3.7

Peter Thiel

Economics - Paradise Valley Community College

3.7
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
52%
Would Retake
123
Reviews
3.7
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
3.8
Helpful
3.7
Clarity

52%

Would Retake

123

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

56

4

28

3

14

2

14

1

11

What Students Say

Do not take this class or this professor

ECN211 - 2.0 rating

He's a nice guy with good intentions

ECN212 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

88%

Textbook Required

79%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B-

95% confidence
Based on 36 grades
Most common grades:
B (8)
C (7)
A (7)
Grade Distribution
A(10)B(9)C(9)D(5)F(1)A-/B+(4)
Based on 41 reported grades
B: 8
C: 7
A: 7
B+: 4
Common Tags
Test heavy (16)
Skip class? You won't pass. (12)
Lecture heavy (12)
Amazing lectures (5)
Caring (5)
Tough grader (5)
TEST HEAVY (3)
Gives good feedback (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.56 avg change
Jul
Oct
Jan
Jun
Dec
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ECN111AND112

5.0

(1)

ECO192

5.0

(1)

ECN101

5.0

(1)

ECON100

5.0

(1)

MICROECONOMICS

4.5

(2)
+21 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ECO101

5.0

ECON111112

5.0

MACROMICRO

5.0

MICROMACROECN

5.0

ECON

5.0

Reviews (123)
5.0
4.0
ECON101
Feb 11, 2004

Excellent instructor. Always willing to spend the time if you are. Tests truly TEST if you understand the inticacies of Econ. Not an easy ride, but always pleasant and reasonable, Don't bother arguing; rather, figure out where you went wrong.

3.0
5.0
ECO101
Jul 15, 2004

No Comments

2.0
5.0
ECN112
Jul 22, 2004

No Comments

2.0
5.0
ECN111
Oct 7, 2004

This class is very difficult, unless you love economics and have a passion for it. This was the biggest waste of time and money.

2.0
4.0
ECN112
Mar 31, 2005

Extremely boring. Hard to understand. Attendance nazi (takes attendance twice a day, will drop too). Test nazi (a test EVERY week). Did I mention how boring he is? I can barely sit through his class.

4.0
5.0
ECON111112
Aug 24, 2005

He is there to teach and expects you to be there to learn. Knows the subject very well. Eager for questions and answers them clearly. Is better at micro than macro!

4.0
4.0
ECN111
Aug 26, 2005

Knowledgeable, willing to explain but talks fast, all notes are printed and given to you, may strike a political nerve in some. test EVERY SINGLE WEEK however works in your favor b/c if they werent weekly, nobody would pass.quizzes=12 questions, you choose which 10 to answer. final =70 questions, you choose which 60 to answer. Boring, lecture ONLY.

4.0
5.0
MACROMICRO
Aug 30, 2005

No Comments

4.0
5.0
MICROMACROECN
Sep 6, 2005

Really a good teacher, but really damn hard class. I almost think the man is too smart for his own good.

2.0
4.0
MACROECONOMICS
Sep 9, 2005

No Comments

3.0
4.0
ECN112
Oct 9, 2005

Took Macro. Not an easy class at all. All notes are provided by powerpoint printouts. If you miss a class, you might as well figure on a zero on the next quiz. Likes to quiz weekly. Interesting quiz format- 12 ?'s given, 10 are your choice to answer. Expect to put in some time and keep up with the book/ study guide. Final was fair.

4.0
2.0
MICROECONOMICS
Oct 14, 2005

the class is easy. he even types out the notes for you. i never listen to him during class because he is soooo boring, but i get good grades on the tests just from reading the notes he gives us.

1.0
5.0
ECON
Oct 18, 2005

No Comments

5.0
2.0
MICROECONOMICS
Oct 25, 2005

This guy knows his stuff, and the class is only hard if you make it difficult on yourself by not studying- you study- you pass, as easy as that

5.0
4.0
ECN111
Dec 15, 2005

Umm yeah. 200 points, 75% of which consists of 15 10-point quizes. 50-point final. He has no mercy and expects his students to be prepared. He is a good teacher, very intelligent man. If you need to be spoon fed your material DO NOT take his classes

5.0
1.0
ECN111AND112
Dec 21, 2005

I took ECN 111 and 112, and got an A and a B. I showed up to class almost every day (missed one or two), listened to lecture and followed along with the class notes (that he provides to you), and studied for about 15 minutes before each quiz. That's it. Without too much effort I got good grades and learned a lot. This guy is really good.

