSA, its student leaders, or its members. Not all approved Organizational Studies courses are included in this list and information for the courses listed may be incomplete due to changing professors or the fact that students at the meeting had limited knowledge about certain courses or professors. Keeping all of this in mind, this information is being posted strictly as a resource for students to reference while making course registration decisions.

Communication Studies

351 - Structure and Function of Media Systems (4)

the class is fairly average, with exams and papers that are not harshly graded

361 - Proceses of Mediated Communication (4)

Professor Jill Edy is not particularly interesting
the class deals with many of the important themes and topics within the mass media today
coursework includes 2 papers (approximately 5 pages each) and 2 blue book exams that are quite long, but are fairly graded

381 - Media Impact on Knowledge, Values, and Behavior (4)

Professor Kristen Harrison is a great instructor who is young and interesting
the class is heavily based on learning about research, as well as doing research
coursework is interesting and straightforward, and papers and exams are fairly easy

452 - Media Law & Policy (3)

course has a considerable amount of reading

484 - Media and Political Behavior (4)

Professor Valentino is a great young instructor who is very accessible to students
the course requires a good deal of reading
coursework includes 3 blue book exams and 2 papers (including one longer "term paper")

Economics

330 - American Industries (3)

Professor Adams is a former Golden Apple award winner
coursework includes 2 blue book exams and a 3-5 page paper
students don't need to have taken Econ 101 or 102 to feel comfortable in the class

491 - History of American Economics (3)

class was not particularly interesting
students don't need to have taken Econ 101 or 102 to feel comfortable in the class
class can be taken for ECB credit

History

370 - Women in America to 1870 (3)

Professor Karlsen does not seem knowledgeable, is not a useful resource to students overall, and is a bit of a difficult grader
coursework includes 2 blue book exams and regular journal entries on course readings, discussions, etc.

466 - US from 1901-1933 (3)

Professor Sidney Fine is a past Golden Apple Award-winner, and is said to be one of the best instructors at the university
coursework requires a considerable amount of reading
this course is typically tough to CRISP into

569 - American Business History (3)

students compare this course to a "high school history class"
Professor Lewis is a great instructor who provides a lot of information in lectures and does not require a great deal of reading (only a $9 coursepack was required for the course)
coursework includes 3 multiple choice exams, a book report, and an optional extra credit exam

Psychology

360 - Introduction to Organizational Psychology (4)

classes and required reading is very interesting
coursework includes 2 blue book exams, along with a few short papers

361 - Advanced Laboratory in Organizational Psychology (4)

course is overseen by professor, but is actually taught by a pair of GSIs (which are quality instructors)
class is focused around a semester-long personal research project that begins with the development of a topic and hypothesis and follows through actual survey distribution and data analysis, finally concluding in a 15-page project paper
class focuses on survey methods and important topics in organizations today, and provides a great hands-on learning experience
coursework (not including final project paper) includes 2 exams and an individual presentation

380 - Introduction to Social Psychology (4)

regardless of which instructor(s) teach this course, it is a fun and interesting course because of the subject matter
coursework includes 3 multiple choice exams, 3 short papers, and 1-2 small projects

411 - Gender and Group Process in a Multicultural Context (3)

the class is very small and is heavily focused on group discussion
a great deal of time in the course is spent developing and dealing with "class norms"
students take turns facilitating a class discussion (in small groups) for a day

464 - Group Behavior in Organizations (3)

Professor Saavedra is extremely laid back and personable, wants students to do well, and makes himself very accessible to class
coursework includes a good deal of group work (including a final group project), and 3 exams which are fairly easy

Spanish

305 - Spanish Business and Profession (3)

course material is very interesting and focuses on different areas of marketing and finance
course would be helpful to anyone interested in international business
coursework includes a personal presentation, midterm, and research report

Sociology

210 - Elementary Statistics (4)

Professor Harris is a fairly boring lecturer, although tests are fair
students either really enjoy the class or really dislike it
course is not any easier than Stats 402

447 - Sociology of Gender (3)

Professor Honeycutt gives out a good deal of information in class lectures, but also shows many videos in class
it is very important to keep up with the assigned course readings, although the reading load is not considerably difficult or overwhelming in quantity
coursework includes one 8-10 page paper, a midterm exam, and a take-home final

454 - Law and Social Organization (3)

Professor Dan Sharphorn has a very dry personality and sense of humor
exams and papers focus mainly on lecture notes, so it is important to go to class and take good notes
the class starts out very slowly and is initially somewhat uninteresting, but it gets progressively better as the semester goes on

Statistics

402 - Introducton to Statistics (4)

Professor Gunderson's lecture section is a former Golden Apple award winner, and is the best instructor to have for this classs
many GSIs for the class do not speak very clear english
coursework includes regular homework assignments and 3 exams
it is important to keep up in class work

OBHRM (B-School)

300 - Behavior Theory and Management (3)

the course was challenging and based heavily in business (like Psych 360)
coursework includes 2 papers, a group paper, and many case studies

315 - Management of Personnel (3)

