Clifford Kern - Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY

Professor: Clifford Kern

Department: Economics

College: Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Kern is a great guy who always has a smile on his face. However, he only gives 2 tests which basically define your grade in the class. Pop quizzes are easy if you do the readings. If you need an ECON elective, I would recommend him over other professors.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof. Kern is a nice guy overall. I never had to visit his office hours or anything, if you attend lecture, stay focused(monotone voice), and study the previous exams from BB, you'll be fine. Go to your discussion section to hand in homework (very helpful) and participate, this will help your grade. Don't really need the book.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

You need to learn by yourself. If you have a question, he can answer it clearly. The exam is a little confusing.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He writes questions in such a fashion that literally wording could have you fail a test as opposed to your actual knowledge of the subject. I've never met anyone so disinterested in how much his students are learning, he goes so incredibly slow in lectures that it's incredibly hard to pay attention to his monotone presentation of simple concepts.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Struggled in this class. He is very nice but unclear. Most students are in agreement with this. I wish he was my grandpa and I feel bad people make fun of him but I really like him as a person. Due to his unclarity you will struggle on tests. I like his format for grading but I wish he was just clearer. It's just his personality. It could be worse

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

iClickers make you go to class and homework due every week in discussion. Lectures are boring and very monotone which make it very hard to pay attention and learn anything. I did awful on the first 2 tests...I guess we'll see how I'll do on the final. Overall he's an awful professor who should retire already. Kinda cute old grandpa though.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 160
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Profoundly boring and generally disinterested in teaching a way that doesn't make all of his subject matter convoluted. It seems as though he understands the material but internally hates the fact that he has to share it. I would've rated lower on clarity if I could; I wen't in with a mild understanding of concepts but he made me doubt that.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is completely inflexible when it comes to grading. If you have a legitimate conflict with his test, too bad. If you have a legitimate reason for missing class, too bad. I had to show him an obituary of my recently deceased friend just so I was excused for attendance. Still, he only said maybe. I get As on tests, but expect a C due to his rules.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

homework due every week and quizzes in discussion must go to lecture for clicker questions- 15% of grade fairly difficult class, don't fall behind because it gets hard not the best lecturer so prepare to learn the majority of the information in discussion uses unordinary chartsdiagrams

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Pretty much, I had to learn microeconomics on my own. Did terrible on the first two tests but the final pulled me through considering it could be counted 80% of your grade. Go to class because there are clicker questions, and try to pay attention despite how monotone he is

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Lecture is mandatory with iClicker. Monotone, attempt to express sense of humor and knowledge but his voices zZzzZzz. Tests are managable but hard, to some extent, in the way that his sentence structures are confusing and misleading at time. Read textbooks before every lecture so that you won't fall asleep halfway.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very hard class. Don't recommend to anyone. Tough professor. He is very very smart, but does not do a good job relaying his knowledge to students.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Best professor I've ever had in all of my years of college. A very fun, laid-back, chill, funny guy. The guy truly cares about his students and makes it a point to get to know each and every one of them and will be there for you after you graduate. Other professors should pay attention to this class and see how students really learn.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you have an interest in Economics or haven't taken an Economics class yet, DO NOT take it with Kern. He is dreadfully boring and purposefully makes multiple choice questions tricky and convoluted. He is a nice man, but easily in the running for one of the worst teachers I have ever experienced. Save yourself from this nightmare if you can.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He has a terrible stutter. use the study for AP micro, you won't learn anything in class. The discussion sections are useful, and tests are similar to the homework.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

great guy really knows his stuff and presents it well

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

awesome

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I have to admit that he is really boring, but the class is easy and you just need to read the manual. I think he is helpful and very patient.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Kern is and old geezer. His lectures are boring but semi mandatory since iclicker quizzes are given. Lecture can be relaxing, but only because your doing other stuff on your iphone or laptop. Focus on the homeworks.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Avoid taking Micro with Kern. He is hard to pay attention to, unwilling to help his students, the TAs can't help, yo have to teach yourself the material. After doing badly on the 1st two tests he told me I had no chance in succeeding the class. I studied and learned the material myself and got a B+.