This is one of the best econ classes I have ever taken. Not only is the subject material very interesting, but Baim's amazing comedic presence keeps you engaged in the lecture from start to finish. It is refreshing to take a class with a professor who is actually passionate about what he is teaching. The tests are not too difficult--just study the old exams for the midterms, read your book, and pay special attention to your lecture notes. Overall, I highly recommend this class!

I think Baim is very overrated as an upper-division Econ professor. I went to every lecture, I read the text pretty well, and I got a pretty good grade. However, I don't feel like I learned much from him, and I don't think his exams accurately test the students. Much of it is material not covered in class or random material that some of the students have seen on old exams and some haven't. I recommend you take other upper-division econ classes if you can. His class, is however, very little work (couple nights before midterm, couple nights before final).

Well, after reading all the negative comments about Prof. Baim, I felt that I had to write a comment of my own. I took his econ 160 class, and to those who think the final was hard, you have to be, ummm, how should I put it nicely? not very intelligent, because, you should know from taking his midterm, that his MC and T/F questions come exactly from the past tests he puts on reserve in the library. So, even if his lectures are sometimes not relevant to the test content, you can accurately predict what the questions on the final will ask, especially since he holds a review before final. I did horribly on the midterm just because I didn't put in the effort and go over sample midterm questions. But I did that for the final, and got an A. So my advice to you: definitely take him b/c it is one of the easier econ classes.

umm... yeah... um... That's how Baim's class goes. He basically didn't get to the last 3 chapters (out of 6, following the midterm) we were required to know for the final and answered "um... yeah... i dunno" to anything most students asked. About halfway through the qtr his jokes get downright ridiculous and waste so much time. I guess a lot of people enjoy stupid humor though? He is super stubborn about being right, even though half the class contested on the same problem from the midterm. Overall, I despised sitting through his lectures. At least the book is good.

Just took the final...ahh geez let's hope I pulled at least a C....no not because I didn't study, but because it was hard! Baim's tests consist mostly of T/F, MC, and essays. Now, the essays and the T/F aren't so terribly bad, but the damn MC are hella tricky! The final was 150 pts, and 2/3 of the points were from T/F and MC. what the hell!?!??!?! Abt. the professor...i suppose he isn't THAT bad. One thing I dislike about this dude is that he lectures so vaguely yet the book is super detailed. and this isn't one of those classes that you could pull at least a B with last minute studying. you really need to put your time and efforts into studying! Seriously, read the book! personally i don't think u could survive this class w/out reading it. there's so much information to digest from that book! not a bad book i must say. the subject itself is very interesting. professor is too, he cracks jokes all the time, tries to keep us entertained, yet, i think he ends up wasting a lot of valuable time doing so because he could have used that time to go thru the materials thoroughly! More than half of the class got C's and below on the midterm. that oughtta tell you quite a bit about the professor. don't be mistaken thinking that if u understand the notes u took in class, u'll do well on the tests. bottom line: read and re-read the book, answer the TF and MC questions CAREFULLY!!!! oh yeah don't forget...he's got past midterms on reserves! put them to use!!!

This was one of the easier classes I have had. I missed like 2 weeks of class and still got an easy A. Read the book and you will be just fine. The class is really boring when he is going over the history of banking during the first 2 weeks but it gets more interesting after that. The other great thing about the class is that there is no homework but if you want to have practice with the material, look at the old exams he has on reserve. On top of all this Dr. Baim has a great sense of humor adn will keep you entertained with jokes, anecdotes and of course tap dancing. However, he is not as friendly as you might think. I asked him to do something very simple for the class and he promised yet he never did it. Take the class if you want an easy A, but don't even try to approach this guy.

Baim made the subject alot more interesting. But his lectures are very broad and you need to read the book to fully grasp the concepts...Sometimes he just goes over it briefly.

The study guide really helps in preparing you for the multiple choice and T/F sections. It also helps for the numerical calculations that you didn't know you needed to know..;)

I recommend this professor. You really do get to understand money and banking!

I would recommend Prof Baim. He adds a little humor to his lectures. His exams are tough, but straightforward. Prof Baim does a good job teaching the material. You will not only know the material, but you will understand it.

Professor Baim is an entertaining professor - I would have to say he's the only professor I've seen at UCLA who actually tap dances in class to demonstrate his point. The material itself is all right, maybe more interesting if you like learning about the Fed and money supply, interest rates, relationship to banks and other institutions. Reading the book provides a good supplement to the lectures - I wouldn't go on lectures alone. The midterm wasn't too bad, mainly because he provides old midterms in online reserves. The final was a bit harder and required that you remember things from the first half of the class. Overall, the class is ok. I would probably give it a 6 out of 10 compared to other upper div econ classes I've taken (I liked 150 and Public Finance more, that's why), but I consider Professor Baim a pretty effective professor.

Professor Baim was one of the most entertaining professors at UCLA. His jokes are funny enough to keep you awake during the lecture. Unlike in other courses, Baim will take time to explain everything very carefully so that people will understand. His midterm was straightforward but difficult nonetheless. His final was more difficult than the midterm. Let me give you this advice: don't take this class if you're looking for an easy 'A;' take it if you want to learn something that could help you in the business world. But be prepared to be challenged a little.