3.1
Quality2.9
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake101
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
101
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
101 total ratings5
16
4
32
3
29
2
13
1
11
What Students Say
“Exams are very similar to the practices she posts”
ECON0100 - 4.0 rating“She's a nice lady, but her teaching is just OK”
ECON0100 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
22%
Textbook Required
93%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.10 avg changeRatings by Course
0010
5.0
(1)ECONMETR
5.0
(1)ECON1000
5.0
(1)ECON0160
5.0
(1)MICTOECON
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
100ECON
5.0
SOC100
5.0
ECON0300
5.0
ECONMIRC
5.0
0010
4.0
Reviews (99)
No Comments
Worst class ever.
had trouble with exams, but she was a pretty good teacher
tough exams but awesome powerpoint slides
not a very good teacher
No Comments
No Comments
taught right in line with the book. study and do her hw sheets and you'll be fine. class is pretty boring though
boring class...she laughs at herself?? thats the only entertaining part! she rambles on too much and is not clear! quizzes arent bad, but tests are killer! TRY AND STAY AWAY THROUGH THE SEM!
LOVE when the tests are absolutely nothing like the homeworks, sample quizzes, or notes. Doesn't help when the TA's know absolutely ramble on about nothing that you are asking them.
power points on website- good idea; the fact that she doesn't teach- bad idea; there wasn't a need for a curve on the midterm but the tests are really boring and there's no pt in going to lecture, just print out the slides
worst teacher ever, tests are hard and quizzes are never on what we learned, AVOID HER AT ALL COSTS!
Pretty straightforward. Microeconomics isn't the most interesting class.
She's nice but how can such a ditz be the head of econ?????? We may never know
No Comments
No Comments
New way she did the course this year... Everything is done over the internet except for tests and recitations. No need to go to lecture bc it is straight from the book. Laughs a lot during class and pretty ditzy but i enjoy the class. would recommend this if you want an easy A.
She dumbs everything down in class, and teaches like the students are all 10 years old. Homework is online and easy, but is very different than the way she teaches. I learn more in my recitation than I do in the class itself.
The class is boring and the tests are hard. Read the book and you still won't do good on the test. Homework every week is annoying but helps your grade.
what a bad teacher...she reads her lecture from notes and theres absolutely no transition between concepts...so basically its all jibberish. most of the time i'm like "what the hell is she talking about?" AVOID THIS PROF.
Her lectures are very boring and unhelpful. The homework has to be done online because she is too lazy to grade it herself. The homework also has nothing to do with the tests, which are difficult. Avoid her.
most of her examples are based on beer, what else could you want.
really bad at presenting concepts and often really confusing... i hated the class
Expect to learn 90% of the material outside of class. Cassing misses the big picture sometiems and doesn't explain things well others. Tests are impossible. Very helpful and willing to help you if you go to office hours. A little boring
This class was a joke. The lectures were pretty much pointless, but the recitations were really helpful because the TA's actually explained the concepts. It seemed to me like Cassing just breezed through an outline of our coursework.
The lectures were so boring that I almost fell asleep in every single one. I hated going to that class, she never explained anything clearly. The recitations did help a little, but the class was still hard. She seems like a nice lady though.
It takes a while to understand what cassing is looking for, but overall she is fair and offers ways to keep your grade high. Make sure to learn and understand the concepts early b/c the course gets easier throughout the term.
Wonderful teacher
This class was a breeze, I didn't have to try that hard and aced the class. Economics can be tedious and boring at times but I enjoyed Shirley's teaching style. She was very pleasant and kept my attention most of the time.
Great class gone bad. Bad style of teaching and sometimes unclear exams
I thought her lectures were helpful. She makes concepts somewhat easy to grasp, and sticks to really simple examples. Exams and quizzes are a little tricky at first, but they're easy to get the hang of. I've definitely had worse professors. Overall, she's not bad and seems to really enjoy teaching.
She get's confused while explaining ideas. You leave lecture feeling very confused about what was just taught. She's not very good at clarifying ideas. She keeps lecture notes online, which is very helpful. Always print them before going to class so you can focus on what she is saying and not worry about copying notes.
Professor Shirley Cassing is one of the best at Pitt Econ.
Don't expect to learn much applicable economics from Professor Cassing. If you already understand a little about economics, class should be a breeze. If you don't, however, you might get confused as a lot of her examples are not very clear. All notes posted online. No need to buy textbook.
If you've taken Econ in high school, you'll be fine. Don't expect to learn anything new from Cassing; she seems surprised at what "explanations" come out of her mouth. Tests are way too hard for the material. TA's don't speak English, but Yong Ju Lee is awesome. She does curve well at the end of the term, though.