5.0
4.0
ECN111
Jan 25, 2006

He is a very good teacher but is not very easy. expecting the student to be prepared for every other class quizes. I got an A from him but it wasn't an easy A.

4.0
5.0
ECN111
Aug 24, 2006

Very intelligent teacher, very strict, he is a nice person and he knows his material. There is no sob-storying him, he has high expectations and if you get an A then you deserve it. This is the only class I have ever gotten a C in, missed a B by a few points.

3.0
3.0
MACRO112
Oct 11, 2006

Do not buy book. Quizzes and tests are straight from notes. Notes contradict book. I got a B and studied before each (weekly) quiz for about a hour. Had a high B going into the (cumlative) final and bombed it. Head of Department calls him the toughest teacher on campus.

4.0
4.0
ECN211
Jan 18, 2007

Thiel is a fantastic teacher. He knows his material EXTREMELY well. If you absorb his lectures you are bound to learn very much and do well. Unfortunately, his accent, lecturing methods, and lack of personality make this difficult. Do not miss his tests, make up requirements are drastic. He probably belongs teaching high graduate level courses.

4.0
3.0
ECN111
Oct 18, 2007

Awsome! I like this guy, his class is completly different from Maneshni(sp) the other economics professor. Only quizzes, and a final. I think a little kiss ass works on this guy...

1.0
5.0
ENC112
Dec 14, 2007

There were quizzes every other day, was boring and difficult to get an c

5.0
1.0
ECN212
Jan 25, 2008

Dr. Thiel really knows economics. He made the subject interesting! The good news is theres no homework. Just study for the tests and you will do fine!

5.0
4.0
ECN212
Feb 5, 2008

Fair teacher, straight-foward approach, what we do in class is what is on the test, if you study you will succeed. Light accent but perfect grammar :)

3.0
5.0
ECON101
Apr 6, 2008

I took his macro econ class. Very boring. He treated the class like children. If you are late you don't get to sign the attendance list.

4.0
5.0
ECN212
Jun 29, 2008

Very boring. He reads from powerpoint slides the whole time. Rarely has interaction with students. Tests are very hard. He is a fair teacher. Nice guy. Speaks with a little bit of an accent.

3.0
4.0
ECN211
Jul 15, 2008

very very boring. he is a mexican teacher teaching an american government class, has accent. difficult class. has quiz every other day. fourteen quizzes and big final at end. diffcult class for sure

5.0
3.0
ECN111
Jul 28, 2008

Dr. Thiel is definitely one of the better lecturers on campus - a very smart guy that really knows the material. His class & notes are organized and clear. I see a few comments below that say that he's boring, but, honestly, it's an economics course and I don't know what kind of exciting atmosphere these people are expecting.

5.0
2.0
ECN211
Sep 5, 2008

I love Dr. Thiel. If you have issues with Thiel, than the issues are your own. Many students complain about his accent but that just shows how truly redneck our little state is. I have learned tremendously from him and would take him for every course if he taught it. (which he could)I am thankful they have this quality at a Comm. College.

3.0
4.0
ECN211
Nov 13, 2008

He pretty much sticks to his notes and we don't use the book at all-which I like :) He can speak very fast sometimes and it's hard to keep up at times, but overall he's not a bad teacher. At first he seems very strict, but he's not that bad.

4.0
4.0
ECN111
Nov 19, 2008

Don't buy book. Great teacher. Seems strict at first but really he is just clear and fair about what he expects. I learned a lot. Lots of formula's to learn but I think that's the subject not the professor. Study your notes and you will do fine.

4.0
3.0
ECNMIRC
Dec 18, 2008

very professional, very intelligent, does not mind helping out side of class. i have taken him and Bahman, and Dr.Thiel is much better teacher.

2.0
5.0
ECN111
Jan 8, 2009

I hated this class. He does not interact with the class and reads strictly from the power point. Thought i was going to die. Very boring. Take Manashni or Williams for sure.

5.0
5.0
ECON101
Feb 25, 2009

OMG...Don't listen to these whiners -- Dr. Thiel is excellent. This is college, remember? This isn't blow-off time and Dr. Thiel is a university quality professor. Ask your questions and get clarification if you have trouble; he's more than willing to spend the time with you if you are.

