The single worst professor I ever had

The only reason I would recommend taking Econ 1 with Professor Bresnock is because it's the easiest class I've ever taken. Also, I significantly improved my ability at doing crossword puzzles during her class. To be fair, there's no way you can really make Econ 1 interesting, because calculus isn't a prerequisite and there's hundreds of students in the class. But Professor Bresnock has a somewhat annoying lecture style, going off on tangents that are neither interesting nor enlightening, and going through the material way too slowly. As I said, it was an easy class, though - she writes all her exams from a test bank, and posts lots of practice questions on her website. Just spend maybe 5 hours studying for each test and you'll get an A.

Also, Professor Bresnock doesn't use the book and tends to criticize it a lot. But the book (the one we used, at least, by Cowen and Tabarrok) is actually well-written and interesting, with cool examples.

She's quite fair. I got an A by attending all the 8 am lectures and PAYING ATTENTION IN CLASS (if you just fill out the notes like a machine then you are screwed)
Get a good TA to explain stuff to you, do 80% of the homework problems, attend midterm/final review sessions, and you should do well. Btw, don't skip any lecture... just don't, even if it's 8 am.

I had her class in Fall 2010. Her class is organized, including her notes. But she is not that nice to students, especially her office hour is to early to go. She never posts any grade online, so I didn't know my final and why I only got A-. So if you choose other professors like Sproul, not choose her.

Organized lecture = organized notes. I thought this class was fair. Not super easy, but just reasonable. Review your notes every week and review your computer module answers w/ classmates. I thought the midterm and final were a bit challenging but I passed with a B+ in the class.

I really liked Professor Bresnock and thought her summer Econ 1 course was very reasonable. From the start, you know 100% what to expect in this course. She lays out the time line, the two computer assignments she gives, and what will be on her exams. She has an excellent websites with tons of former tests she gave as homework to practice for her exams. If you can do the homework she gives and you stay on task, you can easily get an A. I got an A- and felt her tests were a fair assessment of the class. Lectures were two hours in the summer and while long, they are informative. Her notes are easy to follow along, even though you have to print hundreds of pages each night. She has blank spots in her notes where she has the students fill in graphs and follow along so that we are not just starring at the board. Drawing the graphs with her also helped in learning the material. She is much better than some of the other Econ 1 professors you could get and is glad to stay and answer questions.

I actually really liked Bresnock. I thought that she explained the concepts very well and made it easy to learn. The projects were very easy and the midterm and final were fair. Just make sure to do the homework/pratice problems she posts online. The book was helpful along the course and it was an easy read. Her lecture style was annoying at times, because she would always mentions her drive to UCLA, the past projects she had done, and about other classes that she teaches.

only nubs complain about this class

The workload is too too much. We are supposed to learn alot of stuff in quarter at UCLA? Although she is a good lecturer, her midterm and final are very very complex. The class average is poor.
She's always encourages students to come in and ask her questions, but she's never there.
One time, I had a practice problme question that I couldn't solve nor did three of Bresnock's TA's. So, I asked that same question to Bresnock. All I got in return is being treated like an idiot, as if I should have known the answer. She scolded me, and people around the room at Bunche made this awkward silence. While she only had another student at office hours, she technically said, Next.... as if I should leave.

Overall, I rate Bresnock poorly. Yes, she knows the material and knows how to teach but the atmosphere and the graded materials is what sucks. Everyday to class she is cranky and btchy. She'll justify her behavior because she drives all the way from Pomona, well nobody cares. Why does she have to bring a negative atmosphere to the 8am lectures.

You want to learn real Econ? Take Microeconomic Theory (econ 11) with Professor Micheal Sproul. He'll teach you!

I don't understand all the criticism students have posted. I think she is an excellent lecturer. Very clear and to the point. She emphasizes the important points and is extremely organized. She spoon feeds the material. She walks students through, step by step- I appreciate that. If you follow all the practice problems and her notes the class shouldn't be too difficult. Of course the more effort put into the class, the better the outcome and understanding of the material.
She is very helpful and wants students to do well. She has to be one of my favorite professors.