Took 301 as a freshmen and really enjoyed it. I was worried I would be behind everyone in the class by taking AP prereqs instead of the UW classes, but was easy to understand what was going on. I would say that discussion was by far the most important part of the class - the TA's were very good at explaining everything.

Pretty much have to go to lectures to learn because he doesn't use a textbook, but his lectures make no sense anyway. Very few tests that make up huge portion of grade. Helpful one on one but his lectures are so confusing and all over the place, TA's basically taught the class.

Marek is a good professor and is very clear about how to succeed in his class. Attend lectures and do the problem sets. To study for tests, memorize problem sets, they are very similar.

Lectures aren't super important, but they are interesting enough. Marek is a good guy and his lectures are pretty good. Study problem sets and the exams will seem very fair.

Lectures are not recorded, never finished his lecture slides but would not review them in the next lecture (good luck with that). Problem Sets are generally much more difficult then the concept examples gone over in class which is similar to the exams. In my personal experience this has been very painful.

marek is the guy! though many of the class materials are more like the macro topics, the class is still tightly linked to financial micro. relatively fast pace with at least 8 Python and calculation problem problem sets. but he gives you the opportunity to substitute the final with a Python project which is relatively easy to manage.

You MUST go to class & discussions. If something doesn't make sense, figure it out quickly. 80% of course grade was from exams and material continuously builds off previous concepts. Write everything down - in the beginning you don't know what's important/not. Marek is super helpful in office hours and is generally available. Study Problem Sets!!

Gives no review materials for exams, but problem sets and old exams online can be helpful. His lecture notes are so confusing and unhelpful, so it is difficult if you miss lecture. Overall he is not a great professor but he could be a lot worse. Exams are curved pretty generously.

This professor sucks the fun out of economics. He is the only professor that I have ever taken that doesn't record his lectures on purpose. His lecture notes are incredibly vague, due to the fact that he doesn't label anything that he is doing. His problem sets are very inconsistent. He doesn't know that students take classes apart from economics.

Prof. Weretka was a fine professor; the class material was very difficult and combined with his constant technical difficulties, made worse. He would keep the class past lecture times, which was frustrating. However, his curves were generous. Our grades were based 20% on problem sets, 20% on MT1, 20% on MT2, and 40% on final: very stressful class!

This professor he has a bad time management. For the last 4 lectures, he didn't finish his lecture and won't finish them in the future. Also, he assigns a lot a questions in the midterm with very limited time. No students finish the exam at all. Additionally, this guy give very simply example in lectures and very vary hard homework and exams.

Go to lecture and write everything down even if you are bored, because everything you need is presented in lecture. Review past homework a day or 2 before the midterm / final, because they detail more complex versions of material presented in lecture (quasilinear examples instead of cobb douglas)... do these 2 things and you'll succeed.

He's a very fair teacher. Exam's are almost exactly the same as practice exam, but are graded tough. Homework takes about 2-3 hours per week and covers everything in class. Discussion isn't required. Would take his class again.

Marek is a good professor and knows his material, but the exams are insanely hard and his diction in class can be quite condescending. Also, the fact that there was only one midterm and then the final was really stressful. Fair grader though, fair curve, doable class but you'll suffer.

It is a second-year PhD micro theory sequence, based on papers about game theory. I found it quite inspiring, not only because of the papers covered, but his personality as well. He shows great respect and patience on you and never spares his encouragement. I appreciate him showing the punchline of Micro theory for me.

Lectures are pretty dry and homework is repetitive. He goes so slow that it can be hard to pay attention. I get the sense that he's just here for research, but he's predictable enough that you can get a good grade.

He's okay! Yes, there's lots of algebra and calculus. He goes very slowly sometimes. Problem sets can be challenging, but they prepare you well for exams. Discussion is really dull. Curve can be harsh. Text entirely optional (but a fun read!). Easy class compared to 302, but it's still a lot of work. Learn the derivations. Turn in hwk on time!

He doesn't use a book at all. His lectures and problem sets are extremely straightforward. He tells you exactly what he's going to put on the exam. If you show up for class, take half decent notes, and do the homework there's no reason you can't get a good grade. Also, discussions are a joke. He's a really smart guy that breaks down examples well.

