Kurt Schaefer - Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

Professor: Kurt Schaefer

Department: Economics

College: Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, a good caring guy but horrid prof. He would blabber on for an entire class and not teach anything useful for the test. The Calvin College Econ department is a joke and looks like the housing market crash of 2008 needs to occur to open the institution of Calvin's eyes to the problem. Waste of a semester.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: IDIS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Professor Schaefer for DCM freshman year. He was very intentional about making sure we were actually learning throughout the class and understood the material. He is a very caring and kind man and I would love to take him again if I would ever get the chance.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON343
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class was more like a discussion than a lecture. He often started class by asking what we wanted to talk about and someone would throw out a topic and we'd go from there. So there were a lot of tangents, but it was a unique and enjoyable way to learn about econometrics.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: IDIS150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kurt is amazing. He was passionate about the subject at hand, loved having discussions with students, and was open to go in whatever direction the discussion was headed. He was very willing to consult with students and make changes to the class and workload based on the class consensus. He truly cared about his students and wanted all to have fun.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lecture heavy, but exams are easy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I found him too easy. For his tests, he provided a study guide and announced that "every question on the test is on the study guide". He also allowed us to bring a 8.5x11 cheat sheet to each test. Consequently, I simply wrote each study guide question that I didn't know on the cheat sheet and thus rocked every test.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very fun teacher, but a lot of online homework.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class that I took for core made me want to major in economics. He is a very intelligent man and I love his quirky sense of humor. He laughs at himself a lot. I've talked to him a couple times outside of class and he goes above and beyond to help.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't teach the material you are learning online; he rambles too much and his teaching style isn't clear so being more confused after class happens a lot. No attendance policy so attending class is completely pointless. I didn't learn any economic concepts. You teach yourself. He is a really nice guy but not a great professor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON395
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Schaefer is the best professor I have ever had. He will make you learn but you will be grateful for it. Take his class!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a great person, but an awful professor (at least for the intro level, perhaps he's better for higher level econ). Probably the most pointless class I've ever taken.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He does not care much for core obligatory classes so he made this class as easy and fun as possible; lots of discussion etc... Very friendly and helpful

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The best professor I have had at Calvin. Prof explains things clearly, cares deeply about students, and is extremely knowledgeable. He slows down and speeds up content to adjust to students. He integrates Christianity in an amazing way. You will learn a lot. I highly recommend Schaefer.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: DCM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is without a doubt my favorite professor ever...I am taking electives in Econ just to have him again! He is an amazing, godly, caring, wise man!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best Prof I ever had. A little quirky and likes to laugh at his own jokes, but still a great guy. He is very intelligent and not just about economics. He's quite knowledgeable about theological matters too. You rock Schaefer!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This guy is great! He genuinly cares and wants to help. He will go out of the way to explain anything. He also has a great sense of humor.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best Professor I ever had!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's Mr. Rogers! Who doesn't love that?

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECO151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very intelligent man with a great sense of humor. He knows a lot about more than just Econ. I didnt like Econ until I took this class. Very willing to help everyone in the class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't let his quizes fool you. His tests are very hard. Weird and funny guy though. Great prof.