5.0
3.0
ECN211
Apr 7, 2009

Don't buy the book. The questions for the quizzes come right off of the powerpoints. If you can't pass in that type of environment maybe you should consider a career flipping burgers. I got an A

5.0
3.0
ECN212
Apr 22, 2009

Great teacher. Requires you to understand the material instead of just memorizing things for test. Every class builds on things you learned previously so its not a good class to slack off. He is very willing to help you outside of class if you have question.

5.0
2.0
ECN211
Apr 24, 2009

Very professional and smart guy. Don't buy the book, he teaches entirely from his powerpoints. He gives out paper copies of the presentation, which covers everything you need to know so you can focus on learning the material instead of taking notes. Tests were easy if you understand the concepts. You only need to answer 10 out of 12 questions.

5.0
1.0
ECN212
Apr 29, 2009

His lectures are really clear and straightforward. He gives good examples and explains things well. There's a small quiz every week. Overall he's great, and his class is really easy to get an A in.

3.0
5.0
ECN211
May 4, 2009

I switched over from Batman's class thinking it was a good idea. Wrong! This professor is nuts! He takes attendance twice every time! Not to mention those stupid quizzes every Tues! Lets just say the class average was below a C. Hard to listen to, very boring. I dropped this course halfway through & that is the smartest thing I have ever done!

3.0
5.0
ECN212
May 16, 2009

This professor and class were very hard. All he did was lecture from PowerPoint, which was boring, and it was hard to understand his accent. His quizzes were very hard every week, and if you get 3 out of 10 wrong you get a C! I would not recommend him or Batman as a professor, and to get another professor! Overall, I hated this professor and this c

5.0
4.0
ECN211
Jun 18, 2009

I am taking his summer class, but I think Thiel is a brilliant and fair teacher! Extremely intelligent (and I am pretty sure he memorized everyones name in class; just after the first day!) Yes he does lecture straight from power points (no need for the book). He answers all questions and grades honestly. He is a University style teaching at PVCC.

5.0
4.0
ECN212
Nov 18, 2009

By far my favorite class this semster. Very very smart teacher, who seems passionate about helping each student out. Class is hard but if you study you will end up learning a lot and getting a good grade! :)

5.0
4.0
ECN211
Dec 16, 2009

Taking macroeconomics with him right now. He is such a nice guy and extremely smart. He knows so much and his lectures show it. I had a bit of trouble keeping up with his pace but got better over time. His final is over the entire class though with no study guide. If you aren't really interested like me you kinda gotta work hard to do well.goodluck

5.0
1.0
ECN211
Dec 16, 2009

Goes through the material quickly. If you have questions, ask them, or else he will assume the class understands and will move on. I found this class easy with minimum time spent outside of class.

5.0
4.0
ECN211
Jan 6, 2010

I thought he was a great teacher. I had no interest in economics before I took this class and found it very interesting. There is no need for the book. Yes his class is hard but you are in school to learn correct? He does a stellar job of providing the class with a great dissection of the material.

5.0
4.0
ECN211
May 10, 2010

Dr. Thiel is the Best teacher I have ever had in my life! You dont need a book for his class he provides the material so you save money. He gives great examples and tells the most amazing stories to help you understand the material.Even if you have no interest in this class, you will when you arrive, because of this teacher. Thanks Dr. Thiel

5.0
4.0
ECN111
Jun 15, 2010

Great teacher. He makes the subject really interesting. Coming from a 4.0 student, you have to work REALLY hard to get an A, but it's possible. I was one of 3 A's in his class. No need for a book, he provides all the notes. No homework, only weekly tests and final. Seems great but its the only way you can earn points so STUDY hard, they're tricky.

5.0
3.0
ECN212
Jul 23, 2010

DR. Thiel is a great professor and very intelligent. He can make this class very interesting just pay attention and study the notes. If you don't understand something you must tell him or he will assume you know it all. If I ever had to take another economics class I would def. take one of his courses. -JOHN

5.0
1.0
ECN211
Aug 9, 2010

As long as you pay attention in the class you should be fine. Super easy and he has great examples to help understand the material.

5.0
4.0
ECN211
Sep 16, 2010

Doesn't require a book. Provides notes. Very clear, concise, explains when necessary, and the examples are relevant. The class is challenging but very doable. I would recommend the workbook if its not your thing. He will also stay after to answer questions too.

