Reviews of professor Michael Makowsky

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Class is completely weighted on your ability to take 3 tests mostly weighted on small essays with a few short-answer at the beginning. The information comes exclusively from class lectures (and readings sometimes), so attendance is necessary. His lectures are interesting and he teaches well, but there are no other assignments to help your grade.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Makowsky is super funny and I'm surprised how bad his ratings are honestly. His lectures are very intersting, he's always happy to answer questions. He has a comical, pessimistic view on the world. But I mean, he's teaching political economics course. I would definitely recommend him. Tests are your only grades but he's very upfront about that.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Does not respond to emails whatsoever, as well as not present during his office hours. Entire grade is based off of tests. No updated syllabus was given. Lectures are incoherent and causes further confusion in students.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Go to class and takes notes, his class is straightforward if you do that. His tests come directly from his notes and assigned papers. Makowsky is super nonchalant and that makes his pessimistic view on the world intriguing. Your final grade is based on 3 exams, but none of them are too difficult if you go to class and study.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
He is very caring and wants everyone to learn something and do well. If you go to class and take notes / ask questions and read the material he recommends you will do fine. He gives back lots of points on exams if you ask him about them and is very lenient on answers. Very good class, would recommend if you need an upper level econ.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Professor Makowsky was a lot of fun. The entire class is 3 homework's and 3 tests. This class could be difficult, but he grades all of his tests on an upward curve which is super nice. He is genuinely one of the smartest professors I have ever had. Just read each chapter twice before the exam and study over the HW sheet and you'll be fine.

Rating: 2.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
I struggled in this class even when I read the book, went to every class, and went to office hours. If you like hearing someone speak for 75 minutes with no powerpoint or visual aids you'll like this class. The only grades are your tests with 2 homework assignments that are due at the end of the semester. Little to no feedback. Tests are SO HARD.