2.3
Quality4.4
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake112
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
112
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
8
4
15
3
24
2
40
1
25
What Students Say
“This class is not one of his more interesting ones, simply due to the subject matter”
ECON307 - 4.0 rating“One midterm, a paper, presentation and a final”
ECON460 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.20 avg changeRatings by Course
ECON307
4.0
(1)ECON300
3.5
(2)ECON460
3.3
(4)MICROECON
3.3
(4)300
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
300
5.0
COB241
5.0
COB201
5.0
GECON200
5.0
ECON1
5.0
Reviews (112)
very, very hard!!
Yeah, Andy is just not one of those professors who knows how to actually TEACH
No Comments
BOOOOO...he doent teach well at all
No Comments
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Not a good teacher, goes off on tangents...had to withdraw, it was that bad
kinda hard for what should be an easy class
Does not teach what he tests on.
No Comments
very nice in office hrs. very very smart, and doesn't bore us with book. READ!!!
Not an easy class, moves thru material quickly, but very approachable & helpful
Goes on too many tangents and grades hard. Don't take him.
Tests very hard and he grades even harder, nice guy
This guy makes a whole lotta sense about nothing at all
Soo hard , a terrible teacher too.
not even as a last resort, wait another semester. Do not take his class.
No Comments
ABSOLUTELY THE WORST TEACHER...STAY AWAY FROM HIM!!!
Condescending toward discussion answers, grades pprs like we are economists
Not a bad teacher, but HARD class
States obvious and makes very roundabout points.
Horrible. First day he hands out a worksheet filled with feminist lingo for everyday words that you must use on papers and in class. Not to mention he is a HARD grader, but he is a nice guy, excpecially if you go to see him during office hours.
AVOID! VERY condescending and grades EVERYTHING too hard!! I hate that class, I'm doing better in Calculus!
He is the worst. I heard he was hard but thought i could study a lot and get through it. wrong... avoid this class!
Read the book and skip classes. Does not teach in class. Very hard to understand what he wants us to learn. Doesnt test from notes. Easier if you take macro first, he is bad first intro to econ. Condescending in person. No attendence policy. Hard grader!
Very hard. Wordy lectures. Notes are awesome, but rarely are good preparation for tests. Read read read. Good luck.
Extremely hard grader. Hard tests- it's my worst class so far. Annoying to sit and listen to; tests on reading material, not on notes. It's a hard subject in general but with him teaching, it's nearly impossible!
This man is horrible...good luck. His tests are impossible. I got a B+ in macro and I will get an F in this class.
Extremely hard grader and puts a lot of focus on class discussions. If you can get the course with someone else, do it...he is a very knowledgable person though.
Is hard as everyone says, but if you read the book and use the study guide you'll do fine. I have a B and feel like I have learned a lot.
What a stupid ****, the only grades you have are tests and he makes them so ****ing hard that you have no chance.
This class is extreemly difficult. In class he always seems to shoot down the people who are not business mjrs. and have not taken upper level classes that relate to a topic. Difficult subject matter + inabilility to teach = bad
This is by far my worst class this semester & I'm also in CS 450, CS 240, MATH 248, & COB 291. It is not the subject matter but the professor that makes this class suck. Picture a condescending professor who curves the exam to a D+ and you've got Kohen.
he is condescending, his lectures do little to complement the reading but if you actually read the book and use the study guide and STUDY THE TESTS you should be fine. outside of class he's completely different and VERY helpful
Extremely condescending toward the students. When someone says something incorrect, instead of correcting them, he spends 10 minutes telling them they were wrong and doesn't even correct the mistake. If this man is here teaching Econ, who's running Hell
extremely hard and not a fun class. the curves don't help bc he's too hard and expects too much. after getting an A in Econ last year, i got an F even with the curve and did all reading and attended all lectures and always studied. take another teacher.
Let me tell you something. AVOID HIM!! I've got the worst grade out of all the classes, and I've been trying really hard to pass this class. Tests are impossible. No one can pass his class.
A lot of people don't like him because he's cocky and arrogant. A VERY picky grader, test questions and seem like trick questions. I did OK in the class but put a lot of work in to do it. However he is very knowledgeable and willing to help you.
WORST TEACHER EVER!!! His tests don't reflect the assigned readings or the lectures, so i don't konw where the hell he gets the test questions. Avoid this guy at all costs. Kohen!!, Maybe you should take these comments into consideration
hmmmm NO!
lectures are very useful. Helpful outside of class. Tests are difficult in the begining but once you understand the concepts very esay. Truly what notes you take make the differnece in your grade. Questions on test are right out of study guide.
If you have him get out now!
