2.2
Quality4.0
Difficulty21%
Would Retake105
Reviews21%
Would Retake
105
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
13
4
14
3
10
2
16
1
52
What Students Say
“hes got to be one of the worst professors in queens college”
ECON202 - 1.0 rating“Terrible grader, does not even give assignment tasks clearly”
ECON207 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
47%
Textbook Required
64%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.48 avg changeRatings by Course
ECON328
5.0
(1)ECON249
4.0
(1)ECON217
4.0
(1)ECON102
3.3
(9)ECON205
3.3
(4)Difficulty by Course
ECON1018
5.0
ECONO102
5.0
PRICETHEORY
4.7
ECON202
4.6
ECON207
4.6
Reviews (105)
i liked all my professors except this guy he sucks
He can't teach> Don't take him
At first class seems like a nightmare but after awhile not so bad. Do the hwk assignments and you will be prepared for his exams and he will average in hwk as two 100's. He makes him self available to meet with him during the week if you need help. Also sit in the front sometimes he talks too fast and hand writting is not that great.
you will never understand what he is trying to say, and also you gotta be good at taking note, otherwise u'll never be able to pass his class
I think he is a good professor, he explains clearly, I'm happy with him
Excellent teacher,nice guy,very fair tests.
take him. good prof., fsir grader, really tries hard to explain everything to his students. do your work and B+ is yours!
Hard class itself but not a good professor. He should practice writing clearly, if you don't sit in first row forget understanding his writing, also very very unclear about his idea. Avoid him if you can or try
i have no idea how i passed but i still don't get half the material. he likes to roll his eyes condescendingly when you ask him a question. he draws really bad graphs so make sure you're in the front row. and something about the way he talks is just very annoying and makes people tune out. also, i hear he favors dudes over chicks when grading
He is good. Make sure to sit at the front row so that you can copy all his notes. Notes are very important becuase exam is usually from the notes. You don't need to study hard but make sure to be in class and study the notes A becomes yours. His explanation is good take him you won't regret it. Just make sure you do the things i mentioned above.
"He is good. Make sure to sit at the front row so that you can copy all his notes. Notes are very important becuase exam is usually from the notes. You don't need to study hard but make sure to be in class and study the notes A becomes yours. His explanation is good take him you won't regret it. Just make sure you do the things i mentioned above."
Oh god, this guy knows his stuff for sure, but just is not a good "teacher", yes granted this is a hard course, but we are students trying to learn at least try to make the material interesting. honestly i feel that he hates me and would not recommend anyone to take his class. profs should not make students feel the way i feel in my opinion.
i tend to do well with graphs and the material was pretty difficult to understand. studying is a must. he gives 3 exams. 3rd exam on finals week not cumulative. 3 homeworks due on exam day. he is a tough prof but tries to make things clear. very sarcastic...lol. you have to answer 5 questions out of 8 that he gives you on the exam. exams are diffic
Very weird professor. He gets offended when someone asks him a basic question.
This profesor is very impatient and is easily annoyed when asked a simple question. Tends to be sarcastic and arrogant. Very difficult to follow class lecture. I learned everything from text book. Studying is a must. Expect 3 exams & 3 assigments due on exam dates. If you study the text book, you can easily pass the exams.
This prof sticks to his lecture n u have to ask him nicely for a question. 4get asking where is the subject is located on the txtbk plus he will say, "don't ask that question again". Hand written on the chaulk board is bad. A voice recorder is a MUST. His test is easy. You just have to study right stuff.
the worst
Avoid him at all cost!He makes his subject sound more complicated than it is. When asked a question gives confusing answers. Also never gives back tests and assignments on time.He knows his subject, but can't convey clearly. Does a lot of writing on the board, so make sure you sit upfront(not that it helps).Read the textbook to get a passing grade.
Presents the material very well in an organized manner. Sit in front to copy notes from board. Study notes and read the text. I did fine without being an expert on graphs. Just read the text and study your class notes a lot. Exams are fair and if you do that you will do fine. Good prof even if he is sometimes particular about things. Very fair.
Classic example of a professor who resents students not being as smart as him. I somehow pulled an A out of this class, largely due to my classmates getting terrible grades. This guy lectures as if students already have an extreme knowlege of economics. And he has a real whiny voice. Gives long essay exams. And seems intolerant of questions.
this guy has no business being employed as a teacher.i would not even trust him to teach my 3 yr old. he pretends to be some kind of scholar,but he just babbles on incomprehensibly. total waste of time.
