McKinley Blackburn Jr. - University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Professor: McKinley Blackburn Jr.

Department: Business

College: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON224H
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dry but hilarious humor. He is OBSESSED with bananas and uses them in every example problem. His tests are very concept-heavy and relies on using and applying larger economic principles. Know your graphs! The only four grades are the tests. The textbook is only used for practice problems, but I didn't use it. The Wheelan book is really fun.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON224H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blackburn's tests are fairly in-depth, but straightforward. While not the most engaging lecturer, I never found him difficult to pay attention to. The only grades are the tests, but he curves depending on class performance and he gives practice tests to help you prepare.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON224H
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Blackburn was a very difficult teacher, as the only assignments in the class were the four tests taken. He rarely did anything but lecture, and was very hard to talk to when you had questions outside of class. He attempted to lighten the mood of class often, but the lectures were usually dry, and HAD to be supplemented with the textbooks.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECON224H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This will be a harder econ class than it needs to be. He will spit notes and examples at you for the ENTIRE class period and he expects you to have a great understanding of these for exams. That said, if you do get the notes and the practice exams, you will be able to do well on the real exams.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is insensitive, hard to pay attention to, and his tests are difficult. He trails off at the end of every sentence so you can't even hear half of what he's saying. He gave us an exam when there was a shooting on campus, tests are long and require you to have extensive knowledge on practically everything discussed (and not discussed in class).

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Covers a lot of material quickly. There are a lot of graphs to memorize and use on exams. You will need to study and go to class. Exams are long and there is a lot of writing involved in the exams. No extra credit. He curves every exam. He also asks questions on the exam that he didn't talk about but was in the book.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Engaging, funny, organized, knowledgeable. Great at connecting with students. For a class of mostly non econ majors, he made economics interesting, understandable and applicable. Returns exams promptly with useful feedback. His tests can be a little long. Overall, I really enjoyed and I would recommend to anyone.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECON224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Blackburn is a good teacher. He knows the material well and knows how to teach it. His tests are hard because they require you to know most of the material. Attendance is not required, but if you don't attend class you won't do well on the tests.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECONH224
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The class is tough, but he explains the material well. If you need help, all you have to do is ask. He also shows a passion for teaching that I have not seen from most of the professors here.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON224
• 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:

For someone who's not at all interested in economics, this class is difficult. I didn't find the lectures very helpful, except when learning about the graphs. Most of what you need to know is in the books. Overall, Blackburn is nice enough but not very enlightening on the subject of economics

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON594
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Is the single reason I will never donate to the University of South Carolina. Most in the department don't like him, his teaching is rushed and he disregards questions asked during class. Very small chance you will walk away with an increase in knowledge.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He explains difficult concepts well and provides relevant examples to illustrate course material. His exams are long and rather difficult. He has high expectations but I don't think its possible to fail his class unless you didn't try at all.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON594
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Professor Blackburn is super smart and he is very helpful outside the class as well as in the class. He is especially very patient about the questions asked during class. He sometimes throws in a joke while he is teaching but he keeps his composure and continues teaching. I think that is really funny. He is not a generous grader but he curves.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON594
• 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:

Dr. Blackburn is extremely smart, if not too smart for an introductory class. Much of the focus seems to be on proving formulas and saving them for tests. My long-term knowledge from this class is probably limited. With that said, he's happy to help you learn.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON594
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is Intro to Econometrics. Dr. Blackburn is extremely smart. He is a Harvard PhD. He is also very knowledgeable and interested in Econometrics and Labor Economics. He is an extremely fast talker, so be prepared to take notes like crazy. You will not survive this class without reading the book. Period!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON224
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Ok. The guy can be kinda boring, but he knows his stuff. And I mean, he knows his stuff. I'm amused with the folks who give him blue faces since they're probably slack dumbasses. Office hours are great, he's more than willing to work with you. Only someone truly stupid could fail this class. And I mean . . . stupid.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He graduated from Harvard so he knows his stuff, and he's almost too smart to relay it to students. He's really nice, though. Attendance isn't mandatory, but I had to go everyday - I think it might have helped me out in the end. Drop if you can, but if not make sure he knows you're trying...that's definitely how I passed.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• 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:

RUN!!!!!! Don't even try to take him. Yes, he knows the material but is very hard. Is not willing to help out, believe me i tried to suck up to him and it didn't work!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• 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:

Horrible teacher. Knows information, does not know how to teach. Draws graphs and rambles, but does not explain well. I would not recommend this teacher to anyone!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON221
• 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: N/A

Comment:

He is an EXCELLENT econ teacher. He knows what he is talking about and he explains things VERY CLEARLY. You have to be VERY SILLY not to understand; or you have to not care about it at all and not want to learn....He likes graphs but they help alot. He teaches really well, all you have to do is pay attention in class and actually go.