Principles of Macroeconomics covers macroeconomic measurement, aggregate demand and supply models, and fiscal and monetary policy impacts on unemployment, inflation, and growth.
The course features tough exams and extensive material. Johnson covers more content than others, while Chan provides manageable weekly quizzes and homework, though her tests require significant studying.
“Used by” includes alternatives; linked courses may have other requirements. This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.
Raw average: 4.53/5 from 314 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 4.1/5 raw quality · 4.2/5 difficulty · 18
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
David Johnson is praised for making economics engaging and caring about student success, with some calling him inspirational and a gem. Reviewers note his passion and ability to make concepts interesting, recommending him for students prioritizing education over easy grades.
Critics describe Johnson’s teaching style as unstructured, rambling, and lacking powerpoints, with tests that do not align with the textbook. These reviewers find the material boring and difficult, suggesting success requires prior economics knowledge or significant independent study.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2020: 3.54 GPA, 75.5% A/AB (n=151 letter grades); Spring 2024: 3.25 GPA, 48.8% A/AB (n=254 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.28 GPA, 52.0% A/AB (n=175 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
Raw average: 4.12/5 from 51 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 4.1/5 raw quality · 3.5/5 difficulty · 39
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Reviewers praise Stella Chan for being enthusiastic, caring, and well-organized, with clear grading and helpful office hours. They highlight her dedication to student success and ability to explain tough concepts. However, some find her lectures dry or hard to understand, and note that exams are difficult and require significant studying.
Historical reviews for Steve Rick highlight engaging lectures using real-world news and clear explanations. Reviewers note he is available and posts helpful slides, though exams feature specific questions from lecture content.
DAVID JOHNSON is recorded teaching in Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2024, Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
ELIZABETH KELLY is recorded teaching in Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2015, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
KENNETH WEST is recorded teaching in Spring 2015, Spring 2016. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
MARK COLAS is recorded teaching in Fall 2012. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
OHYUN KWON is recorded teaching in Fall 2014, Spring 2015. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
STEVEN RICK is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
WENDY EUDEY is recorded teaching in Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future
schedule.
Calendar & sections
Fall 2026
Schedule loads here as you scroll.
Section
Mode
Enrolled / capacity
Waitlist
LEC 001
Classroom Instruction
214 / 216
0
LEC 002
Classroom Instruction
216 / 216
0
DIS 303
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 306
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 301
Classroom Instruction
26 / 24
0
DIS 308
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 341
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 304
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 305
Classroom Instruction
22 / 24
0
DIS 307
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 343
Classroom Instruction
23 / 24
0
DIS 320
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 321
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 302
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 342
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 324
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 326
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 327
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 322
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 323
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 325
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 328
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 344
Classroom Instruction
18 / 24
0
LEC 003
Classroom Instruction
199 / 216
0
DIS 309
Classroom Instruction
22 / 24
0
DIS 340
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 345
Classroom Instruction
22 / 24
0
DIS 346
Classroom Instruction
22 / 24
0
DIS 347
Classroom Instruction
23 / 24
0
DIS 348
Classroom Instruction
19 / 24
0
Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.
Overall, ECON 102 is a challenging course where both David Johnson and Stella Chan are highly regarded for their dedication to student success. Students generally recommend attending office hours and utilizing provided review materials to navigate the difficult exams.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.47 GPA, 69.8% A/AB (n=722 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.09 GPA, 43.9% A/AB (n=553 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.43 GPA, 67.5% A/AB (n=713 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
The course features tough exams and extensive material. Johnson covers more content than others, while Chan provides manageable weekly quizzes and homework, though her tests require significant studying.
Students value Chan's guided notes and review sessions for exam preparation. Johnson's office hours are heavily attended, and he offers generous curves and extra credit opportunities.
Topics
Macroeconomic measurement
Aggregate demand and supply models
Fiscal and monetary policy
Unemployment, inflation, and growth
Skills
Macroeconomic measurement and modeling
Analysis of fiscal and monetary policy
Grades
Historical instructor
Fall 2026 · Projected
Before grades are released
2.792.79–3.483.48average GPA
Approximate 80% prediction interval
0.04.0
About this estimate
The course’s semester-average GPA, not an individual student’s grade. The center uses 5 same-season terms, weighted toward recent results.
The range uses the finite-sample 80th-percentile rank of absolute errors from earlier same-season forecasts. Each forecast uses only records from earlier terms. At least four forecasts are required; bounds are rounded outward and limited to 0–4. This is an empirical estimate: changing instructors or grading policies can reduce its coverage.
8 earlier forecasts · 0.14 GPA average error.
Grades over time
Through Fall 2026
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Where this course fits relative to
Latest available grades · Spring 2026 · all course levels
3.433.43GPA
Higher than 2424% of other courses
in this group.
Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range
713713letter grades
More recorded grades than 9999% of other courses in this group.
Typical course in this group: 66.066.0 letter grades.
About this comparison
1283 courses over the same term, each with at least 30
recorded letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure
of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by recorded
grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section size.
Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20 higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+. Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.
Sources & history
UW–Madison
Catalog & offerings
Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.
Catalog observation history
Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.