If iClicker didn't exist I'm convinced nobody would've ever shown up. Birchenall does everything by the book. His tests are sneaky but he really makes you think. Lectures were long and boring and he went too quickly through them, but that was ok since the tests were all book-based anyways. Hw was easy but the platform cost $75. Nice guy, easy class

Too chill for his students good (he's goes very slowly over a chapter and then crams in the next one right before midterm, with those chapters being tested equally). Read the textbook in class (iClicker) and take your own notes, bc his are lectures lack detail. Teaching ability aside, he's likable.

Birchenall is a super sweet guy and you can tell he's passionate about what he does. I wouldn't say his lectures are long at all, just make sure to pay attention and follow along. He follows the textbook pretty closely but does add a few extra things. 2 midterms & 1 final, but he cushions your grade with attendance and homework. Very FAIR class.

Javier is an INCREDIBLE professor. He has incredible confidence when he teaches, and excellent command of the material. He is straightforward with what he expects of students in the class and sticks to it. He teaches topics that are useful to real life, not just that class. I took two classes with Birchenall and I can say he is an exceptional prof

When I asked him what would be covered on the midterm and final his response was everything. Very vague and lectures aren''t useful. His lectures are more of a history lesson on economics in the US. Always goes off topic. You have to learn a lot of it on your own but the material isn''t hard.

the final was ridiculous. but he gives huge curve for this class

exams are pretty easy and straight MC from the book. prof is very OK. lectures are boring most of the time but this class is straightforward. he is a nice guy and you could definitely do worse with another prof.

I NEVER went to this class didn't have to. Problem set due evry week which was very hard but worth 30% and could do in groups. 1st midterm was cake, MC straight from the summaries and slides. The final has the same MC format, but half the test was HARD math like the hw. Nothing you do can prepare you for that part, but the curve is very forgiving.

Each week we have a 6 hour problem set due. I asked if he would post the solutions to problem sets 2&3 (because he posted solutions for the 1st) and he replied and said they won't help prepare for the midterm since it is multiple choice from the textbook. So whats the point of the problem sets? Might as well skip class and just read the book.

Such a hard class. The final was ridiculous. Seriously I thought this was supposed to be easier than Econ 1. I did we'll in Econ 1 but this class was a lot harder and required more effort. Glad it's over.

He is a really sweet guy. His lectures follow the book well. Sometimes lectures an be a bit boring. Definitely do the reading!!! The midterms are tricky but if u study the book u will do good. Sections are optional but I suggest u go cuz it helps for hw. Hw is not too bad. Go to lecture!! has iclicker . Overall easier than Econ 1

u need a PILLOW when u attend the class. please don't day-DREAM to get full grade on each of ur homework.

He is a good guy. Take him WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE. If you take Rupert, you are sure to never survive. Trust me, Birchenall is literally the ray of hope that anyone would need. Don't wait to take him, take him before you lose your chance. He is the best Econ 2 prof you can get. Try to take him as if you life depends on it.

Easy professor. I went to class for iclicker but did not listen to him because he lectures straight from the book. Read the book and do the hw. If you make sure you understand the problems then you'll ace the tests which are relatively easy

Although he's noot the best at explaining topics, he follows the book exactly. If you read the book, you'll do great on the tests. Both the midterm and final are MC and have pretty straight-forward questions. iClickers are based on participation, so easy points there. Would probably take another course from him b/c of easiness.

The professor talks really boring in lectures and he just takes what's in the textbook and put them on his slides. Not very efficient. He also spent too much time reviewing the previous lecture. There is not enough sources for us to practice and he does not provide detailed explanations after midterm and final. But the class was pretty ok.

this professor is really boring. He talks in circles from lectures to lectures (like repeats stuff a lot) and he doesnt give any reviews or practice stuff for midterms or final. He doesnt give explanations for the answers from midterms. The class is long and boring. Some of the stuff from midterm he had never talked about. 100 questions on final!

Birchenall is honestly not that bad. I got a B in the class after not doing well in other econ courses. His lectures are better than people say but he doesn't cover the math. The class isn't easy but if you go to section and do all the problem sets it you should be fine, as most of the math comes out of the problem sets.

The worst econ class at UCSB. Professor is terrible...does not know how to effectively teach. Talks in circles. Lectures are pointless and your grade solely depends on if you and your TA get along. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. You will regret it!

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. He just repeats what's in the book. Very heavily math based. Unless you love doing calculus on the Solow model and Cobb-Douglas Functions take this course. In all honesty, you will not apply any of this sh*t in the real world. Avg on midterm was 55. That say's a lot about teaching quality. F- . Horrible teacher, but nice guy

Nice guy but horrible teacher. He is confusing and unclear. Lectures are so boring and not helpful for preparing for the test.

multiple choice midterm is based entirely on the assigned reading from the textbook, it is very fair. Cumulative final is very difficult...a combination of multiple choice (like the midterm) and a VERY hard second half based on questions like those given on the 6 homework "problem sets"..very mathematical. Curve is very generous tho so don't worry!

The Lectures are boring, redundant and not that useful. Everything is right out of the book!!! Midterm is all MC and is very fair, final is MC and open ended and still a fair assessment. You have 6 HW's that are tougher and can really help your grade. Overall, nice guy. Best/Easiest required class for the UD Econ requirements.

He is a nice guy. Although the course is taught very "by the book" and subsequently conservative. Lectures are boring and redundant. The book is rather narrow for a subject that requires a more comprehensive analysis. Do the reading, do the HW and go to lecture if you want to make studying easier. Done deal.