David Lightman | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
David Lightman JOUR320 Expecting a B+ Anonymous 04/29/2026	I was expecting this class to be extremely difficult, but it really was not bad at all. Lightman can be a tough grader and will take off points for extremely minor mistakes, but it really does make you become a better writer. As the course goes on, you figure out what he's looking for (AP style, no passive voice, and concise direct reporting with no fluff). He is a nice guy and maybe tries to intimidate you in the beginning, but as long as you aren't super lazy, then there's truly nothing to worry about. As far as class workload, it is very manageable. Every week there is an AP style quiz (super easy) and an in class article which is usually only a few paragraphs long. There is also usually one outside assignment a week and you really just show that you made an effort to contact people and did your research. He recommends that you go out to visit the place you pick for your beat, but I never did the entire semester and it didn't really affect my grade at all. There's not a final or any midterms or anything like that. He spaces out the clips in the semester so 2 are due before spring break and the other 3 are due by the end of the semester. It honestly just prevents you from procrastinating it, which I probably would have if he didn't assign them this way. He also offers extra credit that can cover a clip if you are fast enough to take on the offer, which makes the clip requirement feel even easier. I feel like I'm a pretty average student and not an overachiever or anything crazy and I found this class to be pretty easy and even enjoyable at times. Lightman is a solid professor and knows the field well. I was expecting this to be a miserable and overly difficult class, but it was truly just not bad at all. Don't listen to the fear mongering that everyone does about JOUR320 at all.
David Lightman JOUR320 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/17/2023	Really knowledgeable! He is a bit tough, but as long as you show up you will be fine. He understands 8 a.m. is early so he doesn't ask much of you so classtime is pretty chill. I recommend taking him, you'll learn a lot!
David Lightman JOUR320 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/09/2023	Okay, so I had him for an 8 a.m class and at first I was so scared of him. He seemed like an old, cranky guy who didn't take crap from anyone. BUT, I honestly grew to like him. He really cared about your performance and improving your skills. Don't get me wrong, he would scold you if you walked in even 30 seconds late and would take off a lotttt of points for using passive voice. (DON'T USE PASSIVE!!) As long as you put in the work and communicate with the prof, you will be fine. He expresses all of his expectations on the first day so be sure to listen to that. This class is not as hard as some people make it out to seem. Reach out to your sources early is the best tip I can give and text/email the prof if you need any help (or if ur running late!! he WILL scold you in front of the class so TEXT HIM!!!!)
David Lightman JOUR320 Expecting a B+ Anonymous 08/21/2012	Amazing professor. Extremely hard, and not always nice if you don't live up to his expectations. But taught me a ton about reporting and inspired me to work hard. Very challenging professor though, only take him if you want that extra challenge.
David Lightman JOUR320 Anonymous 12/16/2009	Be warned: he does not give you the whole semester to get your 10 clips. He gives you until the first week of December, so get your clips early!! Also, he makes you pick a "beat" which is a location in the area, like Greenbelt. You have to write lots of stories for your beat, such as a review of a council meeting and a profile of a business. Choose wisely. Anyway, he is great teacher and you will learn a lot in his class but it is very hard. Forget giving 110%, you need to give 210% to pass this class. I'm not kidding!

David Lightman
JOUR320

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
04/29/2026

I was expecting this class to be extremely difficult, but it really was not bad at all. Lightman can be a tough grader and will take off points for extremely minor mistakes, but it really does make you become a better writer. As the course goes on, you figure out what he's looking for (AP style, no passive voice, and concise direct reporting with no fluff). He is a nice guy and maybe tries to intimidate you in the beginning, but as long as you aren't super lazy, then there's truly nothing to worry about. As far as class workload, it is very manageable. Every week there is an AP style quiz (super easy) and an in class article which is usually only a few paragraphs long. There is also usually one outside assignment a week and you really just show that you made an effort to contact people and did your research. He recommends that you go out to visit the place you pick for your beat, but I never did the entire semester and it didn't really affect my grade at all. There's not a final or any midterms or anything like that. He spaces out the clips in the semester so 2 are due before spring break and the other 3 are due by the end of the semester. It honestly just prevents you from procrastinating it, which I probably would have if he didn't assign them this way. He also offers extra credit that can cover a clip if you are fast enough to take on the offer, which makes the clip requirement feel even easier. I feel like I'm a pretty average student and not an overachiever or anything crazy and I found this class to be pretty easy and even enjoyable at times. Lightman is a solid professor and knows the field well. I was expecting this to be a miserable and overly difficult class, but it was truly just not bad at all. Don't listen to the fear mongering that everyone does about JOUR320 at all.

David Lightman
JOUR320

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/17/2023

Really knowledgeable! He is a bit tough, but as long as you show up you will be fine. He understands 8 a.m. is early so he doesn't ask much of you so classtime is pretty chill. I recommend taking him, you'll learn a lot!

David Lightman
JOUR320

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/09/2023

Okay, so I had him for an 8 a.m class and at first I was so scared of him. He seemed like an old, cranky guy who didn't take crap from anyone. BUT, I honestly grew to like him. He really cared about your performance and improving your skills. Don't get me wrong, he would scold you if you walked in even 30 seconds late and would take off a lotttt of points for using passive voice. (DON'T USE PASSIVE!!) As long as you put in the work and communicate with the prof, you will be fine. He expresses all of his expectations on the first day so be sure to listen to that. This class is not as hard as some people make it out to seem. Reach out to your sources early is the best tip I can give and text/email the prof if you need any help (or if ur running late!! he WILL scold you in front of the class so TEXT HIM!!!!)

David Lightman
JOUR320

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
08/21/2012

Amazing professor. Extremely hard, and not always nice if you don't live up to his expectations. But taught me a ton about reporting and inspired me to work hard. Very challenging professor though, only take him if you want that extra challenge.

David Lightman
JOUR320

Anonymous
12/16/2009

Be warned: he does not give you the whole semester to get your 10 clips. He gives you until the first week of December, so get your clips early!! Also, he makes you pick a "beat" which is a location in the area, like Greenbelt. You have to write lots of stories for your beat, such as a review of a council meeting and a profile of a business. Choose wisely. Anyway, he is great teacher and you will learn a lot in his class but it is very hard. Forget giving 110%, you need to give 210% to pass this class. I'm not kidding!