Professor
Justin Wilford
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Most Helpful Review
He isn't very organized with his lectures and tends to go on tangents about specific topics. It was pretty boring, it's not like the class was hard, just kind of boring. I was excited going into it and left disappointed. I did, however, have a fantastic TA. Even though my TA graded kind of hard (because he knew everything) he really helped us understand the main points of the readings. I didn't really do any of them so this was very helpful. I got an A in the class so even though my mind sometimes wandered in the class, everything turned out all right. Also he's a really nice guy, so that helps too.
He isn't very organized with his lectures and tends to go on tangents about specific topics. It was pretty boring, it's not like the class was hard, just kind of boring. I was excited going into it and left disappointed. I did, however, have a fantastic TA. Even though my TA graded kind of hard (because he knew everything) he really helped us understand the main points of the readings. I didn't really do any of them so this was very helpful. I got an A in the class so even though my mind sometimes wandered in the class, everything turned out all right. Also he's a really nice guy, so that helps too.
Most Helpful Review
Professor Wilford's lectures are very, very dry and boring. However, his powerpoints are very organized and can be found on the course website. Although I didn't have an easy time staying the whole 3 hours for lecture, my bigger problem in the class was discussions. I had Alice as my TA. She was really nice and helpful as a person. Yet, I think there was about 50 pgs to read per week, and the discussions are 2 hours long. The thing is, you MUST be prepared to answer the questions about the readings every week. (The readings are not interesting at all - much about laissez-faire, econ stuff;no social-cultural stuff). There is 1 midterm exam, 1 paper, and 1 final exam. At first glance, the exams might not seem hard, but the TAs expect A LOT OF DETAILS on the exams. I ended up with a B- (and heck yeah, I was thankful because I got a D on my midterm). Don't take this class if you were looking for a SOCIAL/CULTURAL class as the description suggests. If you're interested in reading some economic aspects about the "western culture" and the "non-western culture" then take it. Definitely not an easy GE though.
Professor Wilford's lectures are very, very dry and boring. However, his powerpoints are very organized and can be found on the course website. Although I didn't have an easy time staying the whole 3 hours for lecture, my bigger problem in the class was discussions. I had Alice as my TA. She was really nice and helpful as a person. Yet, I think there was about 50 pgs to read per week, and the discussions are 2 hours long. The thing is, you MUST be prepared to answer the questions about the readings every week. (The readings are not interesting at all - much about laissez-faire, econ stuff;no social-cultural stuff). There is 1 midterm exam, 1 paper, and 1 final exam. At first glance, the exams might not seem hard, but the TAs expect A LOT OF DETAILS on the exams. I ended up with a B- (and heck yeah, I was thankful because I got a D on my midterm). Don't take this class if you were looking for a SOCIAL/CULTURAL class as the description suggests. If you're interested in reading some economic aspects about the "western culture" and the "non-western culture" then take it. Definitely not an easy GE though.
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Most Helpful Review
I had Prof. Wilford for 140, 133, and 156. Obviously, he was good enough to take 3 times, but I can't say the two reviews below me are inaccurate either. Pros: Very approachable and understanding, knowledgeable, posts his very organized slides online, and fair grading (when he grades- not always so much when it's a reader). Cons: He invariably gets behind in the material and you don't get to learn as much as you could have; he is definitely much more of a theory-buff; you MUST be prepared to talk about the most minute details on exams and to defend them with specific readings, sometimes of his choice. His exams are VERY hard and have only gotten harder each class I've taken from him. Although I earned an A in every class I've taken with him, I often had to sacrifice any kind of a social life for that A. My advice: if you take him (as I hope to in Fall 2011), don't walk in thinking it's going to be easy. Although his lectures are well-organized and easy to follow, I recommend recording and listening later. If you take notes on paper, suck it up and just use a computer for this class. Often he'll talk for 20 minutes about something NOT on any slide, and THAT will be on the exam. I believe this is fair, so this didn't surprise me when he did it. If you don't like to read, don't lie to yourself- take another class. If you care about your GPA, you must be prepared to work, but he is fair, the grading is fair, and I've always liked the paper topics (a lot of free reign).
I had Prof. Wilford for 140, 133, and 156. Obviously, he was good enough to take 3 times, but I can't say the two reviews below me are inaccurate either. Pros: Very approachable and understanding, knowledgeable, posts his very organized slides online, and fair grading (when he grades- not always so much when it's a reader). Cons: He invariably gets behind in the material and you don't get to learn as much as you could have; he is definitely much more of a theory-buff; you MUST be prepared to talk about the most minute details on exams and to defend them with specific readings, sometimes of his choice. His exams are VERY hard and have only gotten harder each class I've taken from him. Although I earned an A in every class I've taken with him, I often had to sacrifice any kind of a social life for that A. My advice: if you take him (as I hope to in Fall 2011), don't walk in thinking it's going to be easy. Although his lectures are well-organized and easy to follow, I recommend recording and listening later. If you take notes on paper, suck it up and just use a computer for this class. Often he'll talk for 20 minutes about something NOT on any slide, and THAT will be on the exam. I believe this is fair, so this didn't surprise me when he did it. If you don't like to read, don't lie to yourself- take another class. If you care about your GPA, you must be prepared to work, but he is fair, the grading is fair, and I've always liked the paper topics (a lot of free reign).
Most Helpful Review
What a truly great professor. It isn't often that you are fortunate enough to have a professor who is truly passionate towards the subject he teaches and his students. Go to each and every class, take detailed notes. He doesn't allow electronics in his class, so you'll have to take notes the old fashioned way, but this is so effective when it comes to truly understanding the material. Review your notes, make sure to do the class readings, and apply the material to everyday life. His tests are written, and although the reader is strict, Wilford is very lenient when grading. Really enjoyed this class!
What a truly great professor. It isn't often that you are fortunate enough to have a professor who is truly passionate towards the subject he teaches and his students. Go to each and every class, take detailed notes. He doesn't allow electronics in his class, so you'll have to take notes the old fashioned way, but this is so effective when it comes to truly understanding the material. Review your notes, make sure to do the class readings, and apply the material to everyday life. His tests are written, and although the reader is strict, Wilford is very lenient when grading. Really enjoyed this class!
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