International Trade · Economics
Lots of trade theory, why country trade with each other
Midterm (30%) and Final (70%) - nothing else. Looks like an upside, but when almost your entire grade is based on an exam about which you know little can be risky...
Not that much reading, two midterms, final.
2 problem sets (pay attention to them) midterm and final
Decent: 5 problem sets, a midterm and final, and a group presentation (which you get very little direction on).
25% midterm - very reasonable, a quantitative question with lots of hints and some multiple-choice questions (these were problematic because you could lose 9 points on a single question, but largely fair). 40% final - similar to the midterm. Appeared almost deceptively easy (grades not in yet). Included an essay question. 25% Problem Sets - reasonable, often easy aside from a couple sticky issues. Graded on a check/check plus/check minus basis, which was very surprising. 10% participation
Pretty minimal considering it's a 4000-level course. Two problem sets. Noor is pretty flexible with the due-dates (he gave us a one-week extension for the second p-set). The midterm was difficult but nothing completely undoable. The final exam which is weighted highest was very fair and manageable. Overall, if you're looking for a fair, manageable elective that is an excellent mix between real-life applications and economic theory, I would go for Trade with Noor.
Concepts of International Trade (Ricardian Model, Specific Factors, Heckscher-Ohlin, and New Trade Policy)
As I see it now, this class was vaguely interesting and definitely provided me with some tools to understand issues of trade in the world economy. However, during the semester, I actually dreaded going to this class, as it was extremely dry (read: you will only talk about models, graphs, theory) and there was no homework (looks like an upside, but without you don't actually learn anything). The book was really good, but Findlay didn't really follow it. Actually, it was amazing how during every single class in the semester he stood in front of us, without any notes or powerpoints or anything, and just presented and explained the different models. Obviously, he is extremely intelligent and contributed much to this field - however, maybe making the class more "real" (as opposed to theoretical) or providing students with more extra-class material (homework, readings) would be a positive development. The TAs were very clear and compensated Findlay's sometimes obscure equations.
If you think this course will cover anything even remotely applicable to the real world you are absolutely wrong. Pande covers a great deal of theory, which she explains with long and painful mathematical proofs, but very little that pertains to real countries or actual situtations. She speaks extremely quickly, hopping around the room running from one end of the board to the other, scribling opaque mathematical equations which remain incomprehensible to the vast majority of the class. She repeats herself often, but in different language, so that you're left unsure of what the heck you're supposed to be writing or thinking. The surly TA does little to reduce students' confusion during optional recitations. On the upside, because it is a SIPA class, the curve is extremely generous.