If you are serious about learning ECON this is the teacher for you. Granted he is exceptionally hard, and picky, and sometimes a little rude but that's because he expects more out of students than just their presence in class. Great for serious students
Don't take him, he tries to push you into answering incorrectly. He is very proud of his accomplishments, and doesn't care about you at all. No homework, but when you get C-Ds on all the test, extra grades would help.
This Guy SUCKS!!!!! Drop this class NOW! He expects you to learn outside of his class and does not like to show up to scheduled office hours. Very cocky and self centered.
His tests are hard. Goes off on tangents all the time. If you've taken macro you might be ok in his class. you can pass, but READ THE BOOK and study old test. all test are comprehesive, no attendece policy. if there are other options take them.
No Comments
Just as a recommendation don't take this guy for any upper level econ courses. His classes are fit for graduate level study and his expectations are way too high. It makes no difference how hard you work.
This teacher is ridiculously hard. I study for literally 5 hours 3 nights in a row for the tests and still fail them. I'll be lucky to even pass this class. He tests are so vague and he expects you to know as well as himself. If you have DROP NOW!!!
Get out before the drop date goes by!!! I read these reviews after I made my schedule and decided to try and tough it out--I failed. Very hard tests! Will call on you in class. Very smart man but not to good at explaining things.
Not the easiest class ive taken, but read the text and study for tests (esp from your previous test bc he loves reusing questions) and you will be fine. Very nice guy. Willing to help. Loves if you participate and ask him questions.
Took Micro from him and got a C- and I worked really hard. He's got a BIG ego and is NOT helpful. He tests you on material that is not covered. His office hours are not helpful as well. Don't take him!
If your serious about econ, take him. But, if econ 201 is just a required class I suggest another prof. This guy's written portion of the exams are ridiculously graded, very picky. If you answer with only whats in the text expect to get a 'C' on exams.
This professor's tests are more difficult than necessary. However he is very helpful if you go to him for help. If you take him I recommend you schedule a lot of study time, go to every class, participate in class, etc. If you put forth the effort, you can escape with a high C or low B.
two words. drop. it. worst teacher, he has such a big ego, tests are impossible, doesn't discuss the reading in class, class is incredibly boring.
Very to the point with no tolerance for stupid remarks or poorly thought answers. But,he is willing to discuss a topic until you understand it and answer all serios questions. His tests are hard but everything on them is from lectures or the study guide. There are no surprises.
this guy sucks. DO NOT TAKE HIM!
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. I study non-stop and I'm still barely getting a C (class median score on tests is usually a 50-60)! You can do well on multiple choice questions, but he destroys your grade on essays. If your answers aren't perfect, expect no credit. Trust me, don't get him. Save your GPA.
This man is the worst teacher that I have ever had at James Madison! He is willing to "help", but he is arrogant and disrespectful. I have never had a teacher that would give the same question (worth 20 pts.) twice on the final. If you are not majoring in economics....drop it!
I have never worked so hard for a failing grade in my life! Drop the class while you still can! He is the worst professor I have ever had...he may know what he's talking about, but he CANNOT teach!
There is NO WAY you can pass this class. He is very rude and mean!!! DO NOT TAKE HIM!!!!
Do not take Human Resource Economics, especially if you are not an econ major. Kohen is a terrible teacher. Not only is he unclear, but he's so arrogant that if you ask him to clarify things he takes it as a personal assault on his teaching ability. He's a radical liberal who plays favorites. Th
This man is serious about well thought out answers. If you are to lazy to challenge yourself and others in your writing, you will get a C at best. If however, you are serious about thinking and enjoy difficult arguments, take the class. BTW, I got an A when I took it.
This guy gets on my nerves! He isn't clear in his examples and it seems like every answer someone else gives is ALWAYS WRONG!! Basically he is confusing and without fail will put you to sleep... DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS!!!
He might know what hes talking about, but no one else does. Extremely unclear in class, difficult tests, no chance for even partial credit, egotistical and often disrespectful in class. You'll find a completely different man when hes in his office, but its not enough to make up for class. Dont take it or drop while you can. slaughtered my GPA.
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No Comments
This professor is the hardest one I have ever come across. I read all of his bad comments but thought I could still handle him...I've had to drop the course because of its difficulty. To give you an idea of how hard he is, his grading scale is curved so that if you make a 50, it's still a D (and I made a 51). Do not take him if at all possible.
Kohen is awful. No matter what answer you give on your essays on the tests, they are never right. He is never satisfied with anyone's answers. Very rude when you ask him questions-he will not answer your questions about anything unless you were in class the previous day. DON'T TAKE HIM!!
total ****... i asked for class notes because i was having a serious SURGERY and he belittled me for the fact that i was going to miss his class for that. don't take him, pure jerk, doesnt explain things well, and no matter how much you study and go to class, you will always be wrong.