Professor Lerche is excellent and draws heavily on her own real-world experiences
course focuses on leadership and leadership theory in HR management
the course's reading list for this class is extrememly engaging and interesting, including The Dilbert Principle and Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson (the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers
coursework includes a 5-page paper, 2 blue book exams (one that was partially take-home), and a group project/presentation that is fun to work on


Communication Studies
351 - Structure and Function of Media Systems (4)	the class is fairly average, with exams and papers that are not harshly graded
361 - Proceses of Mediated Communication (4)	Professor Jill Edy is not particularly interesting the class deals with many of the important themes and topics within the mass media today coursework includes 2 papers (approximately 5 pages each) and 2 blue book exams that are quite long, but are fairly graded
381 - Media Impact on Knowledge, Values, and Behavior (4)	Professor Kristen Harrison is a great instructor who is young and interesting the class is heavily based on learning about research, as well as doing research coursework is interesting and straightforward, and papers and exams are fairly easy
452 - Media Law & Policy (3)	course has a considerable amount of reading
484 - Media and Political Behavior (4)	Professor Valentino is a great young instructor who is very accessible to students the course requires a good deal of reading coursework includes 3 blue book exams and 2 papers (including one longer "term paper")

Economics
330 - American Industries (3)	Professor Adams is a former Golden Apple award winner coursework includes 2 blue book exams and a 3-5 page paper students don't need to have taken Econ 101 or 102 to feel comfortable in the class
491 - History of American Economics (3)	class was not particularly interesting students don't need to have taken Econ 101 or 102 to feel comfortable in the class class can be taken for ECB credit

History
370 - Women in America to 1870 (3)	Professor Karlsen does not seem knowledgeable, is not a useful resource to students overall, and is a bit of a difficult grader coursework includes 2 blue book exams and regular journal entries on course readings, discussions, etc.
466 - US from 1901-1933 (3)	Professor Sidney Fine is a past Golden Apple Award-winner, and is said to be one of the best instructors at the university coursework requires a considerable amount of reading this course is typically tough to CRISP into
569 - American Business History (3)	students compare this course to a "high school history class" Professor Lewis is a great instructor who provides a lot of information in lectures and does not require a great deal of reading (only a $9 coursepack was required for the course) coursework includes 3 multiple choice exams, a book report, and an optional extra credit exam

Psychology
360 - Introduction to Organizational Psychology (4)	classes and required reading is very interesting coursework includes 2 blue book exams, along with a few short papers
361 - Advanced Laboratory in Organizational Psychology (4)	course is overseen by professor, but is actually taught by a pair of GSIs (which are quality instructors) class is focused around a semester-long personal research project that begins with the development of a topic and hypothesis and follows through actual survey distribution and data analysis, finally concluding in a 15-page project paper class focuses on survey methods and important topics in organizations today, and provides a great hands-on learning experience coursework (not including final project paper) includes 2 exams and an individual presentation
380 - Introduction to Social Psychology (4)	regardless of which instructor(s) teach this course, it is a fun and interesting course because of the subject matter coursework includes 3 multiple choice exams, 3 short papers, and 1-2 small projects
411 - Gender and Group Process in a Multicultural Context (3)	the class is very small and is heavily focused on group discussion a great deal of time in the course is spent developing and dealing with "class norms" students take turns facilitating a class discussion (in small groups) for a day
464 - Group Behavior in Organizations (3)	Professor Saavedra is extremely laid back and personable, wants students to do well, and makes himself very accessible to class coursework includes a good deal of group work (including a final group project), and 3 exams which are fairly easy

Spanish
305 - Spanish Business and Profession (3)	course material is very interesting and focuses on different areas of marketing and finance course would be helpful to anyone interested in international business coursework includes a personal presentation, midterm, and research report

Sociology
210 - Elementary Statistics (4)	Professor Harris is a fairly boring lecturer, although tests are fair students either really enjoy the class or really dislike it course is not any easier than Stats 402
447 - Sociology of Gender (3)	Professor Honeycutt gives out a good deal of information in class lectures, but also shows many videos in class it is very important to keep up with the assigned course readings, although the reading load is not considerably difficult or overwhelming in quantity coursework includes one 8-10 page paper, a midterm exam, and a take-home final
454 - Law and Social Organization (3)	Professor Dan Sharphorn has a very dry personality and sense of humor exams and papers focus mainly on lecture notes, so it is important to go to class and take good notes the class starts out very slowly and is initially somewhat uninteresting, but it gets progressively better as the semester goes on

Statistics
402 - Introducton to Statistics (4)	Professor Gunderson's lecture section is a former Golden Apple award winner, and is the best instructor to have for this classs many GSIs for the class do not speak very clear english coursework includes regular homework assignments and 3 exams it is important to keep up in class work

OBHRM (B-School)
300 - Behavior Theory and Management (3)	the course was challenging and based heavily in business (like Psych 360) coursework includes 2 papers, a group paper, and many case studies
315 - Management of Personnel (3)	Professor Lerche is excellent and draws heavily on her own real-world experiences course focuses on leadership and leadership theory in HR management the course's reading list for this class is extrememly engaging and interesting, including The Dilbert Principle and Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson (the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers coursework includes a 5-page paper, 2 blue book exams (one that was partially take-home), and a group project/presentation that is fun to work on