Ali Akarca - University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

Professor: Ali Akarca

Department: Economics

College: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON121
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I liked this guy. I showed up to every lecture and I got below the average on both quizzes. His quizzes were short answer and kind of difficult. I felt like the TAs were the problem with this course when I took it. This professor was very approachable. I earned less than half or around half the points in the course and I still passed, nice curve.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON121
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I can't even begin to explain how frustrating his class is. Obviously there is something wrong if the class average is like 40%. Just avoid him if you have to take econ121. Honestly up there as the worst class I've taken at UIC. Nice guy as a person just horrible at teaching.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON339
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This guy knows what he is talking about and he explains everything very clearly. He makes sure his students understand the material, instead of memorizing it. He does have an accent just like most people in this country. I haven't had any problems understanding him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECON120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Economy seems to be all common sense, but it is not as easy as one might think. Overall, the professor did his best to explain the material - gave useful examples and was always concerned about the class understanding the subject. I did not have a problem with his accent. He has a great sense of humor! Good professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spare yourselves, this guy is a joke. He tries but his accent is ridiculous once he gets on a tangent. He does nothing to really engage you either. He knows his stuff but good luck learning anything. Ive been struggling all semester and Im failing. Save your money.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH218
• 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:

Take this class with him, if only for the jokes. This guy has a career in comedy, if the whole economics thing doesn't work out.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He does have an accent but it is still easy to understand him. He's really nice and has good examples to help you understand the concepts. If you go to class and do the homework, it's very easy to get a good grade.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECON218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's really not that bad. Don't go to class, just study the book and the study guide book. Sample exams are NOTHING like actual exams. Hard to pay attention for 2 hours so you'll end up not going but make sure you study the book.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECON218
• 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:

Very difficult course. Only two exams, and required hmwk problems worth very low points. Attendance not mandatory but he counts it towards your grade at the end of the semester. Moderately hard material, but study guides were no where near the actual exams given in class. Okay guy, but tough teacher.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I never went to class because it was 6pm-8:30pm so it's hard to rate him fairly. But he was almost impossible to understand. His Belgian accent is ridiculous. You need the book for homework. There was a midterm and a final. He's a nice guy, but I would say try looking around before settling with him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON218
• 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:

His accent isn't really that bad, and he's actually pretty funny. He makes an effort to make himself available, but sometimes gets a tad frustrated when students ask question about simpler concepts. You definitely have to go to class and pay attention, but there's an ENORMOUS curve so if you get lower than a B you probably didn't do any work

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice guy, but it is very hard to pay attention in his class especially with his accent. His way of grabbing students' attention is poor and the TA does not help. You have to go to class and read the book. His sample exams are not too bad compared to the test. If you really like econ take it with him, otherwise switch!!! (ECON 218)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Take notes on the book and read the book. Only way your getting an A

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The man knows his stuff but he doesn't use Blackboard, power points, or any form of tech for the class. He relays a lot of information in a short amount of time by drawing graphs. He doesn't give you a bottom line for topics and often didn't make clearly conclusive statements. Advice: read the book, pay attention, and write down EVERYTHING he says.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Please save yourself the trouble and enroll with another professor. It is not for lack of interest; I love economics. I've gotten A's in all of my other econ courses. But this guy gave me the first and only C I've ever received at UIC.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fairly decent class. His accent isnt as bad as people think it is, hes extremely generous on his curves, and its VERY possible to get an A. Stay on top of your homework, and make sure you always get it in on time, show up to lecture with some redbull and kick back and soak in information and ull be good

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't know what everyone is talking about but his accent is not that thick at all. His english is very good actually. He is an awesome teacher, very nice, and really funny! If you want an A it is totally possible.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON130
• 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:

Materials are not easy but he grades with a huge curve. Go to his office and he will help you alot better than in lecture. The text book is a must,exams are mostly based on the book.2 quizes, 2 exams (1 midtern, 1 final), and 4-5 special HW's.If your TA is a good one, the TA will help you with your HW's so be friendly to your TA.lol

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON101
• 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:

Class is very dry and boring. I went to class and I could not understand anything because of his accent. I felt like all he did was draw the same supply and demand graph over and over again the whole semester. The tests were extremely hard even though they were multiple choice. I suggest not taking this class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Teaches straight out of the book, easy class. Bad accent but if you sit up front he's entirely understandable. Friendly to approach but the class material is dry.