5.0
4.0
ECN212
Oct 21, 2010

AMAZING teacher! I had NO interest in taking this class, but he makes it great! He gives handouts which are EXACTLY what you get tested on. Does not try to 'trick' you. Very clear cut and to the point. Do not be tardy for his class. He takes attendance at the beginning and end of class!

5.0
2.0
ECO192
Nov 5, 2010

One of the best teachers I have ever had. He makes a relitively boring subject interesting. He makes note taking very easy as he prints handouts of what he is covering in the slideshow. HE REALLY KNOWS HIS SUBJECT. He doesn't just read out of the book, he knows the subject well enough to speak off the cuff. He has a slight accent but it is not bad.

5.0
4.0
ECN101
Dec 22, 2010

I took both Macro and Micro with Dr. Thiel and found both class to be some of my more enjoyable classroom experiences. If you attend class, pay attention, and ask questions when you have them, you will do well.

5.0
4.0
ECN212
May 11, 2011

Dr. Thiel is the best professor ever! I was entirely unsure of my major before I took his classes and now I'm majoring in econ. He stays on topic and is very knowledgeable about the subject. A textbook is not required. Best grading method I've seen so far -Ashley R.

5.0
3.0
ECN212
May 29, 2011

Difficult course but great instructor! So organized that he provides a copy of his powerpoint at the beginning of the course. A short 10 question quiz given once a week every week and then the all-inclusive final exam. Tough course, but a better option than Maneshni.

5.0
3.0
ECN211
May 30, 2011

Dr. Thiel is an amazing teacher. He is truly passionate about what he is teaching. All of his classes are structured the same and very consistent. As long as you pay attention to the lectures and study for the tests, you will do just fine.

5.0
2.0
ECN211
Jul 15, 2011

The class material is tricky but he does a great job of explaining it. I think he is an excellent teacher. You don't need the textbook so save yourself some money. He hands out his powerpoint notes so you don't need to write anything in class. He is very open to questions and will take extra time to help you understand.

5.0
3.0
ECN212
Jul 21, 2011

Dr. Thiel is one of the best professors out there imo. He explains things quite well. No hw, textbooks are not required but recommended. His gives out tests daily and does have a final. They are really tricky so make sure you understand the info, not just memorizing it. Other than that, hes very helpful and open to questions. Take him!

4.0
4.0
ECNBOTH
Jul 23, 2011

Dr. Thiel was very professional and organized. He used PowerPoint all the time and provided the complete copy at the beginning of the semester. He lectured fast but periodically stop for questions. In Spring and Fall, he had office hours during which he patiently helped students one-on-one. He required high discipline yet very helpful.

4.0
4.0
ECN211
Dec 15, 2011

Great teacher. Actually taking another class with him in the summer. Don't buy the book unless you want to read but it's not required. He will help you out as much as he can as long as you show interest. He gives you most of your notes so you just need to read. Not a fun class but very educational. PVCC and it's students are luch to have him.

5.0
2.0
ECN211
Aug 1, 2012

Dr. Thiel is strict on attendance, but his class is excellent. He is fair and does his best to clarify any issue you may have with the material. He is a honest man and I was lucky to have him as a teacher. He also helped me in my Calc I class. His class requires effort to pass with an A or B unless you already know the material. Notes are provided.

2.0
4.0
ECN211
Oct 18, 2012

Super nice guy, super challenging class. Had no interest in this subject beforehand&still have no interest. Means well but has an accent that is sometimes hard to understand&doesn't know really how to describe things in a relatable way. Attendence mandatory, book is not (Never used it) BUT the studyguide book is helpful. Dry, boring class. STUDY!

5.0
4.0
ECON100
Nov 13, 2012

Took this class before I went to a university. Much better bang for your buck with this class and more importantly this professor.

5.0
5.0
ECN211
Dec 12, 2012

Dr. Thiel is an awesome teacher. The class is challenging, but he gives all the notes. You just have to put in the time and study them. He is very helpfull, if you need help ask! If you want to actually learn Economics Thiel is your man.

5.0
4.0
GBS220
Jan 3, 2013

Dr. Thiel is one of the best instructors I've had. I've taken 3 classes with him. His classes require hard work, but he is very helpful n knowledgeable. Be sure to ask him questions during the lecture before u r lost/behind; even though he lectures fast, he does pause and answer. See him in his office if u need; he is really willing to help.

4.0
2.0
ECN211
Mar 4, 2013

His classes are very easy to understand and follow. Its the tests. If you're not a critical thinker, you won't understand his tests at all. I use the study guide he told us to use and even then, I still can't understand some of the questions on the tests. You really have to think about the questions or you'll fail miserably.

