Professor
Edward McDevitt
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Most Helpful Review
OMIGOSH. how does he even remember all those lectures?!?!?! he is sooooo extremely organized and a great lecturer. plus, he writes BIG so everyone sees it. i don't think he cares much about the students though. either u want to learn, or u don't. DON'T READ THE BOOK. in fact, DON'T BUY THE BOOK. of all the econ books i've bought, McDevitt's LECTURE NOTES are the best! if u have his notes, why bother w/ the useless book? he's a very fair grader... midterms and final is a bit hard... u really need to know ur stuff. if u're looking for an easy class, don't take him. but if i were u, i would take him even if the lectures were at 8 o'clock every morning rather than some other professor...
OMIGOSH. how does he even remember all those lectures?!?!?! he is sooooo extremely organized and a great lecturer. plus, he writes BIG so everyone sees it. i don't think he cares much about the students though. either u want to learn, or u don't. DON'T READ THE BOOK. in fact, DON'T BUY THE BOOK. of all the econ books i've bought, McDevitt's LECTURE NOTES are the best! if u have his notes, why bother w/ the useless book? he's a very fair grader... midterms and final is a bit hard... u really need to know ur stuff. if u're looking for an easy class, don't take him. but if i were u, i would take him even if the lectures were at 8 o'clock every morning rather than some other professor...
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Most Helpful Review
What most people say about McDevitt is true: he's not too interesting, but he's a darn good professor. He explains things clearly and concisely. All you need is the lecture (take good notes, don't miss them) and don't bother with the book. Somehow he memorizes his lectures perfectly--he knows it backwards and forwards. Get old lecture notes and follow along. Try to get old midterms and finals, also. McDevitt also makes it easy for you to ask questions to him. He makes extra office hours, so if you need them, take them. Section isn't mandatory, so shop around for a good TA that will supplement his material. He's a nice guy, but even if he weren't, it'd be okay. He's frank and no-nonsense, which is refreshing because you get what you ask for. Tests aren't easy, but the key is understanding. Study questions help significantly, but again, know the concepts. Memorizing questions isn't that helpful. Time is a factor, so know your material and work fast. His multiple choice is tricky, but spend time on it. Free response isn't too terrible either. The curve is relatively generous, but don't expect this to be an easy A. Overall, I recommend him because he'll teach you what you'll need to know without too much pain. It is supposedly a weeder class, so don't freak out. At all means, take him before thinking about anyone else!
What most people say about McDevitt is true: he's not too interesting, but he's a darn good professor. He explains things clearly and concisely. All you need is the lecture (take good notes, don't miss them) and don't bother with the book. Somehow he memorizes his lectures perfectly--he knows it backwards and forwards. Get old lecture notes and follow along. Try to get old midterms and finals, also. McDevitt also makes it easy for you to ask questions to him. He makes extra office hours, so if you need them, take them. Section isn't mandatory, so shop around for a good TA that will supplement his material. He's a nice guy, but even if he weren't, it'd be okay. He's frank and no-nonsense, which is refreshing because you get what you ask for. Tests aren't easy, but the key is understanding. Study questions help significantly, but again, know the concepts. Memorizing questions isn't that helpful. Time is a factor, so know your material and work fast. His multiple choice is tricky, but spend time on it. Free response isn't too terrible either. The curve is relatively generous, but don't expect this to be an easy A. Overall, I recommend him because he'll teach you what you'll need to know without too much pain. It is supposedly a weeder class, so don't freak out. At all means, take him before thinking about anyone else!
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2020 - McDevitt is by FAR the best econ professor i've encountered at UCLA. His tests are hard and his tests make up your entire grade (45% midterms, 55% final) but he never tries to trick you and the tests are fair (nothing he doesn't cover in class are on exams). He gives practice exams which are incredibly helpful in studying for the tests, and provides detailed notes that are almost word for word in what he goes over during lecture, so if you miss something in lecture you can go back. McDevitt is so accommodating to his students, and gives extra office hours in the days leading up to the exams and always gives detailed answers and more to whatever you ask. I cannot sing higher praises for this professor, he knows his stuff and is fair to his students.
Spring 2020 - McDevitt is by FAR the best econ professor i've encountered at UCLA. His tests are hard and his tests make up your entire grade (45% midterms, 55% final) but he never tries to trick you and the tests are fair (nothing he doesn't cover in class are on exams). He gives practice exams which are incredibly helpful in studying for the tests, and provides detailed notes that are almost word for word in what he goes over during lecture, so if you miss something in lecture you can go back. McDevitt is so accommodating to his students, and gives extra office hours in the days leading up to the exams and always gives detailed answers and more to whatever you ask. I cannot sing higher praises for this professor, he knows his stuff and is fair to his students.
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Most Helpful Review
For an economics teacher, sure. I'll give him that - his lectures are clear and concise. But when you're going into this class, don't bring your hopes up. UCLA Economics requires you to do a lot of self study and understand the material by yourself. The "best" teacher I ever had is Ravetch. This guy does not belong in this league of teachers. When you mumble and recite from memory an insurmountable amount of information, I am not impressed. This guy is NOT as good as everyone else says he is. Do not buy the lecture notes, take your own notes. You need all the help you can get internalizing the theory. Short answer is not tough, but multiple choice questions (answer choices a-k) are pretty ridiculous sometimes. Overall, it really doesn't matter what professor you take for any economics class, as it's going to be ridiculous and BS anyway.
For an economics teacher, sure. I'll give him that - his lectures are clear and concise. But when you're going into this class, don't bring your hopes up. UCLA Economics requires you to do a lot of self study and understand the material by yourself. The "best" teacher I ever had is Ravetch. This guy does not belong in this league of teachers. When you mumble and recite from memory an insurmountable amount of information, I am not impressed. This guy is NOT as good as everyone else says he is. Do not buy the lecture notes, take your own notes. You need all the help you can get internalizing the theory. Short answer is not tough, but multiple choice questions (answer choices a-k) are pretty ridiculous sometimes. Overall, it really doesn't matter what professor you take for any economics class, as it's going to be ridiculous and BS anyway.
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