Maxwell Hsu

Maxwell is a good professor but sometimes he's hard to understand. He decided for the first time this semester that he wasn't going to give us the huge group project that he normally does! I read previous comments on how this was the hardest thing some students have done all semester, and he decided to not do it for us! :) He is quite nit-picky with his details...so whenever he shows a video or there is a guest speaker, TAKE NOTES! He'll definitely test you on it. Usually he'll mention or tell you what he wants you to know, so write it down! Also for articles that he tells you to read, do it! Print them out and write down what he says in class. He'll give you around 10 minutes to look through your notes and book during a test, so use that time to write you long essay on the articles from class discussion. He showed us a lot of Simpson episodes in the beginning of the semester. He didn't understand what happened when the episode went all dark, after showing two people in bed and there was moaning in the background. He looked at one of the students in class and asked him what was going on and why we were all laughing He also mispronounced something one time and accidentially said f*** I learned a good amount in his class, but when it comes to details, you definitely need to remember little things. Like the number you call in England for an emergency....their 911 number. His tests are tough, but he usually gives a pretty good curve. Ours were between 3 and 5 points for our 3 exams. Participation is huge! Make sure you participate and you'll get almost 30/30. And also make sure you are always evaluating the groups after they present; that can really help your grade too if your tests dont turn out that well.

Maxwell is a poor choice for a professor. His projects wouldn't be so bad if you could somehow decode the 6 pages of block text in the instructions. He is extremely picky about every detail. Our group got points taken off on our proposal because it wasn't size 12 font and it wasn't Times New Roman. Nowhere in the assignment for the proposal was this requirement mentioned... he searched through the syllabus and found in some random paragraph (relating to a completely different assignment, I might add)that is was supposed to be like that. His tests are extremely trivial. Forget trying to gain conceptual knowledge by taking his class. The only thing he wants you to know is where the HQ for the European Central Bank is. If, unfortunately, you are stuck with Max, memorize minute details, and do every random assignment he gives you (even if he mentions it only once in a flyaway comment) he'll test you on it. Make sure to take notes on guest speakers too. As someone else mentioned, don't bother asking him for help, he's not the least bit helpful. If you can avoid it, don't take him. Otherwise, good luck!

Professor Hsu is the kind of professor that wants you to learn a lot but wants to actually teach very little! Our group project is a huge part of our grade and the instructions are unclear and lofty! Asking him for help is pointless because he will ramble on forever and barely answer any of your questions. He seems to have a clear idea of what he expects from his students...he just wont inform them what that is. If you take him expect to learn little and work A LOT!

Dr. Hsu is a great teacher overall. He makes his tests a little challenging but then curves a good amount. I didn't study much for his tests and still average a B on them. A few group projects, which are pretty easy overall and then participation/attendance counts for 40 points...AWESOME!