SUCKS!!! Apparently, the class average at the end of the year was a 55%.... meaning a lot of people failed... me including. This man made me change my major. seriously... i do not recomend him.
Total dip****. I came away with a C in the class: C in Kohen = A anywhere else. If you feel like destroying your gpa, take him. Looks like Mr. Fini from Boy Meets World, which is the upside of it, but otherwise he makes the material boring, does not relate it at all, makes his exawms ridiculously impossibl, bottom line: DONT TAKE HIM AT ALL
I'm kind of surprised at the ratings here... I didnt' think he was that hard (compared to some others) - and nice if you're respectful (aka stay awake, pay attention, don't skip, etc.). Not the most interesting stuff in the world, but hey, it's econ. It can't be. I thought he was a very good teacher, actually.
Bottom line: I got an 81 in his class and received a letter from the ECON head that I was "one of the best in the class." If 'one of the best in the class' can only get an 81, imagine how everyone did. Avoid.
He explained the material like he was teaching at Yale. He seems to forget that this course is a entry level econ course for freasmen and not grad students. He needs to help the students get the foundation in a better way and not try an trick them on exams. I ended up dropping the course because his lectures and the book were to different worlds.
Taking this class is a deathwish. Not only is the content lame but so is the professor. In his books if you don't agree with him you might as well not exist. Plus I had to pay $56 for a book that consists of xerox copies and worthless drivel that we dont even discuss in class. Save yourself the time and just give up now.
by far the worst class i have ever taken at JMU. He is the most boring person on the earth and his tests are impossible. No matter how much you study, you'll fail. Pretty much, your just screwing yourself over if you take him for this class.
This is the worst class i have ever taken in my life! He is absolutly horrible. The tests are impossible, and he gives the option to do optional homeworks, however they are impossible as well. DO NOT TAKE HIM, YOU WILL FAIL! i went to his office hours for help, and he just told me to study, not offering anymore help/advice than that!!!!
I'm surprised at many of the comments on here...Kohen is a difficult professor, but if you study hard, read the material, and attend class...you should be fine! The class average this semester was a 72...if that tells you anything.
Run Away. I had him 8am MWF, and I had to drop the class he was so boring, I couldnt stay awake. His tests were really hard, and he wasn't good at explaining economic ideas.
Kohen isn't the hardest professor at JMU,but it is possible that he is the most pompous and unhelpful.The averages for his exams, which are all cumulative,is usually 65ish.If you enjoy C's,take Kohen, because if you score anything from about mid 50s to mid 70s(which is challenging),it will be a C.He gives few Bs,and fewer As.I advise not taking him
Insane. I don't understand his methodology or principle for communicating what to expect on the test. He personally told me, "You can read the whole text book, study on Blkboard as much as possible, and that still won't mean you will get an A,B, or C." He is a true economist in the fact though he will put as little inputs to max his outputs(salary)
Terrible! Class average for was 63%. Refuses to answer questions during office hours, instead tells you to speak with a classmate. Boring lectures. I was better off reading textbook and buying accompanying study guide. If you HAVE to take ECON 201 and he's your only option for the semester, wait until the next semester. It's worth it!!
Great Professor, once you learn his style, he is very good at explaining concepts. The textbook is great, and if you read it and work with online materials, the class is very do-able. He is very helpful when asked questions to clarify in class, and if you really want to learn, take him!
I am never one to trash talk. However I just spent the entire night studying for his midterm. I walked into class feeling full prepared. The test might as well have been in ketchwa. His tests are unreasonably inconsistent with: His lectures, the book, studying guide, and blackboard. Avoid him as you would a leper
What he says in class is totally different from whats on the book's sideshows. The tests are incredibly difficult as there is no way to know what they will cover.
terrible class.
He tends to complicate every simple situation. Brilliant economist perhaps, not so much of a teacher
class confusing but if you read the book it should help you out alot.
Not a class a beginner business student wants to take. Attending class means nothing, because what he talks about in class is irrevelevant. Everything he teaches is from the textbook, so memorize that. Tests averages are always in the 50s. For a beginner economics class, this is extremely difficult and not worth taking. Will bring down GPA!
Very hard class. I wouldn't recommend taking it if you don't have to. However, its really not that bad if your going twoards business. He actually explains stuff really well and if you use the study guide before every test then it REALLY helps. Alot of the questions on tests are very similar to the questions in the study guides.