Someone please fire this dude. He is an angry guy with emotional problems who takes it out on his classes. He cant teach for his life and needs to learn how to talk like a normal person to his students instead of treating us like insignificant idiots. I learned nothing except that my prof has serious issues.
Do not take this professor! He is not helpful in the least and he treats students with utter disrespect. If you want to learn economics this is not the guy for you. also, dont even think of asking any questions unless you want to get a a haughty and condescending answer that makes you feel sorry for even asking it.
Please please do NOT take this class. He is terrible. His hw has nothing to do with the tests. If you ask him any questions during class he makes you feel stupid. He is arrogant. Take someone else.
If you are stuck taking him here are some tips: pay attention and take detailed notes,then read the passages from the textbook that correspond the notes. His test are NOT multiple choice. Memorize concepts and graphs accordingly. Also definitions n examples. He give 3 test including a final,3 assignments that r somewhat time consuming n not easy.
He is a great teacher with a personality problem. I am getting A's in his course. Just do the tips below and you'll do fine. His exams are fair and his grading is fair. I would recommend him to somebody else. If economics is not your thing then breeze thru the chapter b4 class n u should b good. Dont b scared to take him he's not that bad
Worst professor you can ever have he does not care about his students. This guy should not be a professor, the career he should look into is being a mourtition, where people won't know who he is. Not a nice guy and isn't helpful, you are waisitng you time taking this class. DON'T TAKE
very nice teacher, go to class and take notes, every word he says and writes on the bored, his exams come from them know tem by heart. tests rn't hard very fair, u don't need the book that much if you understand your notes,mostly for homeworks, 3 homework, do them slowly as he assingns 2 you, dont leave it the last minute. 3 tests. recommended :)
He is a good teacher but, if you really want to learn otherwise you will hink that he just keeps talking. he needs to explain the things in somewha simpe english otherewise someimes it is no easy to understand him, esp. people,4whom english is their second language, or if they are not gd 2 understand the way he talks.Overall he is a gd teacher.
Overall, he's not a bad professor but he's very particular. you must attend class regularly because most of the exams come from the notes.
He's a decent professor: just take good notes and attend class consistently!
It seems like he has a lot of emotional/personality problems like someone said. He is very sarcastic and disrepectful to students and you can notice the class looking around thinking "what the hell is wrong with him". doesn't know how to teach, he just reviews as if you already know it. really should not be a teacher and should seek therapy
He is a good professor. Most of his exams are from his NOTES. Test are fair. He is very organized. Has a personality problem but who cares! I would take him again.
the content is old. he is a First principle of economics is no free lunch..he is a hard core chicago school guy and teaches yesterday's economics - who is hoarding labor these days? He also seems uncomfortable constantly.
He is an OK type of professor. Lots of note taking, however exams are mostly from his notes. He will not let you use the cell phone, even if it's a family emergency, I think for me that's just ridiculous. Exams are essay type therefore be prepared to write a lot.
REAL personality problem. It's quite frustrating to ask questions, and he really has gotta get out more often, get a gf or somethin. But when i look back, i realize i learned quite a bit about microeconomics from a summer course.
Not a personable professor don’t use ur cell phone in class this annoy him.Lecture doesn’t follow the text book. Very scattered lecture difficult to follow but come to all his class for his notes– exams based mostly on his lecture. Study study the notes and do the assignments will be able to get a B at least.
He is in overall a good professor, has personality problem, very sarcastic and not approachable. His exams are based on his notes; you have three homework assignments and his exams are fair.
If you take this guy, be prepared to take a lot of notes and not text in class. He means it!
Unapproachable and snippy. Required 5 books and wrote A LOT of his own notes on the board but said you have to know Everything from all sources for the exams. Material is more supportive of his own right-wing views than of Comparative Econ. Only Pro is that writing notes on the board (usually lists and definitions) makes it easier to study them.
He's the most terrible prof I've ever met in college life and the 5 books he required for the class are useless. Exams are hard and mainly based on his notes. No electric devices allowed and have to take all his notes based on his view. Unapproachable and sarcastic personality, so mean to students. worked hard for this course still get a D!
