Lower-division econ classes are generally hard due to the fact that they are graded on a very rigid curve. This aside, the material is actually very easy, it's just presented to you in a purposefully tricky way on the test. Read, take practice tests, go to CLAS, and attend lectures to pass this class.
Honestly the worst Econ professor I have had at this school. Hes a friendly and chipper guy but has absolutely no idea how to teach. You'll get full credit on the HW basically just for doing it. His tests were ridiculous and I know for a fact everyone got at least 30% on his final, yet myself and many others ended up with a B in the course?
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.
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.
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.
He's adorable. And sooooo knowledgeable. My fave prof in the econ dept. Test are hard but fair.
I thought it would be pretty cool to take a class in econ. development, but he butchered and sucked the life out of any interesting topics. If you value your time don't go to lecture, the only good part about this class is the book... got an A from reading it. He seems like a nice guy but that only goes so far.
Hard class but he helps a lot in office hours. Midterm and final are easy if you understand the material and have a good grasp of calculus, Alegebra II.
Birchenall is a wonderful prof. He changed the book this quarter so that there is barely any math involved. He's helpful to students and his slides are very clear. You don't expect his tests to be that hard, but they are pretty challenging. Overall, I thought the class was very fair and he's been my fav econ prof(cuz we know most of them suck)
He is a good guy but the class is just crazy. No matter how good of a note taker you are or how well you do the problem sets, the midterma and final are ridiculous. I thought for sure I was going to fail but pulled a C+. He just wants everyone to get something out of the class.
If you like 101 then take this class, otherwise do not! He writes his tests to confuse you (he said that!) Also, doesn't show up to office hours on time or at all...
