Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
While the class was very rigorous and time-consuming, I do think that the stress placed on us was appropriate for the Honors level. Alder is a great guy, and he will definitely help you out if you go to his study sessions/office hours. That being said, if you're not serious about economics you should probably just take Econ 302.Rate My Professors ↗
Lectures have little to do with exam material, but explain real-world connections well. Use textbook/homework to review for exams, questions are similar. Exam averages are very low. Very smart guy but you have to learn a lot of material by yourself. Can drop lowest midterm which is nice. Homework is very difficult but similar to exam question type.Rate My Professors ↗
This is definitely a hard class, and I usually find macro easy. The math was confusing, and he doesn't really go over the question-types in the HW - which has fill in the blanks, with a margin of error of 0.1% usually. Exams were also hard, and averages were very low (like 60% for all 3 midterms).Rate My Professors ↗
Don't take a class with this guy. Takes attendance in class but you learn absolutely nothing. Guy goes on random tangent and covers stuff that you will not have to know. Homework's are insanely difficult and exams have an average grades in the 60s. Teacher is very pretentious and not helpful. Get ready to learn everything on your own.Rate My Professors ↗
I had to review mid-semester because it's ridiculous how hard the professor makes this class. The content isn't too difficult, but Professor Alder assigns impossible homework (20% of your grade), and the 3 midterm averages are all Fs. The LOWEST midterm score I got in 301 was a 93%, and I can't score above a 75% in this class. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!Rate My Professors ↗
By far the hardest class/prof I've taken at UW, and it won't get worse than this. Very difficult homework, takes attendance at lecture and discussion, exam time management is BRUTAL (exam median is F). Don't take this class if you have a busy course schedule. He's a nice guy but brutal classRate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Intermediate macroeconomic theory covering national income determination, savings, consumption, investment, and their relation to employment, inflation, and stabilization.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Simeon Alder
Simeon Alder gave clear explanations, fair tests, and interesting lectures, according to some students.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Advanced treatment of intermediate macroeconomic theory using a mathematical approach to national income, savings, consumption, investment, employment, inflation, and stabilization.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Simeon Alder
Simeon Alder’s ECON 312 had heavy homework, with proofs and Excel assignments that students found time-consuming or hard. Some reported clear lectures and helpful office hours, while another found him rude and hard to reach outside class.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026HONORS THESIS: Students will work on their honor thesis.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Senior Honors Thesis is a course in which students conduct faculty-guided, honors-level original research.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Directed Study allows advanced undergraduate students to study specific topics or conduct research as arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2024 · limited sampleDistinct courses recorded per term
Explore courses taught by this instructor →| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | ECON 302 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory |
| Spring 2027 | ECON 312 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory - Advanced Treatment |
| Spring 2027 | ECON 581 | Honors Thesis |
| Spring 2027 | ECON 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Spring 2027 | ECON 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | ECON 302 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory |
| Fall 2026 | ECON 475 | Economics of Growth |
| Fall 2026 | ECON 581 | Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | ECON 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | ECON 699 | Directed Study |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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