He speaks his own language. This guy is a tough grader and you need to be on the top of your game to pass this class. Wouldn't recommend unless you are quite proficient in Economics and calculus.

Marek was the best professor I've ever had at UW. 301 is not an easy class, but he makes it incredibly interesting. Professor Weretka was a great professor, and a better friend. Would recommend him to anyone taking upper level Econ classes, he prepares you for them.

I did well because I put in a lot of work. His lectures are long and boring and he has an accent so is sometimes difficult to understand. Midterms + final consist of problems similar to problem sets. Work through problem sets w the answers to study and make sure you know how to do each problem. It will take long but tests are easy if you do this.

Marek was a solid econ professor who wants his students to succeed. However, he is hard to understand at times due to his accent. Attendance is necessary to understand slides and to do well on the exams. His tests are tough, but fair and he gives you a TON of practice questions. This class is the epitome of you get what you put in.

He's an okay professor, the lectures aren't all that helpful because they get so lost in the math or theory. The exams are straight forward and mildly predictable and he gives you plenty of practice. It can get a little tangled in algebra and memorized equations at times. Not the worst, not the best. I hope you like algebra.

Avoid him if you can. He is a terrible prof, he teaches you the most basic examples and expects so much more on hw and exams

Professor Weretka is my favorite econ professor I have had. He is extremely helpful, and gives weekly office hours where he goes through the problem sets and makes sure that everyone understands them. I found lectures very stimulating and helpful. I was initially afraid to take him because of these reviews, but ended up loving the class.

This class is basically an applied algebra class with an Econ emphasis. The math isn't hard, and the exams are straightforward and predictable, but you really don't learn anything. His teaching method sucks, his powerpoints are all scribbled on with a stylus pen, and he struggles to explain concepts. If you're taking it to fulfill a prereq, hes ok

Wow, just wow. Easily the WORST prof on campus. I mean seriously, I would rather have Dewey Finn from school of rock teach me econ. He goes through the easiest examples and plugs in 1 for all variables , but when the test comes along, I have to derive formulas that I havent even gotten to in my 500 level math class. Absolutely unreasonable.

Econ 301? More like memorize the equations and you're good. Seriously though, it's like 34 applied algebra 14 econ. I did not go to class once and got high A's on all exams simple because I did problem sets till I boofed.

Not my favorite professor. He constantly stutters and struggles with English. This leads to very confusing lectures. He also spends way too much time in lecture on things that are not on problem sets or exams. The exams are very similar to homework and there are problem sets every week that can be lengthy. Not awful, but definitely not great

He has a bit of an accent and sometimes comes off as being a bit short but his quirkiness is actually quite comical. Very clear grading criteria, go to lecture, do the problem sets--his exams are very similar and predictable. You can learn a good deal in this class and can feasibly manage an A if you put in the effort.

Weretka is honestly a pretty good professor. He holds weekly office hours and will go through every step of the homework he assigns. The class is pretty easy if you're comfortable with algebra and basic differentiation, but I guess it would be a killer otherwise.

If you value your GPA and believe in fair grading, Marek is not your guy. Virtually no economic conceptualization; it's a class in applied algebra. He has a rough grasp of the English language and is unable to expound on any concept. Exam grading is more or less arbitrary and it's impossible to win an appeal. Take 301 with someone else.

he makes econ so boring and hard to understand. The most annoying thing is that I got 6 points off because the grader assumed I got that problem right on luck not because I study hard. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever met

He's hard to understand in class, and explains things in really abstract ways when it could be done faster, and in an easier to understand way. Tests however, are pretty straightforward, and very similar to the practice exams that he provides, so using those to prepare and doing the homework should be enough to do well in the class.

I would not recommend him as a professor, but I would recommend him for whoever wants to do well in a econ class. That's because all of his homework, practice exams and study guides are 90% similar to those actual ones! Study those and you'll be fine. Overall, he is nice guy and cares about students, but not very clear in lectures sometimes.

Marek is an awesome professor. He makes it clear what is expected of students, and if you follow those expectations you will do well. Actually work out the problem sets and maybe one of the practice exams before going into the exam. Not a hard class, but certainly not easy for an econ class.

