<p>I am thinking about taking Econ 51D taught by Leachman.
I read reviews on RateMyProfessor and Course Evaluation,
but still had lingering questions.</p>
<p>1) How is the course load (maybe compared to math/science
courses)</p>
<p>2) How is she as a professor</p>
<p>3) Is she just OR unjust in her grading system</p>
<p>Thank you so much</p>
<p>Econ 51 is designed to be a tough course. Whether you take it with Fullenkamp or Leachman doesn't really make a difference in terms of the grade you get. I would only take this class if it's a pre-req or if you REALLY like Econ. Otherwise, there are other SS courses out there that won't destroy your GPA.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply.</p>
<p>I was planning to take Econ 51D b/c I thought that if it's going to ruin
my GPA, better that I take it in the freshman year than in sophomore year
when most courses (I assume) will be more difficult. But due to scheduling problems, I am almost sure that I'm not taking it. But I have 2 concerns:</p>
<p>1) I am currently waitlisted for a Sociology class (I am looking for SS class) that I have no chance of getting off the waitlist. Most SS class that are of interest to me are either full with long waitlist, or don't fit my schedule. Then there are several courses in random departments that fit my schedule that I just have no idea whether I'll like them or not. I don't know what to do, b/c right now I don't have the fourth course chosen.</p>
<p>2) I never had an exposure to Econ. My math professor told me that econ shouldn't be too hard since I'm math-oriented. However, from what I hear it seems that Econ is just lot of work with unfair tests. I have a heavy science/math courseload already and was worried that I would do bad in Econ. Besides, if I take econ I would have all my classes (4.5) on MWF.
At the same time, I was thinking that maybe it's my last chance to try Econ.
And that maybe Econ will be more stimulating than some random elective with lot of reading that may turn out to be difficult than I expect. </p>
<p>Could you please help me -</p>
<p>I don't see how any econ teacher could be worse than Fullenkamp...oh the stories I have heard</p>
<p>I had Leachman my first semester freshman year. I didn't put as much time studying for the course as I should have, and was not expecting an A. However, it was by far one of the most terrifying academic experiences I've had. I would recommend not taking it with her. Wait for someone else. Before anyone angrily tells a story about why Leachman rocks (not that I've heard many, but I'm sure they're out there) or says I deserved it for not studying as hard, I have to say, that was my experience. I have loved every class I have ever taken at Duke (even Spanish 76-- poorly organized but what a great professor)--except that one.</p>
<p>The one thing I will give her-- she definitely toughened me up. Welcome to college, kids.</p>
<p>man, you gotta love lori's rattail.</p>
<p>if you're math oriented and interested in econ, then go for it. i took it with her a zillion years ago to appease my father and wound up with economics as a second major -- so i survived. i think all my friends took it with her, so i haven't really heard much else about other 51 profs. but she wasn't awful. i mean, the class isn't thrilling by any means, but she's not satan, and if you are math oriented, then it shouldn't be particularly back breaking. i don't remember her tests being that unfair (then again, im going into my last semester of duke and i had her during my first) and there is a curve...</p>
<p>I'm taking Econ with Leachman this semester too, I've heard that Fullenkamp and Leachman are both difficult teachers. I'm kind of thinking about majoring in Econ now (or minoring, I feel confident that Math 103 can't be as terrible as Orgo, but it has to be a little more than a little less terrible to make Math a major, :p),so it's probably best to just take this class this semester.</p>
<p>the curve has gotten progressively less and less forgiving over the semesters. I talked to some seniors last year who said the curve was normal when they had taken it, sophomores said it was pretty ****ty, and our year, well, no tests were curved at all and our final grade... well, the curve bumped you up around 1%.</p>
<p>Why would you EVER take a class with Lori Leachman?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!</p>
<p>According to the grading syllabus (correct me if I'm wrong) there is a 'seven-point curve' for this semester's section. Problem sets make up 7% of the grade (and will be only graded for completion not correctness) and tests make up the rest of the grade.</p>
<p>Would this mean (assuming you did all the problem sets)
TEST AVERAGE
86-100:A
83-85: A-
80-82: B+
and so on....
till
53 and less: failing</p>
<p>I guess this means her test are definitely easier than Fullenkamp's, unless we are looking at a D-F average and that would be scary!</p>
<p>For those who had Leachman before, what was the average final grade in her Econ class?</p>