PLCP 3130

Easy class. You don't have to do the reading at all. The only grades are participation, three 5-page papers, and a presentation.

Great course. Love Professor Schwartz. If you have a country in particular you want to learn more about (esp about it's economic development) then definitely take this class.

Schwartz is an interesting guy, and his lectures were fast-paced, though entertaining. The man loves his internet memes and floral-pattern shirts. This semester the grading was 25% discussion participation, 52% two papers (culminating to one large paper), 20% exam (3/4-term, not a midterm), and 3% for filling out a course eval.

Discussion section and the "midterm" weren't difficult, and many people didn't do the readings, as evidenced by the very low test scores and lack of participation. The readings WERE numerous, but fairly easy. The paper, which is half the course's grade, was fairly easy, though long.

I'd recommend this class to anyone. The concepts are fairly easy, Schwartz is pretty funny, and if you just understand the general themes of the readings, you should easily get an A.

I love professors Schwartz (took 3 classes from him) but a lot of people have problems with him because of extremely heavy amount of reading (probably 150-200 pgs each week?). He is funny in sarcastic?/cool? way. So some people love him or hate him. I honestly read probably maximum 3 articles entire semester but I went to discussion session and did study group and ended the class with A. (Lecture has nothing to do with midterm). No final. There is a 16-pg paper but if you are third year, this shouldn't be too hard.