Robert Gateman - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Professor: Robert Gateman

Department: Economics

College: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As someone who managed to get an A in his course, I must say that I learned NO economics. It would have been a fantastic elective but as an Econ major, I expect more substance in an econ course. He is hilarious, definitely boosts general knowledge on the Canadian economy, political affairs etc. Averages are low but the scales a lot!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are interesting, but 210 was mostly him ranting about Trudeau's liberal economic policy. The group project worth 40% had very little guidelines, and grading was all over the place. The midterm average was 28% and was scaled 45 to meet the department average. He also picks on specific students and will make rude comments to you jokingly

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECNO102
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Rating # 1000! WOO

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECO101
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's tests are so hard...

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I dont care if this guy is a legend do yourself a favour and stay away. Take it from an Econ student, dont take him. I dont care if people told you he was funny. His class seems like it was designed for you to fail. We learned almost nothing all year and had that awful ABLE project he barely gave any info on. Ridiculously hard tests.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECO101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof G is a great professor in my opinion. The only thing is that sometimes I feel he's too overrrated. Sure, sometimes he likes to share his own 'opinions' on things, but that makes the class fun and interesting. His exams are pretty weird at times, especially the friday 7pm thing. In general though, he's worth taking at least once.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECO101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think Professor Gateman unfairly gets a lot of heat, most people who complain about him are the ones who skip class and then fail the exam. He doesn't always follow the textbook but his lectures are good. I find his use of sometimes off-colour or edgy humour funny, some people need to grow thicker skin. I'm terrible at econ but pulled off a B.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECO101
• 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:

hones in on few students unfairly. makes offensive jokes in class that are disrespect the students. would watch me write my exams beside me for no reason except that he thought I was pretty.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECN101102
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Class may be fun at times but he's a really tough grader and scoring in his tests are really hard. Take as many notes and study everyday if you want to pass. Lots of homework and quizzes. Have fun

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is just funny. Don't take his class if you think about your GPA and want to learn something.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Classes are mandatory and you won't be allowed in if you show up late. The midterms and final are split into very few categories. Forgetting one concept might mean you lose 30% of your mark. 4/30 concepts will be tested but you better remember all 30 perfectly if you want to pass. Gman doesn't hold office hours and is not accessible after class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON101102
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The hardest part of the course is his test. Very theoretical and if your hand doesn't cramp up a couple times from writing you probably didn't finish. Huge curve and great lectures though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON102
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are pretty boring I'd say. He starts 7 minutes late every class, and only about 1/4 lectures are actually helpful to learning the class concepts. However, his midterms are reasonable both in what they cover and in their length. I'd take the class again, just because he mainly focuses his tests on concepts and not calculations

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Going to a Gateman lecture doesn't even feel like you're taking a class in University. It's more like a Tedx talk. Most of the lecture isn't related to economics, it's great when it is and you'll learn an unique perspective, but he spends half the class talking about how great econ is and the other half is insulting people.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gateman is an absolute must. Gateman focuses on you knowing the theory of economics as opposed to doing pointless calculations. But you do really have to know the theory because his midterm questions are usually curve balls. Tests are rough, but scaling means the grades are like any other course. VERY LITTLE WORK if you get the concepts.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you want a non-traditional economics class, this is the one for you. Beware to not rely on the curve and you'll be fine.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON102
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gateman has inspired my interest in economics. I have taken his class for both ECON 101 and 102, and I have not been disappointed. His lectures supplement the textbook and allow students to view economics in a real-world perspective. With that said, his notes are difficult to understand without going to lectures and reading the textbook.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECO101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His midterms for both econ 101 and 102 had an average of thirty-five percent, and then he scaled it. He told us that he made it hard on purpose and that even his TA's wouldn't be able to finish the whole thing. textbook and class notes are usually unclear on concepts and he doesn't explain things properly either.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON102
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

There's a reason that Gateman is a legend and not a hero - you'll remember him for his impact, and not necessarily in a good way. While not impossible, this class is certainly harder than it has to be. While Gateman's interesting to listen to, he is a poor lecturer. His tangents complicate things, muddling simple concepts; just read the textbook.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a very good professor and his lecture is interesting if you want to learn something. His test can fluctuate greatly, some tests are harder and some are easier. To prepare for his tests, the best way is to study his Gbook and textbook and do the questions on the back of the textbook. It's not hard to get a good grade if you study enough.