Super nice guy. He is a pretty good teacher,but he often speeds through lectures. His tests are fair, but you have to be fairly good at math to do well on them.

His accent is fine, but lectures are dry and boring. PowerPoints are useless. Homework graded on effort, ie, pointless. If you can turn off your brain and just execute without doing any actual, you know, *thinking*, then this is your guy. If you're looking for something deeper, then you will have a hard time caring and your grade will reflect that.

Yikes.

Marek's lectures were tough as he has a thick accent, but he prepares you very well for exams. His problem sets and past midterms are very similar so if you do those, it is very easy to get a good grade. Also the TA's are great.

Marek is literally the worst professor I have had during my three years at UW-Madison. He is very difficult to understand in his lectures and he seems to not know how to relay his messages to the class in a clear way. To complicate manners, if you ask a question he will most likely be confused by it and be no help at all.

Requires a lot of practice and doing a lot of problem sets. It can especially get tedious at times as there are so many things to answer in the exam. Good thing is the problem set and exams are very similar.

Marek is a very well-meaning professor. He wants his students to succeed, but the last is taught at an elevated level, very much so for UW-Madison. His problem sets are challenging but prepare you. READ THE BOOK. The class is so much easier if you do. In lecture only a few students really understood what was going on. 1st Midterm is good indicator.

Merek is a pretty good teacher but it really comes down to your TA. Go to lecture and do the problem sets but ASK if you don't understand something because it'll show up on exams. I put a lot of work in and went to office hours and got an A

Attend the lectures, do the practice problems (multiple times), and you'll be fine. Exams are closely based off of the homework and practice tests. If you put in the time and effort, your grade will show. While there is a curve, getting an A is still pretty competitive.

He was a bit hard to understand and his lectures were hard to follow at times. He did curve the class, but since it was hard to follow lecture notes it made it hard to do well on the exams, especially because they were definitely different (and harder) than expected.

While Marek may be a little tough to follow in lecture at times, he is a really good professor. All his tests are based off of old ones, all you need to do is go to lecture and DO ALL his old tests and you'll be fine

Marek is a great guy. That said, I would describe him as an above-average but not great professor. He does a pretty good job of explaining topics, but can sometimes lose students. Difficult exams, but he gives a generous curve. The class is mostly just algebra and calculations. Overall a solid econ professor and a very nice guy.

There is a difference between a nice guy and a good professor. He is a nice guy but a bad lecturer and teacher. Very disorganized and hard to understand. Material taught in class is presented VERY poorly and very different than what you will see on exams, I would avoid him if you can.

Hard lecture to follow. I found him difficult to understand and struggled to keep up with his crazy, disorganized lecture notes. He is not very put together with his material and tends to backtrack and go out of order. He is nit picky with his exams and NOT a good communicator. I do not enjoy his class and I am an economics major.

1. Attend lectures, transcribe his lectures, no textbook needed. 2. It's pretty much an arithmetic class, 90% of it are calculations. Not hard if you've done enough practice. 3. Problem sets can be hard at times, but it's the same as previous semesters' problem sets. 4. Exam questions are similar to problem sets. 5. Great, considerate guy.

I absolutely loved Marek. He was always willing to help and clarify. The material was challenging but there was a large curve. Homework was difficult, but was graded on completion. I highly recommend taking a class with him.

He makes a lot of typos but other than that he is a great teacher.

Good Professor, can be a little hard to understand at times but sometimes adds a little humor to the lectures. Don't buy the book, just study the problem sets before the tests. Material builds, so make sure you understand the first lectures. Very generous curve. I would recommend Marek for 301

This class has a lot of algebra and simple derivative problems. But if you master the early material the rest falls in place. His accent can be tough, but his enthusiasm makes up for it. Lecture is very helpful and so is discussion. HW takes a little while to do but is not hard if you go to class. Exams are very fair, and there is a generous curve.

Do not take 301 with this professor. Very confusing and makes the class way harder then it needs to be. expects that we work like grad students. By far the hardest class I have taken. The average on the last midterm was a 51%

Hard to understand. In the beginning all you hear is "dutch cheese vs french cheese". HW really hard but graded nicely. Test very hard but big curve. Hardest 301 teacher you can get.