4.0
5.0
ECN211
Mar 27, 2013

Textbook is not required at all. However, I used it to change up how I studied for the tests. The class is so boring so I basically retaught myself the material from the book. He is a nice guy but sometimes makes liberal comments. Having the notes given to us was awesome though!

5.0
3.0
ECN211212
May 14, 2013

Best Professor I have had, very interesting classs Note are provided! You MUST attend class to do well. Test involve alot of critical thinking. Dr. Thiel will challenge you, but he's by far one of the best. Always provides a worldly perspective. A can come off as a little liberal but politics aside he tells it like it is.

4.0
4.0
ECN21111679
Jul 14, 2013

I really enjoyed this class. My best recommendations for passing would be to listen well in class, attend every class and study well. You won't need the book, so don't bother buying it. He is a stickler on attendance, so plan on going to every class. If you can't handle a fast-paced class, this professor isn't for you.

5.0
4.0
ECN211
Nov 25, 2013

Dr. Thiel is a great professor! I would recommend him if you need to fill your economics requirements. He has a lot of education, and worldly experience. It is not necessary to purchase the text in his class! He distributes notes already printed and the tests are based solely on those! He does have an accent though!

3.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: B+
Dec 10, 2013

No homework involved. Which can be a disadvantage if you end up doing miserable on the tests. The tests are very challenging. He lectures a lot which can be boring if you are more of an interactive learner. Nice guy, but his teaching style is not for everyone. No homework, no extra credit. I wouldn't take a class with him again.

5.0
3.0
ECN211212
Dec 11, 2013

Great professor! Kind of hard but he's a nice guy.

5.0
4.0
ECN211212
Dec 12, 2013

Dr. Thiel is an excellent economics professor. He cares about each students success, and makes himself readily available to assist students if they have questions. No need to buy a book, he provides all notes. He even left campus to change a student's tire one time so she wouldn't be late to the test! There is a cumulative final, be prepared...

4.0
5.0
ECON211
Feb 24, 2014

VERY DIFFICULT CLASS, HIS TESTS ARE NOT EASY AT ALL. VERY VERY DIFFICULT IN TESTS. BUT HE IS A GREAT INSTRUCTOR.

2.0
4.0
ECN212
Mar 19, 2014

strictly talking about the class, DO NOT TAKE IT. its purely lecture, you do not interact or have homework. every week there is a quiz that is impossible to pass. his lectures are hard to follow, there is no study guide for the quizzes. i get straight A's but this is the one class i had to drop.

1.0
5.0
GBS220
May 6, 2014

GBS-220, math intensive and unnecessarily discouraging elective. Focus is completing an extraneous amount of material. Unrealistic time expectations for heavily weighted exams(48%), all multi-step math problems. Tries to teach the material exactly like Econ but fails because its completely unrelated content. Truly a disservice to business majors.

5.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: C
May 8, 2014

Dr. Thiel is a very hard professor but he is always more than willing to help. His class is all lecture but if you ask a lot of questions you will be fine. Be prepared for a test every week. No homework. As long as you are willing to study you will do just fine. Dr. Thiel is a great professor.

5.0
3.0
ECN211
Oct 28, 2014

I'm only going to list facts 1. He is a foreigner with virtually no accent. You can understand him when he talks 2. Being a foreigner , he has no political agenda whatsoever. a plus for an econ class 3. Econ is boring but every once in a while he says something that gets the whole class laughing. 4. tips on passing. READ THE NEWS!

5.0
5.0
ECN211
Jan 13, 2015

Very kind and knowledgable instructor. Defiantly take his Econ class and plan to study hard.

5.0
3.0
ECN211
Grade: A+
Apr 1, 2015

I had Mr. Thiel for both Micro and Macro. He is a really good instructor, offers tons of help, and always is available for office hours. His grading scale isn't like the usual, 87-100% is an A and so on, Tests once a week, pretty much the notes and discussion in class. I would recommend taking him for both classes. End of the day, great professor.

2.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: D
Apr 21, 2015

Do not take this class or this professor!!!! So many drop the class it's crazy; I've never had that in a class before. He's terrible at explaining things and doesn't try to give better explanations even if you ask him to. BTW DON'T expect extra credit; there is none.