I found horrible professor in my Queens College. He does not know how to do calculus derivates; however, he is gonna tell you guys that he never ever took the mathematics class in college because he learnt all mathematics class in high school. Few the students we approached to econ dept but chairman could not do anything. good luck
hes got to be one of the worst professors in queens college. its just unenjoyable to be in class. attendance is mandatory and he bugs out if he sees any electronic device
First off, no phones in class. he puts you on the spot for it, yes he is one of those anti-technology folks. Very close-minded, if you want to express your own thoughts and they conflict with his, he shuts you down and with- effort tries to make you acknowledge you are wrong. Terrible grader, does not even give assignment tasks clearly.
Talks endlessly, sure is about the subject matter but is presented in the most bland and unintersting way. I don't think he cares if you learn, just wants to hear himself talk. Don't bother asking questions he will ridicule you and put you down. The class has no structure, he offers no clarification or help. A tree stump has more personality.
Give you guys a suggestion, do not think this is a easy Sunday Econ class, it might ruin your life.
This was the worst class I have ever taken in my life. Such a waste of my time and money. The lectures are super boring and sometimes confusing, his midterms are awful and very frustrating, his grading criteria was very unclear to me. Very disappointed. He indeed can ruin your life and your gpa
The subject is interesting but he just teaches you in a way that makes it difficult. The test are hard and he doesnt try to help you in class if you dont understand something. If you ask something he shuts you down and hes very anal about being on you phone. Do not take unless you have to
Class is not easy. Its important to right down class notes. For exams class notes is important to review off for a good grade. Take a coffee to stay awake and listen in class. Attendance is not mandatory but needed to pass the exams.
AVOID! His exams are all-essay, with multiple parts (a,b,c,d). The first exam was heavily based on his lectures. The second exam was the complete opposite. The final exam was about 50/50. You never know what to expect! Lectures are boring. Rude and condescending if you ask a question/comment. Doesnt collect homework.
This is by far the worst professor at Queens College. Definitely discriminatory towards minorities and just very rude in general. Is anti-technology so don't even think about your phone or your laptop unless you want him to stop the whole class . He does not care bout his students, he should be fired. He also needs to hit the gym.
I usually don't write comments but I have to say Professor Balsam is a great professor ( I took him 3 times) not your usual typical class where profs read off power-point slides and you just listen. Professor Balsam is very knowledgeable and will make you understand the depth within economic. Read your notes and get good grades! Simple simple!
Professor isn't easy but he isn't hard either. You MUST show up to class & take notes, even on online class. His tests are ESSAYs based on CLASS lectures & readings. You cannot use other resources, he will know & fail those questions. Personally, I learned a lot from him & thru his readings. Took him 2x this year,will be taking him again next year
His lectures were interesting and his test were base on the lectures, his lectures were long but interesting. The grading was just a Midterm and Finals. I didn't do well on the midterm but I learn how to study for the the final which I think I did well. Overall was a bit stressed but enjoyed the course.
if you're desperate and have no other choice, take him. i guess he's not too bad. the lectures are B O R I N G. and the midterm and final is based off those boring long lectures. you'll do good if you have an amazing attention span and a thing for long boring lectures.
If you miss class, you are going to have a problem. Tests are essay based. DON"T TAKE THE CLASS UNLESS YOU HAVE TO.
he babbles. very condescending. he lectures. he does not teach. you can get lost so easily. so difficult. exams are all essays. 5 of which he wants with graphs and don't you dear ask what will be the focus of the exam. Who boasts about failing students? What power he exudes. I was totally distracted by confusion. This class was a mandatory failure.
He has long boring lectures, he proudly speaks about failing students. He only gives a midterm and a final which is 5 question essay based answers. Do yourself a favor and do no take him I repeat do not take him. He does not help when you ask for a breakdown of exams. Hes condescending, his syllabus is not detailed its poorly structured.
Take detailed notes, you "pass". 2 exams based strictly on lectures. Book is informative but most of it isn't even brought up in the lecture. Syllabus is vague on what you'll learn. Have not learned anything significant unlike my other Econ/Bus courses. If you enjoy lectures based on text and go along with chapters, DONT take him. 50% drop rate.
Attend class, still won't pass lectures are irrelevant to the exams. Readings are semi-relevant to his exam essay-based questions. This guy needs to be fired.
