This was my first GE, so I don't know much about other GE's, but in comparison to the other GE I took this quarter as well as comments from upperclassmen, this class is definitely not the easiest GE to take. I chose to take this class because it seemed interesting, and it definitely lived up to that. Even though my other GE was easier, I was much more interested in this class, which helped me stay engaged. The grading is 20% midterm, 20% recitation activities (attendance, participation, and a seminar in discussion), 30% term paper, and 30% final. The midterm and final have the same type of questions, except the final is a bit longer. The exams are all free response. One half of the exam is defining and relating basic concepts to globalization and the other half is essay questions. There are always multiple basic concepts and essay questions to choose from (you don't have to answer every question). There are study guides for both the midterm and final, including a list of all possible basic concepts that will show up on the exam and sample essay questions. The term paper is on a transnational corporation of your choice, and I received a lot of help from my TA. I think it's also important to get a good TA since they will be grading your basic concepts and term paper.

Professor Sheppard is extremely knowledgable on the subject. Some of his lectures were a little dry, but for the most part, I enjoyed the class. The professor did offer one extra credit opportunity if a certain percentage of the class completed the class evaluation. There is a course reader, and some of the readings were a bit long. However, I was still able to attend all the lectures and do all the readings. Mentioning the readings and lectures will help you score high on the exams.

TLDR: Overall, I enjoyed this class, but it's not the easiest GE. I would take only if you are interested in the topic and prepared to put in a bit of extra work.

This is the most impactful and eye-opening course I have ever taken.

Dr. Sheppard is a brilliant and informed lecturer who offers students the opportunity to dramatically alter the ways in which they perceive the world. That said, this class will only be impactful if you are willing to engage with the materials with an open mind.

The midterm and final were extremely fair, as Dr.Sheppard provides comprehensive study guides prior to every exam.

I would 100% recommend taking this course.

I took this class as a freshman, and I had many concerns going into it. However, this class is designed to cater to freshmen. The course material was a bit dry at first because the first half of the course focuses on the history of economic globalization. But this class really picks up after the midterm. So I'd suggest you hang on even if you feel like dropping out after the first few classes. The professor is very well-versed in the subject but does feel like he rushes through his slides at times - and he doesn't even upload them. So skipping class is not a good idea but if you go to his office hours, he's extremely helpful. There is a course reader, and multiple long readings are assigned on a weekly basis. The readings can be long and tedious, but doing them will greatly improve your grade. There are also weekly quizzes on CCLE, but they are super easy and you get full credit for doing any 6 of them. The midterm and final are essay-based and are really difficult to finish - but if you reference the readings in your answers, you'll get a good grade. There is also a research paper - but it doesn't require much work and is quite enjoyable. As an economics major, I loved this class, and would totally recommend it to anyone interested in global/international economics. BUT DON'T TAKE IT AS AN EASY GE! IT'S A LOT OF WORK!

This is a super interesting class but the tests are all essay based and they mark you off for little ticky tack mistakes. I recommend it for a good learning experience but not if you want an easy A.

Professor Sheppard is extremely well informed and in my opinion a great professor. He is always prepared for class with a fast paced lecture. It is handwritten notes only. Lectures are extremely well-organized and always begin with an overview of what we will be talking about with main concepts then sections. His midterm and final are very fair and well organized. He gives the concepts ahead of time so we know what to study despite there being a lot of course content which he moves through quickly. There is a fair amount of reading which was rather dense, but if you can get the main points you can score many points on tests by using their names/ideas. This was not the easiest class but definitely interesting to learn about. I had some interest before but was unsure of, but he made the class very interesting.
Overall: Worthwhile class, medium workload, interesting material, and Professor Sheppard lectures well.

Very interesting class. You learn relevant stuff. However there is a lot of material you must memorize to be successful

I took Geography 4 Fall Quarter of my Freshman year, it was absolutely amazing. Dr. Sheppard gives the best lectures ever. However, it doesn't mean it is easy, it is imperative to do all the readings, take notes in class and be able to connect all the readings. The readings are long and complex, if you don't enjoy reading or history, this class isn't for you.

The class gives a great explanation of why society is so unequal nowadays. The timeline Dr. Sheppard takes you through is complex unlike any other history or economics class. Great class to see if you want to study Geography

I took Geography 4 Fall Quarter of my Freshman year, it was absolutely amazing. Dr. Sheppard gives the best lectures ever. However, it doesn't mean it is easy, it is imperative to do all the readings, take notes in class and be able to connect all the readings. The readings are long and complex, if you don't enjoy reading or history, this class isn't for you.

The class gives a great explanation of why society is so unequal nowadays. The timeline Dr. Sheppard takes you through is complex unlike any other history or economics class. Great class to see if you want to study Geography

This class way too much work for a GE. there was so many readings it was really difficult to stay on top of it all and there's a 2 hour discussion. The midterm was alright and not too difficult but the final was extremely long with either 3 or 4 bluebooks I don't remember but it sucked. There is also that big paper which was a lot of work. Overall not the greatest class for a GE. Would not recommend

This was a very difficult class because the exam format was essay-based and was long. It took me the whole 3 hours, and I did not even finish the exam! The exam and class were based on complex concepts with a lot of case studies to back it up. I feel like the class could become better if we could bring in a one-sided cheat sheet because the exam became a memory test. Also, there was hella reading and I definitely stopped reading after the midterm (Week 5). Moreover, I did not agree with the content in Week 8/9 - he contradicted himself? On the other hand, I got Clare Beer as my TA who helped me streamline the complex concepts and readings. She was amazing! Make sure to get her if you can.