Deborah Swenson - University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Professor: Deborah Swenson

Department: Economics

College: University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECN162
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

For an econ *elective* this class was more detailed/complex than necessary. The subject could have been potentially very interesting if related to current events more, but most lectures were abstract econ theory. The tests were pretty close to practice exams though. Go to discussion section! That's where you'll get the most practice before tests.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECN162
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This was one of my last Econ classes and my least fav. The actual exams are NOTHING like the practice exams or hw, so study lecture notes. There is no point in reading the book. She literally takes 1-3 sections out of 22 chapters! You must go to class because that is what she tests you on. The class was too hard for an "econ elective"

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECN162
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I was only taking economics as a GE but she made the experience enjoyable and was quite informative for an entry level class. Decided to take another economics course because of the experience. She graded fairly easily but possibly because this was a GE and not a major course.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECN162H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I am taking the honors International Economic Relations course. I was told I did not need to have background in general economics but it would definitely help you in this class. This class lacks a straightforward structure. She grades relatively easy if you show you know something about the topic. The book is not really necessary, but study.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECN162
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice prof, really helpful during office hours. Took this as my honors class (I'm in the honors program), and since I had only taken basic economics in H.S. prior to it, I had to really work for this class. She was a pretty easy grader though so many people that probably should have got B's got A's. But that might just be b/c it was an honors class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Really tough professors. HWs are easy since you just have to try to get points. But midterms and finals will destroy you! They are very tough. Practice exams are very different from actual exams so its hard to prepare for them.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• 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:

She is a very good professor. I like her teaching style. That class was difficult as other econ class, but She explains every detail very clearly helped me a lot. Her tests and homework are very fair!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECN162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Attendance mandatory only because you had to turn in HW once per week; which did not have to be accurate just complete to get full credit. Lectures very concise, she is very well spoken. But bring a coffee, there is no sense of humor to keep you awake. Oh and she holds the economist record of using the word arbitrage 1234 times in one lecture.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECN162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Meh, she's ok.Lectures felt like a robot was speaking.She used a new book for our quarter so she didn't come across as confident in being able to teach the material 100%.TA sections were the most helpful in actually executing the material.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

we had three midterms worth 29%, hw 3% and final 10%.the class overall was pretty hard,especially the multiple choice on tests,but its curved so you have a chance to get an a. the book was followed in lecture but it was hard to know what to study for on tests.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really like her. Super straight forward, clear and methodical. A bit dry. Lectures very closely follow the textbook which is written by a UCD professor. One of the best Econ classes I had as an undergrad. Excellent lectures. Subject matter is fairly difficult. Got a B. Recommended.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECNA03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the most organized teachers i have ever had. lectures were definitally worth going to, almost did not have to read the book. Test questions were fairly made although I thought the grading by TAs was a little unfair.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECN190
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Greatest econ prof! She does teach something "useful", and the grading is not harsh. HW is easy. Just go to her lec and study the notes, you will do fine.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

do NOT judge the economics major based on this professor. one of the most boring and monotonous teachers i've ever had. hw and exams are fair. lectures are not that helpful. she only draws graphs on the board and neglects to write any useful notes.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• 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:

a good professor. talks fast, but with clarity. homeworks are easy, exams are not that bad as well. I did not do much, just went to class and studied the lecture, never touched the text, got an A.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 160A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The worst economics teacher I've had at Davis. Talks too fast, writes little commentary, tests are very difficult, and overall makes the class really hard. I got an A- in the class and I worked my butt off for it. Overall, it was my hardest econ class at davis so far and I'm a 3.9gpa student. If you can, take a better class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

write quickly because she erases a lot!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I didn't like her teaching style, talks too fast and writes very little commentary on the board. The book is essential to help understand the material. The study guide that comes with the book is useless. Her tests are very fair overall, based on notes. Nature of the class itself is pretty tough.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

clear

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECN160A
• 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:

The best econ professor I have had in four years. Her lectures are very clear and well organized. Attending class is the key to a good grade in this class. She makes dense econ material easy to understand. She is very approachable and is super helpful in office hours.