[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:35:55.978504+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE5NDg3MjI3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1224837","instructor_name":"Ian Coxhead","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2011-12-13 14:13:52 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great Prof hard exams","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1224837","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:33:31.190857+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI4NTA3MDUz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1591520","instructor_name":"Jennifer Alix-Garcia","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2017-07-05 09:21:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"There was an incredible amount of reading for an econ class and not ALL of it is mandatory to do well. Her grading for exams was inconstant in my opinion and she was a tough grader on random assignments for seemingly no reason. Overall, she was very kind but has some room to improve as a professor. The class was very interesting in my opinion.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1591520","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:33:31.190857+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIwNjQ2MzI3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1591520","instructor_name":"Jennifer Alix-Garcia","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2012-09-16 17:17:51 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great professor! Passionate about development economics, friendly to students and extremely helpful when you ask her about homework problems. Very easy class, you only have to complete a few assignments and quizzes, no exams. I learned a lot but didn't have to spend tons of time for this class. Really tries to get her students to learn.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1591520","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:33:31.190857+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NzM3NTAw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1591520","instructor_name":"Jennifer Alix-Garcia","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2011-06-16 12:32:11 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great Prof. No exam.  Go to class. She doesnt make you buy a text book.  Very interesting.  Knows her stuff better than any teacher.  Very interesting and worth taking.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1591520","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:24:17.185308+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMTA4NDU2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1089239","instructor_name":"Laura Schechter","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2026-05-12 21:47:41 +0000 UTC","comment":"This course is set up well. She is very clear on grading expectations, and they were very fair. Attendance isn't mandatory, but there are EC opportunities based off of questions asked in lecture. She isn't super warm and fuzzy but she is a great professor. This class isn't a walk in the park, but if you put in effort, it's definitely doable. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1089239","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:24:17.185308+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNDM2Njk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1089239","instructor_name":"Laura Schechter","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2025-06-16 09:08:56 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Schechter is unconfident in front of a class room. I assume she knows the concepts, but she seems to question herself with every other sentence. It is not clear what is important to remember and what is not. Grading frequently felt arbitrary, especially on homework assignments and the exams.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1089239","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:24:17.185308+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NDczNTk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1089239","instructor_name":"Laura Schechter","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2016-05-05 01:49:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Schechter is one of the best professors at UW-Madison. She is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about development economics and wants you to learn lot about the field. I strongly suggest you take this course if you want to get a  general insight into international development and how it works.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1089239","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:24:17.185308+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzNDUyMDkw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1089239","instructor_name":"Laura Schechter","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2014-07-17 10:32:46 +0000 UTC","comment":"I would choose another professor teaching the class if i could go back. Very confusing at times, and lacks the confidence of an experienced professor at UW-Madison. Lectures are confusing. A lot of students would restate and clarify some of her answers in class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1089239","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:24:17.185308+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxODMzMzM5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1089239","instructor_name":"Laura Schechter","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2013-05-27 22:37:06 +0000 UTC","comment":"Everything you need to know for a problem set or exam is either in lecture or a specific reading.  Very nice- she makes an effort to learn everyone's names.  I was very interested in the subject and the class did a great job of covering a wide variety of issues (mincrofinance, poverty, health, etc.).","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1089239","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:24:17.185308+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxNjU2MjY3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1089239","instructor_name":"Laura Schechter","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2013-05-02 10:42:52 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very nice person and knowledgeable about economics. Great stories about time in peace corps.  However, has poor communication skills. Exams/problem sets have very ambiguous questions.  Lecture is hard to follow at times.  Overall content of course was interesting, but you will need to attend office hours regularly to clarify information.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1089239","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:24:17.185308+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE0ODYxMzM4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1089239","instructor_name":"Laura Schechter","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2008-10-10 10:25:53 +0000 UTC","comment":"She's painfully nice and super smart, and the class is pretty interesting. She's not very confident, but that will come with time, and her stories about Paraguay are always fun.