4.0
4.0
ECN2120004
May 25, 2015

Lol at the guy who thinks Dr. Thiel makes liberal comments; I thought he made conservative comments. He's not a partisan teacher, he's an economist. He teaches as a lecturer, there is no homework, but credit is gained through weekly quizzes that you will not pass if you missed the lecture for. My only complaint is that he can talk very quietly.

2.0
3.0
ECN212
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
May 27, 2015

He's a nice guy with good intentions. He's also very straightforward with what he wants from the class. On the contrary the way his tests are worded are very confusing and tricky, and the only grade, and his lectures are VERY boring. To ask a question is pointless, because he will tell you, your not paying enough attention. A lot of people dropped.

5.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: Not sure yet
Sep 26, 2015

Very good professor. He explains concepts with real world situations. Expect to study as weekly tests are mostly scenario based. Understand the subject matter, don't expect to be able to just repeat it and pass. My class started at 21 students and got down to 9 students. One of the best professors I've had. Don't take if you want to just skate by.

3.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: C
Nov 5, 2015

No HW or extra credit. Didn't use book once. Weekly quizzes on only previous class and then an accumulative final. There is no memorizing, you must understand the material to do well on quizzes. All situational questions. I suggest not missing a single class. He speaks quietly. Tough class! Wish I had gone with another teacher.

5.0
3.0
ECN212
Grade: A
Dec 2, 2015

One of the best professors I have had. I have taken him for ECN 211/212 and GBS 221. He is always there to help. You will succeeded in his classes if you are a motivated student and actually care about learning the material.

5.0
3.0
GBS220
Grade: B
Dec 2, 2015

He knows his stuff! GBS 220 is a hard class, especially with no prior calculus. I would recommend taking brief calc before this class, though I didn't. He is very helpful and if you go see him during office hours you will have a completely new perspective on math and the world!

4.0
2.0
ECN211
Grade: A+
Dec 10, 2015

This professor is not for everyone but I enjoyed having him as a teacher. Your grade is strictly based on your test scores which I love because there is no homework. Boring lectures if you aren't into econ. All you have to do is show up to class, study, and do good on the test. Every test I studied for 30 minutes before the test and got a 90%-100%

3.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: D
Dec 20, 2015

Awful teacher, awful class. Make sure you have specific questions during office hours or he won't help you (ridiculous; I know). My tip: take the class online through rio salado if you want an A.

2.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: C-
Dec 21, 2015

You have a test each week based on last weeks lecture material. Only 200 points to be earned the whole semester and every point is from the weekly tests. I studied for hours before tests and still didn't get a good grade. The questions are tricky and worded in a very strange way. He lectures for the whole hour every class, twice a week. Boring

1.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Jul 13, 2016
Wouldn't take again

I just moved to the area and had no idea what I was getting myself into, if i knew I wouldn't be here typing this. Safe to say its my first class I had to drop. His tests were tricky, you had to reread them multiple times to understand a glimpse of it. You only have about 12 minutes to finish. If you like lectures and tests go for it. If not don't.

4.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 13, 2016
Would take again

Not sure why he has such bad reviews! After reading all the reviews I was pretty nervous to start his class .To my surprise he is great .He hands out his own lecture notes that way you can listen to his lecture and not worry about writing everything. He mentions to buy the study guide it s very helpful.!The material is not easy but not impossible

Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
3.0
ECN212
Grade: A+
Mar 5, 2017
Would take again

Great lecturer, enjoyed questions provided he led the discussion. Tardiness punished effectively as there was a (10 q?) test every week at exactly the start of class. Notes/attentiveness necessary along with studying to pass tests as they were highly specific to lecture material. Cumulative final and tough, but an A is possible with studying.

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
2.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: C
May 10, 2017
Wouldn't take again

His lectures are extremely boring. And if you ask questions he'll simply tell you to pay closer attention. I would study for hours on end and still got C's and D's on his quizzes. He will also start the test exactly at the start of class, or sometimes five minutes before class actually starts.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
1.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: B
May 14, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He may have a PHD in economics, but not in teaching it. The way he runs his class is very inefficient because he has only weekly quizzes and final. His quizzes are painfully difficult and doesn't give you enough time. Studying for hours doesn't help at all on quizzes. His boring notes make more sense than his own explanations. It's a GPA nightmare!

