Ilter Bakkal is an Economics professor at Northeastern University rated 2.99/5 by 575 students, with 3.45/5 difficulty and 46.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Ilter Bakkal professor reviews and ratings: 2.99/5 from 575 student reviews at Northeastern (46.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
As long as you attend his classes you will be fine. He has office hours before classes and his study guides translate very well to the exams. If you can answer all the questions on the study guide you will do well on the test, he is not a harsh grader and the course involves almost no math.ECON2316 2026-01-27 21:44:00 +0000 UTC
Very old fashioned - uses chalkboard to teach. He clearly cared deeply about environmental economics, so he always had a lot to say. Not a lot of hw assignments, and he's an easy enough grader. Can be hard to follow at times bc of his lecture-heavy style, but if you pay attention you will do just fine. Does often give vague instructions on purposeECON3423 2025-12-23 01:35:25 +0000 UTC
Had Bakkal for a Critique of Capitalism class, and most of my concerns came from the way he organized the class.Towards the end of the sem lectures became way more disorganized. Still, he was clear about what terms /questions would be on tests, and as long as you actually listen in lectures and do all readings you will be fine.ECONOMICS 2025-12-16 20:10:55 +0000 UTC
Professor is hit or miss - lectures can be dry, but tests are manageable with the textbook. Unstuck study was a lifesaver for study prep. Overall, a decent class if you put in the work.ECN1115 2024-11-24 07:49:28 +0000 UTC
WORST PROFESSOR EVER. No textbook, no slides, boring dry lectures, harsh grader. The only way to study was to note down and memorize everything he writes on the board, or you will fail tests. Tests are all short answer questions, which just requires you to memorize everything.ECON3520 2024-04-30 19:03:58 +0000 UTC
Very interesting and knowledgeable about the history of economics. He's excellent at helping you understand concepts in layman's terms.2315 2024-04-14 17:57:43 +0000 UTC
talks the entire time with no powerpoint or notes. gives incredibly tough exams and is very rude when students ask questions in class.ECON1115 2022-02-10 14:36:13 +0000 UTC
Professor Bakkal is amazing, I can't stress this enough he made a topic I hated Macroeconomics to a topic I loved, he is really caring for his students and very nice with everyone, its truly shown that he wants his students to learn although its a hard class he will make you love it.ECON2315 2021-01-30 20:29:28 +0000 UTC
This professor says one thing in class and expects another answer on his exams, that's gaslighting. In an email, he states that he's had students study hard, revises their strategies, and still fail. How can any professor say that and not think there's something wrong with their way of teaching? This class is a joke and the professor is delusional.ECN1116 2020-07-22 22:41:35 +0000 UTC
The worst professor I ever met at Northeastern. Avoid his course if you still care your GPA!!!!! He does not even know what he wants. "i'm expecting you figure out what you want." He is also a extremely tough grader.CED6040 2020-06-09 02:46:57 +0000 UTC
There were a lot of environmental majors in the room and they had beef with his teaching but he is a good professor. His bread and butter is economics but he has a great interested in environmental studies. If you pay attention and try to learn the material you will get a high grade. His teaching method is relaxed and won't call on someone randomlyECON3432 2017-12-10 14:19:24 +0000 UTC
The worst professor in the Economics department in Northeastern. He is bad at teaching and monotone. His exam are hard and he is a unfair grader. Even if you do well in all your exams, like I did. He will end up giving you a bad grade for participation like 4/10 which will bring you done two grades. I ended up getting a B+.ECON3410 2017-04-15 19:49:56 +0000 UTC
Brilliant guy, incoherent lectures.ECON5140 2017-01-06 15:37:09 +0000 UTC
one of the easiest topic I've ever encountered but still couldn't get the As. He is clearly not very knowledgeable in the field and makes up for this by being extremely tough grader. Had to write two 2500 words papers,too much for a course that has 3 exams. I put down 15 hours work into papers, all I got back from him was one sentence feedback!ECN3410 2016-12-21 15:25:32 +0000 UTC
Not to sound extreme, but one of the worst professors I've had. If you enjoyed Environment & Society with professor Daniel Faber, stay clear of this course and professor if you value your time. He's not very knowledgable, talks slow,stutters, rambles, and he easily gets confused by both his own thoughts and questions in class. Very disappointed.3423ECON 2016-12-14 13:14:49 +0000 UTC
Ilter Bakkal has an average rating of 2.99/5 from 575 student reviews. 46.0% of students said they would take them again.
Ilter Bakkal's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.45/5 based on student reviews.
Ilter Bakkal has taught ECON2316, ECON1115, ECON3405, ECON3423, ECON4692, ECON3520, ECON3460, ECON2315, ECON1116, ECON2560, HONR1310, ECON3560, ECON7210, ECON3410, ECON4634, ECON3442 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.