I am a south campus major, and I really did not want to take this class when I signed up for it. But I ended up kinda, sorta liking it as the quarter went on. Professor Goldberg really is a good lecturer. Yeah, some of the topics were a little boring, as in any class. But the majority were actually pretty interesting even for a science guy like me. I'll spend alot of this review on the negatives, but keep in mind overall I did like this class.

Some things I did not like about his teaching style/the class:.

-His powerpoint slides are really just outlines for what he is going to talk about; they don't help much. You really have to listen to him if you want good notes. Luckily, the slides he posts online after lectures are more detailed and are good study tools. Often, though, these are not detailed enough either and you must rely on your lecture notes.

-His tests are fairly difficult. Well, they're not really difficult in the sense that they require lots of critical thinking. They're difficult because he will test you on little details that you wouldn't expect (ESPECIALLY for the images, as people have stated).

-Didn't like how strictly fact based the tests were. They are just straight memory tests. No thinking needed. I don't think I thought once during his tests, except for the last essay on the final. Just study like hell the night before and regurgitate. Then forget everything. Many of the "essays" on his tests didn't even require complete sentences - just factual bullet points.

If you want an A, with minimal work:

-Write really good notes. REALLY good notes. Go to lecture everyday, focus and try to write down nearly everything he says. Yeah, it sucks to have to be so stressed during lecture, but believe me it will pay off big time when you are studying with really good notes. When images come up, write down every single word that comes out of his mouth - he will test you on the smallest detail you can imagine (I learned the hard way after the first midterm).

-For readings: there are alot of these, he assigns a reading for almost every lecture and for every discussion. It's not THAT critical to keep up with the readings, except for discussion since you have to participate. He never tests on silly details from the readings, which is nice. However, you still need to know what is going on in most of the readings - 2 of the 3 tests had a quote section where you needed to identify author, speaker, and listener (thus it may be beneficial to actually read the texts rather than rely on online summaries).

(Hint: he will almost always reference the readings in lecture, be sure to note when he does this).

(Another hint: Don't waste your time with some of the very historical readings, such as the ones that describe battles. He will most likely never test you on these, and the lectures give you all you need to know.)

-Essays: These aren't bad - one 4-page and one 5-page essay. You don't need to do any outside research - just be sure to get good quotes from the text that support your argument. I started both the essays on Sunday when they were due at Monday at 9AM, and got a 93 and 96. Not bragging, just showing that they are straight forward and not worth stressing too much over.

Should you take this as an easy GE? Yes and no. Yes, because getting an A is very doable if you put in the effort. No, because there may be easier classes out there. Your choice.

Professor Goldberg is extremely knowledgeable and I am sooo glad I took his course my freshman year. I decided to became a Classics major, and owe much of my success to him. With that said, he is NOT an easy professor and this class is NOT an easy A.

You have to go to each lecture and take very good notes. He is kind enough to post his lecture slides online (I really dislike professors who do not), but they don't tell you much at all. The first midterm will be a bit of a surprise, because it's harder than you expected. The exams and paper are graded pretty fairly, but you have to know your stuff.

There is a lot to be learned in this class. He throws a LOT at you. In my opinion, I learned more from Goldberg's course than any of my upper division courses. I recommend him especially if you are a Classics major (or thinking about it) or if you are an ardent fan of Greek history. If you are looking for an easy GE, this is not it.

Not an easy GE. So if that is what you're looking for take something else! Test are hard, lectures are pretty boring. Do all the reading, go to all the lectures, take good notes AND study!

This class is harder than you think. Go to class and make sure you pay attention because he likes putting things on test that are not on the slides or that you would only hear from him. His test are tricky as well.

Goldberg was a good professor, and he made Classics pretty interesting with slide shows and anecdotes. Some suggestions: go to lecture. Write down everything he says in lecture. He tests you on obscure details he mentions in class. The readings aren't that important, and his slide shows are worth a huge part of your grade. It also depends on the TA you have, their grading style on tests can make or break your grade. There were also two essays which were relatively easy. Overall it was an interesting class, but it's probably more work than you would expect.

Professor Goldberg was a good professor even though some of his lectures were very boring. The number one mistake I made in the beginning of this class was not paying attention to the images and what he said about them; my first midterm grade definitely reflected that. So if you plan on taking this, MAKE SURE YOU ATTEND LECTURE and write everything down. If you do that you will do well in the class since most of the exams come right off of what he says in lecture. Overall, this was not a difficult class and anyone can do well as long they attend lecture. All of the readings are not necessary either; your TA will go over the ones which you should read and Goldberg also mentions some in lecture. Also go to office hours if you're missing stuff from notes, Prof Goldberg will explain everything you need to know about the topic as long as you ask.

Professor Goldberg is a mediocre professor. More often than not, his lectures made me want to fall asleep. The class wasn't too demanding, but he tests on images that he's shown in lecture once for a maximum of two minutes. The material isn't that interesting and isn't presented well. Overall, I would suggest skipping out on this class.

Medium-difficult course. Not an easy GE, but with a little bit of effort you can get an A. I got an A-, but that's because I got 80% on my first midterm for not listing enough details. So pay attention to details! Lots of memorization. Reading is not essential, but it will help you remember the essential information much more easily. Things are easier to remember when they're coupled with a story. You really do learn a lot from this class if you try. It is essential to attend lecture, because all of his tests are based on lecture. There are two 4-5 page papers, graded by your TA. Section attendance is 15% part of your grade, so I'd say having a good TA would help. Andy Kinzler's a nice guy. There are 2 midterms and one final. Tests consist of different types of short answer questions and one interpretive essay. Pay attention to the images. Sometimes he posts his PowerPoint slideshows before lecture, so you could print those out and bring them to lecture to take notes on. But that's a lot of ink, so I'd recommend bringing your laptop and viewing the slides from there. I have lecture voice recordings and notes that pertain to the midterm formats. I also have reading notes, study guides, and practice exams. Email me at ************* if you're interested.

His lectures were actually pretty interesting. You really don't have to do any reading! Sure, you may use it when you're writing your essays, but for the most part, everything comes from the lectures. When he talks about images, keep very close attention to whatever he says: images are the biggest chunk of your grades on your test and it's important to know them. Overall, I would recommend it, and if you pay attention to lecture you will do well.

I really enjoyed the class, but maybe just because I'm developing an interest in Persian/Greek history in general. The other evaluations are pretty accurate, that is, that Goldberg is occasionally funny, there's lots of (interesting) readings, and the class is slightly difficult because of the small details you need to know. The essays are pretty easy as long as you don't mess up on silly errors like spelling or grammar. Overall I recommend the class; I think it's worth it!