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
4.0
2.0
ECN211
Grade: A
Nov 7, 2017
Would take again

If you struggle with economics, do not take his class. I see students regularly struggling, and it looks really unpleasant. If you are like me and economics is pretty easy for you, this is the class for you, without a doubt. There is no homework, only really simple quizzes every week. It's a RIDICULOUSLY easy A if you have a grasp on the material.

Gives good feedback
Caring
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: B
Jan 17, 2019
Would take again

Thiel is very strict on attendance, which is taken right at the beginning of class and at the end. You are allowed a decent amount of half absences, but if you're not careful they will add up. There's a test every week on the material from the prior week, and drops the lowest grade. The final is cumulative and there is no homework.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
TEST HEAVY
5.0
4.0
ECN211
Feb 25, 2019
Would take again

I am a 1st semster student and Dr Thiel has really helped me set a good pace and understanding for what college is like. Its important to study a little bit throughout the week in order for the information to stick. With his testing structure, you have a test every Tuesday and that helps motivate students to study, retain the information n apply it

Gives good feedback
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: C+
May 8, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This class is very hard so I will give him the credit of teaching it, however his teaching style isnt the best. He lectures the entire class which lacks engagement of students. He also gives a quiz every week that are very hard and must be completed within the first twenty minutes of class, then lectures the rest of the hour.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
4.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: A
May 9, 2019
Would take again

This class is not easy and he tells you that at the beginning. But since this is a really hard class I think he teaches it well, he has good analogys to compare things too and id always think back to them when I was taking the quizzes. You will have a quiz and the beginning of every week which is kind of a bummer, but no homework. I liked him.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
4.0
4.0
ECN212
Grade: B
May 10, 2019
Would take again

The subject is very hard and there is a ton of information that needs to be covered. Thiel uses the entire time for lecture, so be prepared to take notes. He heavily encourages students to use office hours for questions. No homework, but there is a quiz every week and the final is about a fourth of your grade.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
ECN211
Grade: A
May 11, 2019
Would take again

I greatly enjoyed his class. The course required some effort, but that's to be expected. There is a lot of information to cover so the lectures are important. His perspective on the U.S. economy was very unique and encouraged me to think about things in a new way. Great teacher.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: B-
Aug 15, 2019
Would take again

Great professor, conveys even the toughest of principles gracefully and with repetition. He leaves all the decisions up to you in regards to whether or not you would like to do your homework (do the homework) and only grades weekly quizzes. Its not an easy class, however his grading system is very forgiving and is rewarding if you do the work.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Amazing lectures
1.0
5.0
GBS221
Grade: C
Dec 13, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Do not take Stats with him. For every test we took in class we had to take one online too at home. The online tests were timed and had far too many questions which had me scrambling to even finish them. His lectures were all powerpoints and many of his examples had mistakes which just added to the confusion of an already difficult class. TURN BACK

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: Rather not say
May 13, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Professor Thiel is a nice guy, but I wouldn't suggest taking this class unless you already know a decent amount of Economics and don't mind taking a quiz every week. He only allows 15-20 min at the beginning of class to take it. Lectures the entire time. No homework, but that means you must do well on quizzes to maintain grade. Quizzes are hard.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: A
May 22, 2020
Would take again

I think he is a great professor. Yes, you have to work hard for your grade, his class is NOT easy. But if you pay attention and study hard, then an A is definitely possible. I really learned so much in his class. Nice guy and gives good lectures. Your whole grade is just weekly tests and a cumulative final. Attendance is mandatory.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
4.0
5.0
ECN211
Oct 4, 2020
Would take again

I took ECN211 with Dr. Thiel online. Lets just say this was definitely my most difficult class this semester. You have to work for your grade, make sure you throughly study the material and ask questions if you dont understand. We had homework and quiz grades weekly. Doable class just takes hard work.

Amazing lectures
Accessible outside class
3.0
5.0
ECN211
Nov 14, 2020
Wouldn't take again

If you want to maintain a high GPA, dont take this class. He is very knowledgeable in Economics but too difficult for a student to comprehend his class. His quizzes and exams are super duper difficult although he gives extra points. This class requires a lot of hard work and understanding!

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
2.0
ECN211
Grade: A
Nov 28, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Doesn't provide full lectures online but his notes are good. Still, class averaged <70% on the first two exams and he added 10% to everyone's grade on the first one, which sabotages them--the test wasn't that difficult, they just bombed it. Reported me to the Orwellian-renamed 'CARE' team for challenging him on material, as bad actors do.

