Carlson, Cassandra  

Dr. Carlson is an outstanding professor, who really takes the time to make things clear and help you along the way. Public Speaking was the class I dreaded the most, and was always anxious about in high school. However, I had an extremely positive experience in this class and came out completely confident in my speaking abilities. She realizes that it can be a nerve-racking thing, and creates a very comfortable environment to speak in, along with very fair grading according to each individual's abilities. Reading quizzes were simple, short, and a great way to boost your grade. Only 4 speeches, and she did plenty of prep work with us so that we felt ready before presenting in class. Take her class if you get the chance!!

I was not looking forward to taking this class whatsoever, but Dr. Carlson was AMAZING and made it a class that I actually looked forward to attending. She's a breath of fresh air, and works hard to relate to students so it's a fun, comfortable learning environment. Her grading is very fair, and she does her best to grade each student based on their past performances to encourage personal growth. On that same note, she provides detailed comments on how to improve. Dr. Carlson's expectations were also really clear for this class so nothing was a surprise. Due dates, expectations for speeches, and what to expect on exams were always really clear. She was also really helpful in office hours- she doesn't read speeches ahead of time, but she's great about offering advice and examples of what to say. Dr. Carlson wasn't just a great professor, but a great person. If Dr. Carlson is an option, take her class!!

I liked Dr. Carlson a lot at the beginning of the quarter. Her class was fun, she managed to make her lectures bearable to the point where people did not fall asleep, which is impressive for COMS 101. She has reasonable speech assignments, and is a good teacher, presenting the material clearly etc. However, I found that Dr. Carlson really had very high expectations for everyone in the course, and taught it in the way I would expect a major class to be taught which is unrealistic. I found that she had pretty strict rules and rough consequences, and she often got very defensive if anyone said anything that might hint at an insult towards her even if it wasn't. For example, when someone pointed out that she had not put the assignment for a speech on poly learn, she was rather harsh to them about how they should have come talked to her about it before the day of the speech, which was true, but the attitude she spoke with was not necessary for the students comment. Also she made her midterm and final very difficult with material that was never covered in class, and some questions that did not ever show up in the book. It is obvious that Dr. Carlson is very smart, and she is a very good lecturer, her class is enjoyable and not as scary as a COMS class could be for someone who does not like public speaking. I would recommend this class, but just be prepared that Dr. Carlson is very strict in her ways and may not be as understanding of student difficulties as other profs.

Dr. Carlson made public speaking bearable. I was afraid to take this class because I've heard it's really hard in general unless you like speaking. She will make you do the work but is really understanding and gives a lot of time to students to prepare stuff. There are reading quizzes not exams, so we had to keep up with the reading. Don't expect her to do the work for you. Do expect to laugh. She's funny and a lot of experience. I think I'll get a B but I still give her an A for making this topic fun.

Carlson gets it. I was scared before coming into methods but she made it step by step for us. Its not an easy class but I feel smarter about doing research now. She knows a ton about both kinds of research which is useful for those of us who don't do well with statistics stuff.

I never would have survived this class with another Methods teacher. We miss you Dr. C.

Carlson is a great teacher and you need to present, taking notes, and thinking critically about the things discussed in class. There are a lot of online readings that apply textbook concepts to specific topics but she understands how busy we all are. They were interesting most of the time. Discussion leaders present the content to the class, oversee discussion, and then give a synopsis online, which is where the exam questions come from. Nothing was a surprise on exams, though follow her study guides.. You need to attend as often as possible. It's not hard b/c she presents the material in a really refreshing and open way. But if you miss classes you may miss chances to earn points with in-class activities and quizzes. They're pretty easy but you have to be there to take them. I learned a lot about myself and communicating to others that I'll remember for the future.

I waited all quarter to evaluate Dr. Carlson because I've never been in a class with a professor who cares so much about the course and her students. She talks about intercultural communication as concepts and skills and as an Agricultural student it wasn't over my head even though I'm not a major. The class gave me a lot to think about. Attend class, do the readings, follow the study guides, and you'll do fine. Two exams, in-class applications, a discussion leading, and a final analyst paper are the grade. She's always available to help with them and unlike some professors doesn't make you feel stupid for sharing your opinions or asking questions. I'd take her again if I could.

Dr. Carlson is the best professor I ever had! She really wants to help her students do well. I learned a lot and she made the subject I was dreading the most my favorite class of the quarter.

I took persuasion with Dr. Carlson and it was amazing. She works really hard to present materials that matter, not just recite from the book or her slideshow presentation. She used engaging examples and encouraged class discussion and mini-activities to help break up the two hour lecture. This isn't an appropriate method for all classes but for this one it was great. She herself follows the learn by doing motto, changing her classes quarter after quarter based on feedback, which is awesome because often we feel as though the surveys mean nothing. When people had questions she went through them very thoroughly and always made sure to ask if her explanation clarified. If it didn't, she was available in office hours and often by appointment. She had high expectations but wanted everyone to succeed and would put the time to help make sure they did. APA format and no cell phones were here big rules, and not following these could get you docked major points. Her class is for the most part participation, one project and two tests. Participation is easy because she makes speaking up easy and invites multiple perspectives, and the in-class quizes are based on big points from the reading. The big project is a campaign assignment where you create promotions for an organization using the persuasive strategies discussed. You are given pretty much all quarter and class time, and if you don't procrastinate it is really a fair assignment. The tests come from notes, and she doesn't use trick questions, but take good notes and do the reading because her slides aren't online, with a few exceptions. Carlson has been by far my favorite teacher. I looked forward to her class every day, and took Coms 316 specifically with her. I hope to take more classes with her and if she is an option you should take whatever class it is with her.

Dr. Carlson goes beyond the classroom to help her students. She genuinely cares about every student's success and will assist you with whatever you need. Her class is very straight forward. Midterm, final, Final project, as well as some other aspects thrown in. If you have the opportunity to have Dr. C as an instructor, take it because she is truly incredible.

Dr. Carlson is super rad. The class is very straight forward. Show up, take good notes, ask questions, follow the study guide for exams, and do the assigned readings to pass the content reflections (quizzes on readings). Assignments are reasonable but don't wait until the last minute to get things done. Dr. C makes class interesting and fun, would recommend her class to anyone!

Family Communication is the best class I've ever taken at Cal Poly. They should offer this class more often. Dr. C is inspiring, approachable, and her teaching style is great. She isn't afriad to hit hard topics and make everyone feel valued. I enjoyed coming to class every day. Take her even if it's for another class.

Family Comm was FANTASTIC. Dr C. cares so much about her students and wants us to succeed. She knew so much about family communication, and made everything really applied to real life. There were two exams and a family charter and analysis, and in-class activities. She was always available to help and always willing to involve the class with discussion. I really enjoyed her as a professor and the class material.

What else is there to say? Fine person, nothing interesting. Class was meh... Blah, blah, blah... Fine person.

Professor Carlson is very enthusiastic and enjoyable. However, she doesn't teach this course and never has. If you look, someone has planted these FRSC courses in several Communication Studies professors' ratings. Lame.