Professor only gave a midterm and final and the exams were super long. Does not curve or give any EC opportunities to boost your grade if you did bad on exams. Lectures are also really long but somewhat interesting. Wish the professor gave more opportunities to be graded on because 2 exams are not enough. Class material is not very hard though.
This guy is extremely boring, very full of himself and doesn't understand the topics he teaches. He teaches a class on comparative economic systems and first class he has made unnecessary attacks on politicians he doesn' like, any system other then late stage capitalism and when caught contradicting himself he just dismisses the students opinion .
He has such a wrong way of grading and giving test. Every text is essay based. It is not a writing class. when you don't know English it gets really hard to even understand the book. And when exams are all writing and you grade that strict there is no chances of getting an A even you you try your very best. UNFAIR
He proudly talks about falling student. His format of exam is all writings. DO NOT TAKE HIM choose different professor !!!!!!!!!!!
I am an A student, but I have never had such a difficult class in my life. I was expecting for an A, but after massing my exam, I'm afraid he won't even give me a B. Overal he is an excelent professor but since its writing gets diffucunt for me. He is an excellent professor in general, but I am finding it increasingly difficult to write.
AVOID! Do not take him unless you have no other option. He is the worst professor, he only gives one midterm and one final. No homework at all so there's no way to boost your grade. He is very particular as to what terms you can use. He thinks he is always right, doesn't care about students. Seems like all he cares is failing everyone.
DO NOT TAKE HIM! Even if you go to class and take notes you will still fail his class. he shouldn't be teaching anymore
Absolutely the worst Professor I have ever taken in school. He never lets you know the format of his exams and constantly shows attitude towards his students. If you take him get ready for an F
Class is challenging and awful. Looks at every detail on exams. take his class if you want to lower your GPA. would never retake this professor.
Don't take this professor seriously he only gives three exams that will be graded harshly and not even an extra credit if you messed up. Also very anti-technology don't bother pulling up ur device.
Very anti-technology. Your grade depends only on three exams that are essay based, not easy, and are graded harshly. There are no extra credits; if you miss a class, good luck because he does not do any reviews. There is no homework at all. The professor gives out the syllabus in the first class, which is very confusing. AVOID!
easily irritable,old guy. doesnt allow use of electronics so u can only handwrite ur notes. doesnt use slides either so u really gotta pay attention in class. doesnt give any hw or quizzes, so if u do bad on exams ur screwed. exams are only short answers, so u really gotta know what ur writing about, but he doesnt really teach that well either.
This professor is decent when it comes to teaching the course material, but be prepared to face some challenging exams.
Very knowledgeable in the field of economics. Showing up does matter for the course. If you show up to the lectures then you will be well prepped for the exams that he gives out. Overall a really understanding person that will help you sort out any confusion after class if you were to run into any trouble understanding.
An understanding person that has a very easy way of explaining things. I honestly feel like some people wouldn't understand his teaching methods but it's overall a very simple and straightforward way of teaching. You must pay attention and you must also review material to pass his class
He is impossible to understand in class and his handwriting on the board is atrocious. If a student asks a question, he reacts in a very condescending way, as if everyone is supposed to know what he has been studying for years. Your grade will only be based on the 3 tests he gives, no other assignments to boost your grade. Try to avoid him.
Listen to all the reviews you read which is what I should have done. No technology in class and is very abrupt. He does not care about his students and even disrespectful to them at times when they try to ask questions. There is no hw and he expects you to know a broad range of topics for the test and he does not let you know what is on the test.
This was one of my least favorite classes I have ever taken. You do not get to use an I-Pad or laptop to take notes, and if you do bring out your phone for even a second he gets mad at you. The tests are all cumulative and he throws in things he speaks about for 5 mins in class. If you challenge what he is teaching about he does not help to get it.
Grade is based off of 3 tests and a final no homework. no electronics allowed in class. Gets emotional fast if he sees a phone. He needs to go out and touch some grass.
He's a very disrespectful and quick tempered professor, electronics devices needs to be put away. All notes should be taken based on his clumsy handwriting on the board, and he reacts in a very condescending way if you have any questions. His midterm is very difficult and it's based on everything you learned so far. I don't recommend taking him.
Although Prof. Balsam does not allow tech in class, it's due to the fact that he really wants you to focus in class on one thing and one thing only; i.e., economics. Although, he may seem somewhat harsh and somewhat of a tough grader, if you put in the work, you will succeed in his class. Overall, I had a good experience in this class.