Sooo boring. pointless class. he scrambles to try to find stuff to talk about. all of the material is the same. very condescending toward students. the book is compiled articles. share with someone if you can
Most people will say that he is a terrible teacher and hard grader. I on the other hand thought it was a great class. As long as you read the book, go to class, and use blackboard this class should be an easy B. He is a tough grader but the material builds off itself very well. So if you don't understand the beginning you should prob. drop it.
seriously, dont. he's kind of a nut, and makes ridiculous comments all the time. don't expect for him to ever tell you you're right. class is slightly better then getting a body part amputated, and he grades hard on the test. the class isnt impossible, but it will NEVER be enjoyable.
this was a very challenging class. If you take him, make sure to do all the homework (its extra credit and makes ur final worth less), go to office hours if you have any questions, and start studying for the test at least 3 days before hand. The class is very tough. He is an interesting teacher though
He is absolutely THE WORST teacher I have ever had, not only at JMU but in my LIFE. His tests are impossible as they are too long and have too many problems to be able to complete in time. This is the hardest class I have ever taken, and it really should not be given that it is an entry level course. This is going to kill my GPA. Do NOT take him.
It's redicously hard. he curves his tests, but it doesn't matter only one or two people understand what hes talking about. He talks all class and rambles on. Don't take him you'll regret it!
DO NOT TAKE HIM!!! Not only is he tough but he is mean. He doesn't like disruptions during class to the point he won't let you use the bathroom. He just rambles in class and expects way too much from us. Test are hard and they are the only graded things. Get an override if he is the only one left or just wait til next year.
This class is not one of his more interesting ones, simply due to the subject matter. Overall, he's a nice guy, but he expects a lot from his students. Do the readings, SPEAK UP class and see him if you're having trouble- initiative goes a long way with him! Work hard on the papers and blackboard assignments too, they can make or break your grade!
Worst professor so far! Never ask questions in class; otherwise, it will take half of the lecture time for him to explain one thing. Seriously, this guy talks too much that he actually doesn't teach much. His grading is ridiculous. He's a great economist, but definitely NOT a good professor. I would NOT recommend anyone to take his class!
Stay away from this class at all costs. Kohen is a good guy but the class is just so hard. He is not a very good teacher but outside of class he is very helpful. See him in his office hours as much as you can and that will help. Tests are impossible and he grades the optional hw very hard so only do them if you absoultely know the stuff. Hard class
I went to about 5 of the classes the entire semester because his lectures are completely useless. I taught myself the subject from the textbook and got a C. If you like flying blind with a professor who can only make your journey worse... take Kohen. Easily the worst professor I've ever had.
Kohen is really not that awful. His lectures are somewhat interesting, and he is pretty nice outside of class. It's quite a bit of work, but you could definitely do well if you want to. Participate in class, and do the pre/post tests on Blackboard- get the Study Guide too! If you're not a total slacker, take him.
I had him fall semester freshman year, probably my hardest teacher. impossible optional hw assignments (I did one, got an F, never did any again). Difficult tests but ridiculous curves (I got an A with an 85 and an A- with an 83). Optional attendance, 4 tests and a final. Not an impossible class (I ended with a B) but I would definitely go to class
Tough but fair. Go to class and participate, and even if you get answers wrong you'll be on his good side. One midterm, a paper, presentation and a final. Not hard to get a B. Good class to take for the Econ major's 400-level requirement.
this was a really really hard class. i'd really suggest trying to find another prof. for econ 201. the class is nearly impossible, he talks about social sciences the entire time and nothing is relevent. tests are CRUCIAL. but no real hw, 4 tests and a final.
Professor Kohen believes that he is gods gift to economics, but apparently god didn't have a place for him at yale so he gets through his miserable life by putting down any innocent bystander with a pompous retort. Any student who has spent more then one class period with him will realize that he is a man whose ego is too big for his classroom.
Of the many teachers with whom I have studied, Prof. Kohen is one of the finest in many ways: his lectures are clear, his tests fairly represent the material we are asked to study, and during office appointments, he shows himself to be an excellent listener, attentive to his students' needs. Plan to study & your work will pay off.
Andy is very intelligent and knows his economics, no doubt. He comes across as a little pompous in class due to his formal language and repeated use of uncessarily large words. He's a nice guy, and willing and able to help. You will have to work in his class and if u dont study, you will suffer, mightily. The tests are no joke- take them seriously.
Kohen's class is challenging, but he is fair and will help you if you need it. The 4 tests + the final are the main grades. Good class, but tough professor.
Average grade is a 65 for every class
Class Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.20 avg changeRatings by Course
ECON307
4.0
(1)ECON300
3.5
(2)ECON460
3.3
(4)MICROECON
3.3
(4)300
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
300
5.0
COB241
5.0
COB201
5.0
GECON200
5.0
ECON1
5.0