<p>more specifically, any current upperclassmen know from experience how difficult bruce hamilton's econ class is?
ratemyprofessor doesnt give him very good reviews which worries me...</p>
<p>While I haven’t taken macroecon, I would be weary about using ratemyprofessors as a source, a very selective group of students seem to access that site…they generally post negative reviews. Check out this website for more accurate data: [Teacher</a> Course Evaluations](<a href=“http://www.jhu.edu/merlin/]Teacher”>Teacher Course Evaluations)</p>
<p>I would avoid at all costs.</p>
<p>I have never taken it, but I have heard that it is a huge step up from the introductory classes.</p>
<p>Hamilton’s course is introductory… And while I would generally avoid RMP as a credible source to base my decisions around, I would say that in this case, it’s fairly reliable. I took Hamilton’s course two years ago as a sophomore. The thing about the course is that the material is not difficult-on the contrary it’s quite easy-but Hamilton is looking for very specific answers that he would teach in class, word-for-word. So if you don’t answer his midterm questions exactly the way he wants you to, you’re not going to get credit. And his TA’s rarely give out more than a point or two (out of 6 or more) in partial credit. His exams are also quite long (midterm is usually 3 questions, parts a-e and final is 8 questions, parts a-d or e). The books are also fairly useless (Mankiw’s book is good but not relevant for the course and Hamilton’s book is terrible).</p>
<p>If it sounds like I’m just ranting against the course, full disclosure: I got an A in the course and Hamilton is my adviser.</p>