ECON 4559

Competitive Strategy was easily one of the better classes I took UVA. Moore is a terrific professor, and incredibly fair with his grading practices. I now work in consulting, and I can't tell you how often relevant stuff comes up either in office discussion or actual work that Professor Moore taught in this course.

What you have in this class is a welcome departure from the normal 4000 level theory-based economics courses. Everything in this course is about theory and subsequent application. If you like business or hope to be a strategy consultant or are an aspiring MBA, TAKE THIS CLASS! I sincerely hope it's offered next spring. Strategy mixed with economics is a way of thinking, and you'll know very quickly whether or not this class is for you. Essentially, there is one midterm, a final, twelve case studies, and participation that make up your grade. Professor Moore is brilliant (check out his firm "Charlottesville Partners" for more info on him) and a genuinely great person. He taught a very similar (although easier, according to him) introduction to strategy course at Darden while teaching this one to the undergrads. With intuitive subjects like added value, really this class is all about common sense that you never knew you knew. When econ is applied to business that's where I thrive, and I really wish they would offer more classes like this one in the economics department. Taking Competitive Strategy was one of the best course decisions I've made at UVA.