I had never had an economics class before, but she was so clear, organized, and straight-forward that I never felt disadvantaged. I did very little work outside the class - maybe studied for a few hours the nights before the tests - but still did very well. Just pay attention in lectures, and she will teach you exactly what you need to know.
Exams are inordinately difficult and involved. On more than one occassion I've come across Q's pertaining to info that I just can't find in the notes. Cassing was very poor at "explaining concepts. I had Econ in HS (and was captain of an econ challenge team that competed in states) and I struggled all semester to maintain a C average.
Easiest class I've ever taken at Pitt. Got an A and I barely ever studied or did any work outside of class. All you have to do is pay attention in lectures and take good notes, which is difficult becuase the lectures are in a giant auditorium with 200 other students. But if you pay attention, you'll succeed.
Terrible Terrible Terrible class. At the final I barely could do half the things she just was not a good teacher at all. Stay far away if possible!
No Comments
nice person, tests arent hard if you studied...however i couldnt follow her speech in class somehow = =......anyway, i would definitely recommend to choose her as your professor
As someone else mentioned, don't expect to learn much during lectures. The tests require in depth knowledge that can only be obtained by reading the book. An A is very obtainable, just don't put too much weight on the lectures.
clear teacher, take good notes on what she says, not just what she writes. notes are easy to follow, u can see a limited version of them online, read the book, do homework for rec can hand it in with a group. tests are hard but you have to read the book. if you go to most classes you will do fine. i only got a B b/c i forgot to write a paper.
Class isn't the most exciting but not hard either. Homework turned in every week in recitation but can be done with a group. Tests need to be studied for but aren't hard. I went to lecture, never read the book, and still got an A.
Friendly, though anything but interesting or overly-personable. She also tends to laugh for no apparent reason, almost nervously. Other than those little quirks, she's not a bad professor, but don't plan on getting an easy grade in the class unless you're really naturally good with the topic at hand.
I had her for intro to micro. I thought she was a really good teacher. She has really cute clothes too. I never felt in over my head. If you read the book along with going to class you'll get an A or B. The final is super easy.
pretty boring and her mannerisms bothered me. tests were semi-difficult. class/recitation never mandatory but recitations helped. 3 tests, 5 quizzes (given in class) and a "paper" (no required hw). for a large intro class i'd take her
lecture notes dont help for the test. she does not teach you anything beyond the basics. ta's are very helpful. tests are faily difficult compared to lecture notes. harder than macro for sure!
Don't go to class. Just read the book and study the practice tests. She uses off-the-wall semantics in wording test questions to trip up students. She has an annoying nervous laughter that happens every two minutes minimum.
This class is BORING. For the majority of the time, the lectures are straight from the book, so use your own discretion as to whether or not you want to come - even the homework problems are explained in the book. I managed B's coming once a week.
she really does not do anything thats helpful
Easy intro level class. Three exams, and weekly homework done on the computer. Professor is very knowledgeable but always seems nervous. Never read the book, and only used class notes and homework to study for exams. TA's were very helpful and always ran reviews.
I guess most those who rated her negatively are business majors. Real intellectuals should have absolutely no problem with her micro class. She presents everything that is on the tests during lecture, and her Power Point slides are great. Homework is tougher than the final, which is tougher than the midterms. All are relatively easy.
I had her for Micro and have to say she isn't the best teacher but her class is by no means impossible. I kept up with the reading in the beginning and did great but then I slacked off a bit and realized that reading the book really does help... ALOT. She gives you old exams/practice exams, which are really useful.
You have two choices: go to the class or read the book. You do not necessary do both. I recommend you to go to the class, because she explains almost everything in the test. Do your homework and you will be fine. You do not need to buy the very exact edition of the textbook, most of the ideas are the same, plus shedo not use it often.
Never went to class...just read the chapters on my own...which was good enough for the weekly quizzes....but still not great for the tests...the test questions were tricky sometimes....but other than that the class was not that bad...
She is a pretty decent professor. She uses clear examples to explain her points but when she starts doing graphs it can get confusing. The class itself isn't too hard but the final is unbearable, so make sure to study for it way ahead of time. I never went to her office hours but she seemed very willing to answer any questions.
i honestly can't focus in this class. she rambles on and on and at times it is nearly impossible to follow her. i have used my notes, her slides and the book but still can't seem to do as good as i'd like. i honestly learn more in recitation, but she hardly speaks english. she is not a good teacher.
