Mark Thomas is definitely a good lecturer/storyteller and this was probably one of my most enjoyable classes this semester. That being said. I do have quite a few complaints
1) The grade in this course is based off of 3 tests, so if you mess up on even one you're screwed. I was able to end with an "A-" but I had to work harder than I did in any other class.
2) The textbook readings were really long and had a lot of extraneous content. It is still necessary to do the textbook readings, however, since 5 points on every exam is based on definitions, many of which come straight from the textbook
3) I took this class since it was cross listed as an econ course, but it is definitely heavily weighted towards historical content.

I loved this class!! you should definitely takes this class ONLY if you are interested in Econ otherwise it will be harder to grasp the material. I suggest taking Macro before choosing this class. Take good notes in class and make sure you understand everything he talks about. Hard class but you learn a lot!!!

Definitely the best class I've taken at UVA. Prof Thomas is engaging and interesting -- I never thought a topic so mundane could be my favorite class, by far. The lectures are comprised of him speaking/writing on the chalk board while you furiously try to copy down everything he says or writes. Only reason not to take this class is because of the GPA. I got an A, which I attribute to being well-caffeinated for every lecture, reading the textbook (not at all necessary if you're fine with a B/B+, but the evidence you get from them can be helpful for essays, and on the 2nd test/final, he'll pull the ID questions straight from the textbook with no mention of them in lecture), taking good notes, and studying my ass off. The key to the exams is to fill them with numbers, not just general trends/vague evidence -- throwing as many specific numbers in your essays will increase your grade astronomically. Read the course book and take detailed notes on them. Great course, great professor.

Take this class!!! Professor Thomas is the most amazing lecturer, and I was completely engaged in every class. He covers a lot of material each day, so everyone furiously writes or types the entire time, but you leave each class feeling like you learned so much. This class is much more like a history class than an econ class on the surface, but everything you learn is through an economic lens which makes it different and interesting. Definitely one of my favorite classes of the semester.
My advice would be to READ IN ADVANCE. The texts Prof Thomas assigns are a combination of textbook chapters and primary resources, and they can really add up. You don't have to read nightly, but definitely read throughout units. (Don't save it all until the day before.) As you're reading, write down and remember any terms that seem like vocab. On midterms, you have to write a few sentences about 5 random terms throughout any of the reading. You can't guess what he will ask, but writing town terms helps you get most of them right.

Professor Thomas is awesome. Definitely one of the best lecturers at UVA. He's hilarious and super easy to talk to in office hours. The course material is interesting for the most part. This is a really enjoyable class for the most part, but it's certainly not easy. There is an extensive amount of reading and the tests are all handwritten essay questions with significant time pressure that are worth a substantial amount of your grade. The syllabus says there are 2 midterms worth 25% each and a final worth 50%, but the final exam is split into a 3rd midterm and a cumulative final. If you stay on top of everything, it's definitely possible to get an A, but it's super tough. Exams are 5 ID questions, 3 one paragraph essay questions and a 1-2 page essay question. To prepare for the midterms: 1) Take great notes in lecture. This is essential, because he posts nothing online at all. Your only resources are lectures, readings and his office hours. 2) Read the PACKET readings thoroughly and be able to explain the main ideas, arguments, conclusions, etc. The packet readings are what you're tested on. The textbook readings are helpful, but you have to prioritize the packet readings. The cumulative portion of the final exam was a series of essay questions that all had to be about 2 blue book pages long. You have 2 hours to do it. The questions focus on the broad themes of the course. Honestly, it's hard to prepare for this if you didn't understand earlier material. Main takeaways: 1) Do not miss class and always take notes. 2) Do all the packet readings thoroughly. 3) Write faster than you've ever written before! It's an intensive class, but it's worth it if you're willing to put the work in.

Attend lectures , do the readings in the textbook and the course packet. Or do none of these and completely fail midterms 1 and 2 . And stare at that final which is 50% of your grade and use your basic understanding of micro and macroeconomics to try to explain the history of American economics since the 1600s.
If you have time to read the course packet do it but if not just skim the readings and write down the author , title and 2 main points they are trying to convey . This will get you 15/15 on the short answer section . IDs you just have to know so try and learn them somehow . And the essay just pick 1 or 2 topics and try and learn them super well and cram that into an essay and be as opinionated as you want as this gets you more credit .
With hindsight I would recommend showing up to lectures as you will not have to cram before every exam and scramble to get the lecture notes off people you met in the lecture on the first day of class .
Overall very interesting the handful of lectures I attended I did enjoy ! But the content is pretty boring. But yeh good course if you want to teach yourself everything 2 nights before the final and get a B .

The class was interesting, not as much history as I expected. Mark Thomas clearly knows a lot about the subject and is an entertaining lecturer but will often spend half the lecture explaining theories that aren't true which seems kinda pointless sometimes. Make sure to do the readings in the course packet!

Great course and is very interesting, but it's really hard. Make sure you record lectures and attend every class because nothing is posted on Collab or anything. All you get is whatever he writes on the board in class. Also, it seems a little disorganized and the general picture of the whole course is hard to make out. You don't need to do the textbook readings but make sure you know his readings from his booklet.
Overall, interesting course and I would recommend if you have an easy schedule but not if you already have a hard one.

Professor Thomas is one of the best lecturers at UVA. His lectures are like stories. He'll spend half an hour explaining a theory that makes seemingly perfect sense and then he'll just blow your mind and completely disprove it in 5 minutes. He makes content that some might find dry extremely interesting. That being said, this is a pretty difficult 2000 level course. Professor Thomas doesn't post anything online so you have to try to take very detailed notes very quickly every lecture, as that is virtually all you have to study before exams. On the bright side, there is very little work outside of class. You don't really need to read the textbook, there was only one ID question on one exam from it all year. But read and take notes on the class packet of primary sources because he pulls a lot of test questions from it. All in all, this was a great course and I do recommend it, as it's not easy but you can do well if you put in the effort.

A must-take-class at UVA. Mark is extraordinary both s a professor and as a person. He is incredibly knowledgeable and most importantly passionate. He is a tough grader and you might suffer but it will definitely be worth it. You will end up with a greater appreciation for how the US came to be and see the world in a different perspective.