Kirk Elwood - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Kirk Elwood

Department: Economics

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECONFIN372
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was by far the best professor I have ever had at JMU. If I could retake this class I would. He makes the class enjoyable and I learned more in this class than any other class I have ever taken.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Elwood is type of guy you'll remember 20 years after college. Bit of a tough class, work hard and you'll be okay.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Elwood was a funny professor, highly recommend taking him for 201. Although you need to be ready to eat sleep and breathe micro!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Elwood is a pretty cool guy overall. Probably one of your best bets for 201. Tests and quizzes are all free response so you will actually learn Econ. Everything is curved based on the class scores so it's almost impossible to fail, but also very difficult to get an A.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECO201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I honestly almost dropped this class but I'm really glad that I didn't. It was difficult but econ is a hard subject. For me it got easier as the semester went on and I knew what to expect from him. He curves a lot so as long as you do better than the class average you will be fine. Do the practice problems!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely a difficult class for a beginning Econ class. His lectures are fast paced, and homework is based off the textbook. He gives 3 regular exams with "pre-warm up quizzes" given the class before the exam. His final is cumulative. Make sure to do the problems he gives you separate from the book for practice (including the extra questions).

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON372
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Unless you're the most rugged econ freak I'd avoid. His class was an elective for me. Quizzes/tests are all short answer and ask incredibly specific questions. There's no way to know what questions will be on the tests/quizzes, so the only method of studying is to memorize everything. The grades on everything are 50%, and he's OK with that.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECO201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Elwood is an oddball guy, but for micro, he's probably your best bet. Three tests accompanied by 3 Pre-Test Warm-up Quizzes, and a final. Collects homework at random for a grade. He knows what he's talking about, but lectures can be boring. Not an easy A, but doable if you REALLY pay attention. DO THE EXTRA QUESTIONS, exact same as tests.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I like the class and lectures, however the tests are very difficult. There are 3 quizes, 3 exams, and 1 final. The tests are not multiple choice, and require you to pay very close attention in class and complete the assigned homework. Overall though I though the class was challenging, and I fell like I really learned ECON.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Elwood is a decent guy. He cracks a few jokes and likes to try and relate to his students, which is always nice. His class on the other hand is pretty tough. Very heavy textbook use, and there will be problems assigned out of the book every night. His tests and pre-test quizzes are hard, so make sure you actually read the book and pay attention.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Elwood is one of the best professors i've had so far. He is very entertaining and the class goes by fast. The tests arent easy but they are all curved based on how your class does. DO NOT blow off the pre test warmup quizzes that he gives before the test because they can really help/hurt your test grade. I Strongly recommend him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECO201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

do NOT take elwood. there is a ton of homework and reading and they dont even help. the exams cover way too much material and he is an extremely tough grader. his lectures are very vague and you have to teach yourself the whole class. unless you are really good at econ already, dont take him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He has a fun sense of humor. It is a very hard course even when you pay attention in class and do textbook work outside of glass. Quizzes and tests are very hard

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Elwood cracks a couple jokes, and the lectures aren't that tough to get through. 3 tests, homework problems every night, but not too too difficult for micro.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He makes you do homework from the textbook, but he always puts the answers online. Has three test, three quizzes that take place before each test, and a final. DO THE EXTRA PROBLEMS HE PUTS ON CANVAS BEFORE THE QUIZZES AND TESTS. This will improve your grade so much (trust me). Overall a pretty entertaining guy. Would recommend taking him for ECON.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I thought he was pretty clear in his lectures, but many other students struggled with this class. You have to read the textbook and it helps to do the extra problems if you have never taken econ before. Most of the material on the tests was talked about in class, but reading the textbook is very helpful.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Elwood is a great professor, most of the people in the class don't take the time to utilize the study guides and the review sessions outside of class. In this class you get out what you put into it. He doesn't make it easy but gives students all the opportunities they need to get an A.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON372
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Elwood is an amazing professor, although his class is tough. 372 is probably one of the most valuable at JMU. Understanding markets wjile incorporating current events make up the majority of course content. Tests and quizzes are pretty tough, though he does curve. Definitely one of the hardest courses I've taken at JMU, but it's extremely valuable.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECO201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He knows what he's talking about and I barely leave class without understanding what was just taught. but make sure you go to class and take notes on everything. he gives you elaborate and long study guides for exams but everything is from the notes and nothing on exams are from the textbook. so take notes, do the study guides over and over

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a good teacher if you care, had him for Junemester and I personally love him but he's not easy. Read, do the extra problems and go to class and you'll be fine. He gives you all the opportunities to learn, but you need to put in the effort to survive.