For people who are saying it wasn't that bad, you are probably getting C's... this class is definitely a B class with or without reading the book (which I didnt) DO NOT BUY THE BOOK! -She somehow finds a way to put me to sleep during lectures, and only reads off the slides- tests are pretty tricky... good luck.
Easy class, if you read the books and do the homework it is a really easy A-/A
I wasnt a big fan of her lecture style so i stopped going and just read the book. Tests are pretty easy so an A is realistic for anyone who isnt **** when they take them.
Could be a lot better overall!
Her lectures are a little boring, but she tries to cover the things on the tests. You need to have the book to get good grades on the homework because she puts stuff on there that isn't in lecture. Reviewing the homeworks are a good way to prepare for the exam, and some questions are even repeated. Overall, an easy class.
Microeconomics with her is a joke. The class is so huge you get treated like a cattle in a herd. Homeworks are hellish, tests are twice as bad. Almost didn't graduate because of this****ty class. Another teacher that just assumes everyone knows as much about the subject as she does. Honestly take a sociology class instead of you can, cuz she sucks
Great professor. She knows the subject well. Tests are easy.
Lectures were a waste of time and not mandatory and also very repetitive. In order to get A's on exams you must read your textbook. The homeworks are a DRAG. Make friends with someone in the class and do homeworks together. 500 word paper is easy. Dr. Cassing is very willing to help and answers E-Mails in a timely manner.
Barely attended a lecture and got an A. Just practice the homeworks and the practice stuff she puts up and you're golden. Homework is quite difficult (20% of grade), do it with a friend in the class. Exams are pretty easy (3x25% = 75% of grade) and the paper is an easy 5% of your grade.
Lectures are very boring. She is very monotone and not effective in her examples. Homework is not bad, make a friend in the class and do it together. I would choose another professor but Cassing is aright. You won't do bad but not the easiest A.
I hate econ, but the textbook she used was great! i actually enjoyed reading it. she's very helpful - lots of office hours (O.H.) and will find a diff. time if her o.h.'s don't work. Direct and clear in her lectures - not mandatory (neither are rec.) but recommended. TAKE HER!!
She was a really boring teacher, but made sense. This class was not hard, i but no effort into this class and got a C, so if you put a little effort in you will get an A. Her tests where weird. The homeworks helped. You should do them! Most poeple dont go to lecture but i am sure it would help. If you go to lecture dont buy the book!
She's a nice lady, but her teaching is just OK. She reads off of her powerpoints and later posts them online. Honestly, I taught myself everything by reading the book. The book is great. It seems like she is just reading over the topics instead of explaining them. Attendance not required. Tests could be a little tricky. Past Econ knowledge helpful.
She's a great lecturer. Can get boring but she provides the slides ahead of time. Definitely go to class because she includes a lot of extra info. You definitely need the book for homework but you don't need the most recent edition because she works with the past 2 or 3. Save the money! She's also really cool if you have tech issues w/ the homework
I would recommend taking Cassing if you can. Of the classes I attended she explained concepts pretty well and was clear about what was important. Her exams were fair and pretty easy. If you want to do well on the exams you need to read the textbook. I opted out of the final because i had an A.
Cassing is great. Lectures can definitely get boring but are very useful... you learn a lot by just going to class. The text is very readable and matches well with her lectures and slides that she provides. She makes the subject pretty manageable. I definitely recommend her
If this class isnt mandatory for you, probably shouldnt take it. Requires a lot of work and tests are not easy.
I kind of hated this class. I had to take it but it's really boring. Most of the time I just used the notes online. Lectures were essentially the same thing. She's a sweet lady but nothing about this class was interesting to me. With a boring topic I feel like you need an energetic teacher to grab your attention and she is far from that.
Take. Someone. Else. Her lectures are unclear and she fidgets so much and talks so low you are too distracted to get anything out of lecture. RECITATIONS ARE HORRIBLE. My mistake was going to all lectures rather than reading the textbook and I got a C+. Read book, look over her ppts you'll be fine.
Great teacher. EXTREMELY BORING, but if you do the homework, tests should be not hard. very fair, tests you on basic concepts and things you should know if you studied; doesnt test on absurd things. I went to most classes and got an A. Could probably skip more and be fine. I DO RECOMMEND.
Mediocre Class, As an Econ major I wouldn't take her for any advanced classes simply because she isn't the most enthralling or enthusiastic teacher. But she is fine for an introduction class. Read slides and the textbook after class.
Mediocre Class, As an Econ major I wouldn't take her for any advanced classes simply because she isn't the most enthralling or enthusiastic teacher. But she is fine for an introduction class. Read slides and the textbook after class, and turning up to lectures is recommended but no need for the recitation
Really nice. Helps you if you go to her office hours and show some interest, but her lectures are extremely boring and the recitations by her TAs are torturous. I didn't exactly like economics but I don't think that affected my impression of her. You NEED to read the textbook- her lectures are basically a supplement to the slides in class.