One of the most intellectually stimulating professors here. The ones who complain are not attending class or reading the books. If you attend every class and read the books you will get an A. If you are not attending class and reading the books, you are cheating yourself out of a practically guaranteed A.
The class itself is easy if you show up, engaging lectures with good examples of graphs and charts. The tests sometimes have too much content for the time allotted. The real issue resides with his attitude. Not afraid to make you feel bad, and has some dangerous opinions on current events and poverty/classism that he brings up in class regularly.
Bad teacher
Way too hard to understand the way he explains the lesson and just the way he talks in general. Also no guidance whatsoever for the exam
Avoid!!! Never again
Terrible attitude.
Speaks fast and often has sarcastic attitude to students when they ask questions. Plus no electronics allowed in class and no help for what we should study for the exam??
What a shame. This guy couldn't do so he teaches. I hope he read this and make his insides boil. You ask him a simple question he dosent want him to answer but make you answer it. BTW tesla is profitable you ding dong and has no dividends. Your not smart at all. Your book smart and that about it
I recently took Money and Banking with Prof. Balsam. He is a great professor who is fair and really wants you to learn. Lectures mainly take prominence on exams, but readings will reinforce those concepts learned. I highly recommend this professor.
Bad teacher!
This is a brilliant professor. He made sure to cover everything thoroughly. There is math and a lot of graphs to draw. The complaints are from people who do not come to class and do not read the books. Hey, if you do not come to class and read the books, why are you enrolled in college?
Don't come
The professor is a genius. He is very thorough and knowledgeable. No electronics, this is college. If you read the material and write your own notes as well and study you will do well.
This professor acts so old it's hilarious. He does not allow any electronics. If he sees any device out, he will scold you in front of the entire class. I love him. What I hated was that I never learned anything from his lectures. I'd have to teach myself. His tests are all short answers. Just study hard. WARNING: His handwriting is really messy.
Do not take this class if your looking for easy credits. The class was tough due to the professor not using Brightspace. He is knowledgeable about economics however if you do not pay attention you will not do good on the tests. He is a lenient grader on tests however the material is just hard.
He is not very clear with his teaching, he makes bad jokes and rambles sometimes. He's knowledgeable in his work but he's n
The worst professor I've ever had in my college experience. He's rude to discourage students from asking questions, and doesn't give partial credit. The expectation for graphs to look perfect is unrealistic. Forget about getting an A; you won't pass the class unless you already know everything.
He goes over class time every single day by 20 min. He doesn't give any partial credit but his exam are designed to make you fail. He behaves very rude.
His teaching style is so disorganized. For a 101 class, he acts like you're supposed to already know everything on the subject. It took him 2 hours to explain GDP, and he didn't even say what the abbreviation stood for or meant until 45 minutes in. No electronics allowed in class. Tells unnecessary personal stories, and passes them off as wisdom.
Tests are really hard, when students ask questions he has a horrible attitude towards them as if they are supposed to know everything already. He doesn't really teach he just writes stuff on the board you have to copy it, I have pretty much had to teach myself everything so far throughout this course. I don't recommend this teacher at all.
He is prepared before hand and shows his personality. Although he sometimes goes on a tangent, he still doesn't deviate too far from what is being taught. Grading rubric is straightforward and like any class, well at least most of the ones I've taken, effort from the individual is needed. Overall challenging but rewarding.
Think twice before taking this guy. I was told to “bite the bullet” and go through with him as a freshman. That was the biggest mistake I made. He's nasty, doesn't allow any technology, and makes you feel like you are useless to society. He tells jokes about students that he knew that dropped out, and warns us to not be like them. Be careful.
I wish I dropped before the deadline. Do not take this class.
Doesn't really teach and just smacks info on the board. If you read the textbook and study your notes you should be fine. Wouldn't be my first choice though.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
47%
Textbook Required
64%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.48 avg changeRatings by Course
ECON328
5.0
(1)ECON249
4.0
(1)ECON217
4.0
(1)ECON102
3.3
(9)ECON205
3.3
(4)Difficulty by Course
ECON1018
5.0
ECONO102
5.0
PRICETHEORY
4.7
ECON202
4.6
ECON207
4.6