5.0
4.0
ECN212
Grade: B
Jan 25, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Thiel is a great professor!! Yes, Microeconimics can be a hard class but he makes it very interesting and easy to understand with his videos/lectures. He is very knowledgeable and is always available if you need help.

Amazing lectures
Caring
EXTRA CREDIT
5.0
4.0
ECN212
Grade: B
Jun 1, 2021
Would take again

This class was pretty difficult in my opinion, even with the online format. There was a PowerPoint every week that took me a while to get through with his lectures. All his online tests and quizzes are timed except for the homework quizzes. He is a great person, but his class requires much effort to pass. I do not regret taking it.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
ECN112
Jun 19, 2021
Wouldn't take again

This professor uses the sink or swim mentality. Not good for people who struggle to understand the concept by themselves. Every class is basically a lecture even after a test. I dont recommend this professor because I took this class with another teacher and passed with no problems at all.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Beware of pop quizzes
Lecture heavy
3.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: C
Dec 9, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Mainly lecture, after each module you have a homework and then a quiz to take. Once you complete the modules for that section you have the test. His test and quiz are mainly select all that apply and fill in the blank , for me personally I hate those types of questions. Your grade is also mainly affected by the test scores.

Test heavy
Caring
4.0
5.0
ECN212
Grade: C
May 3, 2022

The class was difficult to learn because there was so much material thrown at you. The tests were basically your whole grade. Lots of HW and quizzes. He's a good teacher it is just hard material.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
2.0
ECN211
Grade: B+
May 11, 2022
Would take again

really good teaching abilities and very friendly in his teaching approach, material is covered in prefect timing.

2.0
4.0
ECN212
Grade: F
May 22, 2022

Tough subject and he didn't make it easy. Would not recommend unless you attend AND take really good notes.

Tough grader
1.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: D+
Jun 8, 2022

His tests were extremely difficult; The homework often had nothing to do with the following exams. If you decide to do his study guides no correct answers are given so studying was basically a shot in the dark. I was marked tardy on multiple occasions for arriving to class exactly on time because he passed out the attendance sheet before it started

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
GBS220
Grade: C
Jul 28, 2022
Would take again

I had another Professor for GBS 220 and Dr. Thiel helped me with my homework for free and explained everything I needed to do. He is always ready to give time to anyone even if you are not taking his class. I have had other professors for economics and I really think you are doing yourself a disservice to not learn from him.

Inspirational
Caring
Respected
2.0
5.0
ECN211212
Grade: B
Oct 27, 2022

Econ is a challenging subject for me in general, however the prof didn't make it that much easier to understand. I took this class both online and then in person, thinking it would be easier. I didn't ultimately feel like the in person lectures benefitted me any more. Teacher has good intentions but the exams are very challenging.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: A
Jan 29, 2024

Worst experience thus far, finishing my associates this semester. Tests are a large portion of your grade, very short with short time limits, and he phrases questions as vaguely and confusingly as possible, often going against real world examples. On top of this, found multiple errors on tests, which he did reward me points for once brought up.

Tough grader
Test heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
5.0
ECN211
Grade: B+
Jun 13, 2024
Would take again

Good teacher with clear expectations and online classroom. A tough and dense subject, but his lectures were great. Tests are your entire grade, even homework in which you get two tries. No padding assignments and the questions are not easy. Reasonably tight time limit. One complaint is questions are often a little unfair. Good but tough class.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
ECN211
Grade: B
Dec 16, 2024

The class is tough, but the professor is knowledgeable. Tests are a significant portion of the grade and can be tricky. Use Unstuck ai and the free textbook to stay on top of the material and you'll do well.

5.0
3.0
ECN111
Grade: B+
Jan 3, 2025
Would take again

I don't get the negative feedback, I loved professor Thiel. He's a great understanding guy, and I am planning on taking 211 with him this semester. Professor Thiel, if you're reading this, keep doing what you are doing.

Gives good feedback
Caring
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

88%

Textbook Required

79%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B-

95% confidence
Based on 36 grades
Most common grades:
B (8)
C (7)
A (7)
Grade Distribution
A(10)B(9)C(9)D(5)F(1)A-/B+(4)
Based on 41 reported grades
B: 8
C: 7
A: 7
B+: 4
Common Tags
Test heavy (16)
Skip class? You won't pass. (12)
Lecture heavy (12)
Amazing lectures (5)
Caring (5)
Tough grader (5)
TEST HEAVY (3)
Gives good feedback (3)
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