I really enjoyed this class despite the massive amount of readings we got each week. (Just make sure to read at least 1 a week). But if you're not interested in this topic I'm pretty sure there are easier GEs. The lectures themselves were pretty easy to understand, however, if you don't understand, the TAs go over the material every week. There were 2 midterm essays and a final comprised of short answers and 2 essays. Both were pretty doable as long as you read the material and took good notes. For the midterm, it's also really helpful to ask your TA questions if you need clarification. Shoutout to Anthony Frigon for helping me survive this class and for making this class engaging.

Super interesting, useful, as well as interdisciplinary content, though more economics then I expected. The class is definitely less theoretical than an economics class, and instead relies much more on observations of the real world (shocker, you get a more accurate picture of globalization).

I would actually especially recommend this GE for Economics majors (though anyone interested in globalization / global issues would like this course) since there is some overlap with Econ 1+2, and because I think it's super important to look at issues like trade, development, firm decisions, monetary policy, climate change, and immigration from a geographic lens too. This class fills in some of the gaping blind spots of Econ 1+2 (yet doesn't require those courses by any means).

Professor Rigby was cool to talk to in office hours. This class was based around the readings (which are hard), however since the lectures often went over the most important points I could have done fine while only reading the texts that my TA singled out as the most necessary.

This class hit me like the bus in Mean Girls. So many articles to read every week and quizzes that would include questions that were super specific to the reading so you can't really skip reading. Then, there are two assignments that each had their own set of readings..safe to say that this isn't an easy GE. Unless you have a strong background about this class' topic, skip taking it.

I feel indifferent about this class - as a Business Economics major a lot, of the information was already known to me. Prof. Rigby certainly has some political bias that shows in his lectures. The class is very doable though, with short lectures and easy weekly quizzes. The labs are incredibly boring - I didn't pay attention to them at all and did fine. The readings were excessive and only needed to complete the weekly quizzes. The assignments are harshly graded considering how there is no rubric. There is no textbook for this class.
A good class to take as a history GE.
I got an A by taking notes on OneNote while watching the lectures, skimming the readings, and completing the essays well before the due date.

I took this class to fulfil a GE requirement and I definitely recommend it. Lectures were prerecorded and were only about 40 minutes a week. Discussions are 2 hours once a week but almost always run short. There are 2 essays total, about 1200 words each, the grading on these essays is a bit harsh depending on the TA and so I would suggest writing them ahead of the due date and going to TA office hours asking for revisions. The readings every week are a bit lengthy but you can skim them and get by.

If you took AP Human Geography in high school and enjoyed it, you’ll definitely enjoy this class. There are many similarities and I thought the information was super interesting and relevant!! You learn a lot about the relationships between economics, the environment, and human development. As for workload, it was kind of a lot, so I really wish this wasn’t an asynchronous class. The professor was really cool and I wish I would have gotten to meet him in person. So if you can hold off on taking this, I would. Anyway, the readings were pretty freaking long and I never finished any of them. Unfortunately that did end up hurting me. I got by okay, and did well on the two essays, but the final hit hard. It’s not exactly a hard class, I just didn’t put enough effort in. If you’re willing to do the work, this class is very rewarding and definitely worth it.

This class was definitely a little difficult for me as someone who does not have much background in economic geography. Professor Rigby can talk a little slowly sometimes, but his lectures are very thorough and helpful. Overall it isn't too bad, but just anticipate a lot of reading and work, especially if this is not a subject that comes easily to you.

I really enjoyed this class, primarily because it was more of an econ class than a geography one. There are two written assignments, a final, and weekly quizzes or short essays. The written assignments take a LONG time to get done - 1500 words, but you have to reference 4 30-page research papers in your answer - mainly because you aren't given concrete guidelines. The final is also insane: 2 hours to write two full essays, five short (one paragraph) responses, and some multiple choice questions. You will learn a lot, but you will need to work for your grade. If you can, pick Sam Nowak as your TA. He is goated.

This was a very heavy reading course. I would not recommend for someone looking to fill a GE credit unless you have a STRONG interest in economics. Many of the students already have a strong background in econ, and it is essentially playing to catch up with them the entire quarter. Essays are graded by different TAs each time and the consistency is lacking. Your essay will be graded partially upon how well you did in comparison to other students. The grading was incredibly unhelpful and unless you get lucky with your TA, you have a lot of work (and reading) ahead of you.

Loved this class. Highly recommend if you have any interest in economics, global studies, etc. Rigby is very knowledgable and passionate about the subject. 2 essays and a written final. Essay topics were not too difficult but essays did take some time. Very short weekly writing assignments.