This guy is a terrible lecturer. He says ones thing and writes another. Kind of hard to understand until you get use to it. Problems sets are hard but the grader is super easy on them. Tests are just like problem sets and he is a generous grader. I stopped going to class and improve my grade a ton. Don't buy the book, you won't ever use it.

Professor Weretka was a great professor. He's enjoyable in lecture with well organized power points that he makes available to the students. He is from Poland (I believe) so he has a bit of an accent, but nothing that prevented understanding, only added to the enjoyability of the lecture. He's also great when you need help.

Don't even buy the book. Do the problem sets. Do the past exams. TA recommendation: Dai Zusai

All you need to do is got to lectures and do the problem sets. Tests are based completely off the problem sets. Problem sets can take awhile but if you go into the TA usually they'll give you the answers. Don't get the book, never used. He's a nice teacher but sometimes he gets lost in his thoughts. He really loves the movie "The Informant!"

If you're willing to put the time in, its easy to get an a. And by time I mean I put in at least 4-6 hrs a week on problem sets. But that is the entire class and the only thing that matters for exams. Extremely helpful in office hours and wants to make sure his students understand everything. Don't bother getting the book you won't use it.

Don't even buy the textbook. Just attend the lecture, memorize everything he teaches, and do the problem sets. Then you'll be fine.

Lecture is pointless. Go to the discussion and work your butt of on the hmwks and you will do well. He even stated that only 10% or what you will learn in the class is from lecture. He is a below average professor.

I love Marek and he is one of my favorite professors here. He's extremely helpful and clear. Exams are not bad as long as you go to lectures and do homework. He's also extremely helpful if you visit him during office hours. Awesome professor!!!

He is a pretty good teacher. Tests are fair which mostly based on homework. It was not hard to get an A as you understand all the materials he taught in class.

I really enjoyed taking his class. Tests were fair mostly based on the homework problems. He was also very helpful when visited during his office hours and he answered all of my questions I had for midterms from lecture notes. He's a very nice guy who is passionate about teaching!

I don't understand where some of these comments are coming from. Homework is huge to understanding the material but he gives very similar examples on every topic in the hw in class. Tests are no harder than the hw and are usually about the difficulty of in class examples. Very nice guy and excited about teaching material.

Completely useless teacher. Tests are like nothing he teaches in class. Take with any other teacher if you can and you might actually get something out of the class. He ruined any interest I had in Econ

Lectures are pointless because he teaches extremely simple examples that don't help on tests and you can't understand him. Whole class is the homework which takes hours and you have to learn everything on your own. Tests much harder than anything he teaches in class. Take this class with a professor that actually does something to help you

He spends lecture making typos and confusing himself. THEN he goes and gives weekly homework very, very loosely based on his lectures. However, if you can master the HW, the exams will be easy.

Very fair teacher. He makes you think by yourself. He definitely gives an example during class and forces you to learn the other outcome for the homework. Very enjoyable though.

I really like Marek on a personal level. He does a great job at explaining concepts, but when it comes to applying the concepts to problems mathematically, he's terrible. He rushes through it, often has typos, and then the homework is REALLY confusing. My TA was luckily pretty good.

Really great professor. His hand writing can be bad and sometimes he is hard to understand and can be very excited. However, some of the things i learned in his class have stuck with me better than any other I've taken in economics. Problem sets are very helpful and similar to exam questions. very straightforward

good prof. his resume is amazing. He has like 6 degrees (including masters and doctorate from yale). His handwriting is terrible and he is hard to understand but he does want his students to do well. If i could, i would have his child.

One of the best teachers I have ever had at UW. He spent countless hours with me in his office going over any questions I had. Was impossible not to get an A and learn a lot about econ if you put the time in.

Best teacher I ever had - he actually cares about you learning the material - adapts lectures to students. For those people that didn't like him, you would have if you didn't sit in the back of class checking Facebook non-stop.

He is impossible to understand because he can't even understand himself. He is not a very experienced teacher and is not very clear with what he is trying to teach. He is not organized at all, makes many mistakes, and has difficult to read handwriting.

Very dedicated to teaching. Goes over all information that will be on the exams clearly. Do the problem sets and you will be great.

He rocks!

Great professor. If you don't mind typos, you'll enjoy his class.