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1089239","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMzk0NjU0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2025-06-02 21:49:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"Can't believe Dr. Dower has a single questionable review. He is definitely not a business type (go elsewhere for a guy in a suit with a mic doing a Tedtalk or for someone claiming he's saving the 3rd world), he is too smart for all that. He is sincere, interesting, and funny, and you won't regret taking his class, esp if you talk with him 1-on-1. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2NDI3NDAw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2022-05-31 23:37:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"Dower's lectures sound like he is mumbling things to himself. They are confusing and not well organized and he is extremely hard to hear. The lectures only loosely relate to the readings, and neither really relate to the exams. Nobody in the class had any idea what the exams would be about.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2MTIyMDQ2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2022-04-21 17:05:07 +0000 UTC","comment":"Although Paul Dower is experienced in the economics field, specifically around developing countries, his entire course structure lacks any awareness of how students operate. Lectures are a mess of text and math heavy slides (which he will breeze over without any explanation or examples), very quiet and frankly boring lecturing, and dense readings ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MDYzNzM3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2021-09-07 14:08:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"My favorite professor so far. I cant belief some reviews are negative. Dr. Dower must be the nicest economist anywhere, and probably smartest and funniest. If you struggle with some material (I did) talk to him in office hours. He will go out of his way to help you, even with thinking about ideas for project outside his class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NzUzODcx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2021-05-10 17:15:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"The course was relatively challenging for me because I am not an econ major, but I did really enjoy the content. Prof Dower is a very approachable and responsive professor, and I wish this course had been in person so I could have formed a stronger connection with him. I recommend finding other people in the class to work on the assignments with.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NjAzODAw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2021-04-22 20:59:20 +0000 UTC","comment":"Guys seriously do not take his course. There are 5 assignments to do which takes way too much time finishing it (he said in the syllabus will be 4 assignments but end up with 5 assignments), weekly group work, one group presentation, weekly quizzes, one final paper, and a final exam. By the way, 40 percent of materials were never taught in class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NDQ1NTA4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2021-03-17 05:54:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"I read reviews here before signing up and wasn't sure what I was getting into, given some good some bad. He's a good teacher, and very humble (imagine a humble economist!). Yes, he's quiet. He's also wicked smart. And funny. He shines in office hours, so get his advice on grad school or research or talk to him about his kids or dog. A good guy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzNTc0OTkz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"AAE474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2020-08-10 18:28:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"I took this class online- The professor is very boring and monotone, sometimes the lectures were confusing. Knowing Excel is a MUST for the homework sets- these take at least a few hours to complete. Have a decent understanding of statistics because he won't teach you how to do it but he'll test you on regressions. Oh- and there is a group project.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMyNDc0NjA3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2019-11-25 17:34:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"Maybe he is not the very best lecturer ever but subject is interesting and he is very smart and knows the field very well. He is the most kind professor in the department. And he likes to make joke but without a smile, so listen closely to find them!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMyMjgwMzY3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2019-10-12 04:18:25 +0000 UTC","comment":"Well hes really funny, and nice, but not everyone will get it. Goofball cool guy. Super smart.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNTc0MzYz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2019-04-11 16:21:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"Verryyyyyy boring. Super dry & monotone but cant blame him thats his personality. Expect a quiz almost every week. 2 group projects. 4 homework assignments that are very complicated and he does very little to explain them (know how to use excel). 1 midterm and one final. A lot of readings that are posted online( honestly I skimmed through most)","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwNDIxMDE5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2018-08-10 09:55:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lectures were dry and he has a quiet, monotone voice, yet didn't seem to know how to use a microphone properly. Homework assignments were confusing and felt unrelated to the material we were covering in lectures. He was often unhelpful or even unresponsive when I would email him. The material itself is interesting, but take with another professor","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwMzI5OTc3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2018-07-09 03:30:49 +0000 UTC","comment":"Good class, good prof. Quiet and seemed sort of shy at first, but super smart, really knowledgeable in his field, and funny if you're listening. Didn't provide much feedback for assignments, but I went to office hours, and he was helpful and took time advising me about class, my program, and graduate school. I hope to take another class with him.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwMTA5NjE1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2018-05-15 05:32:37 +0000 UTC","comment":"Probably the worst professor in the history of the University of Wisconsin, he's incompetent and should not be wasting students' time or money by thinking he can teach.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:12:30.969062+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5OTkzNTk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2371572","instructor_name":"Paul Dower","course_label":"ECON474","course_id":"AAE/ECON 474","course_uid":"course_955535bf63b310ab27c52534","review_date":"2018-05-05 02:50:52 +0000 UTC","comment":"In all fairness, the class was relatively easy and he provided concise study guides, however, he was quiet and incomprehensible. It was impossible to hear him in a lecture hall, where he seldom used the microphone. Even when you could hear him slightly, he was extremely monotonous, and attending lectures seemed like a waste of the $6.15 Uber fare.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2371572","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0}]