Material is easy and intro level appropriate. Cassing tries to highlight important things and give examples of test questions and what won't be on the tests. You wont miss much by skipping class. Recitation is extremely helpful. Lecture is extremely boring. Weekly homework is assigned but nothing too tedious. An easy A
Cannot believe these comments. Lecture is totally unnecessary; recitation is not mandatory. Maybe went to class 5 times and got an A. Do your hw instead of going to class, study for exams, and you will get an A. Class was a total joke.
Took shirley for micro. Nice lady, easy tests if you attend class, read book, and enjoy econ. Don't take for fun because not fun. take with a friend for help online homework!
Can't say enough nice things about her. Sweetest lady in the world. Very understanding and helpful. Assignments are fairly open ended because she wants you to study a topic you're interested in, and actually learn the material. Generous grader. Easy to understand, but class is a little slow at times. I would take her for every class if I could.
Not a business major, took it to fill a gen ed. Went to class at first then skipped a few afterwards fell asleep in most of them. Read the textbook and you'll be fine, she talks about the main points from the book in lecture. TA's were great, go to the review sessions. She grades the essay assignment easily. There's e.c on the final. VERY nice lady
This class can go very well or rather poorly, depending how lazy you are. I got a D on the first exam because I hadn't had any Econ background but did well after that and finished with an A. Sweet lady, boring lectures. don't go. stay in bed and read the book instead. gives 10 extra credit questions on the final, each worth .5% of your final grade
Shirley is a sweet lady & she seems interested in teaching, but you can easily skip the lectures and just read the book - you'll get the same information either way (book clarifies a little better). Exams are very similar to the practices she posts. If you put in some effort and study, the class is easy. Definitely recommend her for micro
Although the lectures were pretty boring, I enjoyed the material in this class. She posts the lectures online so as long as you study those and read the book you'll be fine. You definitely have to study the material but it;s not hard to master. This class made me fall in love with Econ and Cassing is a great professor for an intro class
Only gives 3 exams. Both lectures and recitations are completely optional to attend. You don't even have to do the readings, just show up and pay attention like half the time, and you'll do just fine. Also, she gives weekly homework assignments and it's multiple choice online, but all the answers are on the internet somewhere. Definitely recommend.
Prof Cassing is a great lady, but her lectures can be dry and a bit confusing. I spaced out a lot but The homework end tests aren't too bad. If you are between her and the other micro professor at Pitt I'd take her. the material is more linear and easier to understand. overall not bad for a professor of a giant class.
Lectures are very boring. I attended all of them, but spaced out a lot. Recitations are VERY helpful, would definitely recommend attending. A lot of confusion in the material from lecture was cleared up very well in recitation. Weekly homework problems, but the answers are online somewhere. Exams were fairly easy and similar to the practice tests
Do not even bother going to lecture. Just read the text book instead because the examples in the text book are easier to understand than the ones she talks about in lecture. Tests are very similar to practice exams, and the final is not cumulative. Final exam has 12 MC questions each worth .33 percent of your overall grade
Dont attend lecture, she puts the lecture slides online. Read the slides along with the book. If you read the book once before the tests you can get an A
As cheerful as she is, lectures can still be pretty long. She's probably the most clear ECON0100 professor at Pitt. She assigns weekly homework and optional recitation problem sets, both of which are very helpful.
Amazing professor. Really wants you to learn.
Stay up to date with the textbook, and you will not have too much of a problem. Exams aren't the easiest, but with studying and reading the textbook once, as well as going to recitation, a B+ isn't hard at all. I've heard she is the best Micro professor.
Shirley is a nice lady and she gives a decent lecture. Her tests are fair and she gave us a final with 38 questions and 12 extra credit questions. Homework every week is pretty easy. The TA I had was a rockstar. Super helpful, super nice. I would recommend Shirley
She tries, but unfortunately she is extremely boring. Since the slides are posted on CourseWeb, there's no need to go to class (it doesn't add anything). Also, I know it's intro level Micro, but the course came off more like a high school class. I didn't learn much, but hey, easy A.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
22%
Textbook Required
93%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.10 avg changeRatings by Course
0010
5.0
(1)ECONMETR
5.0
(1)ECON1000
5.0
(1)ECON0160
5.0
(1)MICTOECON
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
100ECON
5.0
SOC100
5.0
ECON0300
5.0
ECONMIRC
5.0
0010
4.0