Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
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.Rate My Professors ↗
Actually AAE635. He cares his students and topic is necessaryRate My Professors ↗
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.Rate My Professors ↗
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 readingsRate My Professors ↗
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.Rate My Professors ↗
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.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Applied microeconomic theory focusing on duality, optimization, and computer applications for welfare analysis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2024: 3.65 GPA, 76.9% A/AB (n=26 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.70 GPA, 80.0% A/AB (n=10 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleAAE 990 is an independent research and writing course designed to complete dissertation requirements.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Examines globalization processes like trade, capital flows, and aid from the perspective of developing economies.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2025: 3.83 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=48 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | AAE 635 | Applied Microeconomic Theory |
| Fall 2026 | AAE 990 | Research and Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | AAE/INTLST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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