Yvonne Durham - Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Professor: Yvonne Durham

Department: Economics

College: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's really interested in making it clear that she understands the material. It's a little like a student giving a presentation. She gives handwritten handouts, and doesn't have power points, so even though she says attendance is optional it's not. The most condescending teacher I've ever had.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. The material is difficult, so she expects you to study on your own. But, she is super available outside of class and is willing to help you through your questions. That being said, make sure to bring specific questions to her office hours. If you need to take this class, take it with her. You will not regret it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best econ professor I have had at Western! Yvonne's class is definitely not an easy A. Can be a little dry, but if you are genuinely interested in economics, it is so worth it to take her class. If you work hard, you will learn so much from her. I would definitely recommend her over another teacher.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• 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:

Dr. Duham is obviously brilliant and she is a great lecturer, with great diagrams, really clear expectations, and even good handouts and handwriting! Her class is really difficult and most people struggled. I have heard the other Econ professors are easier, but if you work hard (or are naturally good at Econ) you should get by.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Durham's class is definitely challenging, but she is a great teacher who genuinely cares about her students learning. It is extremely important to keep up with the reading and practice on your own. Durham is very willing to work with you if you need extra help. Would definitely recommend her to other students, you will learn a ton if you work hard!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Durham is a good teacher, I think the class just happened to be the hardest class. She grades very hard and makes the tests extremely hard in order to challenge you. Definately read the book, take good notes, and for this class, get tutoring if you are having a hard time. Had to drop it my first time through

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Before I took this class, the comments here almost scared me away. I decided to tough it out. It turned out to be an excellent experience. The material is very difficult. The lectures are clear, and Dr. Durham gives many opportunities for extra help. It is important to do all of the problems in the book and her practice sheet to do well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Smart, but skips steps when explaining things...

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The check-up quizzes are there to be studied for the midterm and final. That was the best advice I got, and if you study those you will never be surprised by anything on the final. There are other theory questions as well, but the quizzes were the main focus of my studying

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is a great profesor and super itellegent and interesting to listen to. MUST go to class, ask questions and go to office hours. Homework is optional but definitely do it. Hard class! But not bad!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough class. Brutal tests. If you like pain, take this class with Prof. Durham. However, if you put in the time, study diligently, ask many questions, do the practice problems, then do them again, you can pass. And then just about every other Econ class will be a cake walk, but you'll still have nightmares about this class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Durham is a great professor! The class is difficult so be ready to put in time and effort. The lectures are long but it helps if you go to class and read the textbook. DO THE STUDY SETS. Make sure you understand all of the problems because she will use similar problems on tests. If you need help go to office hours and she will help you out.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• 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 Durham was a great professor however the class is difficult. It is highly beneficial to the practice problems even though they are not graded. The lectures are long, but her understanding of the material and explanations are great. If you do not get a concept in class, it will be in your best interest to bring it up during office hours.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Durham lectures without powerpoint and talks for the whole class period which makes it difficult to pay attention. One 5 minute break is given just to go back to a long lecture. Durham provides study guides which are helpful until you take the test. The study guides do not match the tests and the test are super difficult.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She explains everything very well, sometimes it gets too repetitive as she's very keen on every student to understand the material which is a good thing. Quizzes and tests aren't too hard as long as you read the book and go to class. She gives you every opportunity to be successful in her class by giving tons of extra credit tasks too.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although the class is hard, her goal is for you to learn the material and gain a complete understanding. Also a 78% is an A in her class. She marks you down for tiny things but that is just so you know it is wrong. Then she gives your grade a boost so it doesn't screw your GPA. She has an economist's sense of humor which I like.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON306
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Durham is a genius, she can be intimidating at times but she knows what she is talking about. The class has tough material but she does a good job explaining it. Tests are very tough so study a lot, but the grading scale is very forgiving.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Did not enjoy her class. Durham was not helpful and made me feel guilty for asking for help at office hours. She lectures by speaking only (no powerpoint) which is incredibly ineffective and can be very condescending.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think that for most people she is a great teacher. But her teaching style was hard for me to follow and she only grades tests and quizzes, no homework. If you don't do well on the tests and quizzes you will struggle. She is really nice and understanding though.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON206
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class over summer quarter, and was hesitant about it. Dr. Durham is an amazing professor! She does sometimes condescend you for asking questions, but always makes sure you understand what is happening. Her office hours are great too, it was very nice to get extra help from her for clarification on the bigger ideas about economics.