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19 Ratings
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As a history major looking for a pre-1700 Euro class, I decided to take this class because I wanted a challenge, and I got one. The amount of reading in this class is quite intense: oftentimes you have to read about 100-230 pages from just one a book in a week, and sometime there's still more readings, and these will all be addressed in discussion. An average of 250p a week. The class also had reading quizzes (maybe just with zoom?) and the essays relied on primary sources as evidence, the exams tested you on the readings, and there's so much in the readings that Lendon doesn't get to it all in detail in lecture, so you had to do the readings. That being said, I found myself very enthusiastic about the readings, far more than I was when I first started the class. I generated a natural curiosity for the topic with how much time I spent in it. A lot of the readings are ancient accounts of warfare, which is pretty cool. Professor Lendon keeps the class very interesting as an extremely enthusiastic, passionate, and talented lecturer. The lectures have an "epic" tone to them. He loves talking about this stuff, so ask him questions! In addition, what you need to know is made explicitly clear each week, it's just that it's a lot. Pace yourself with the readings and start them early. Pay attention to the weekly study guides, that way you will really be studying as you go. Overall, not an easy class, it will require your time. But, I felt very rewarded at the end, and felt like a better historian, and student in general. I highly recommend it to those willing to put the time into it.
Lendon classes are infamously difficult, but I would still wholeheartedly recommend this class. I learned more in this class than I think I've learned in any other history class at UVA; Lendon's lectures are incredibly engaging and while some of the reading is pretty boring, a lot of it (especially Lendon's book and the Warry book) was fascinating. The papers and exams were graded extremely fairly. It's a lot of work, so don't take it if you don't want to commit to the work, but I would recommend it for the subject material and for Lendon.
As a STEM major, taking this as a first college history course was daunting, but was enjoyable. The reading is long, around 230 pgs a week, give or take, and there is a huge list of terms to memorize but, all of the material is relevant, with the highly entertaining lectures making up for the sometimes dull readings. The majority of the grades come from the the two tests and two papers given throughout the semester, and they are all doable. The grading is lenient and fair. I highly recommend this class to anyone who wants an engaging professor, but also wants to feel like they learned a lot.
I loved this class. It is a ton of reading and a lot of information, but well worth it if you are interested in the subject. Lendon is an amazing lecturer and his love for the subject material shows through in his assignments and lectures. It is a demanding class, but if you are willing to do the work it isn't too bad!
As Prof. Lendon would say, Greek and Roman Warfare is f***ing awesome. He is one of the best lecturers I have had, always starts class off with a funny anecdote. The topic is awesome, I mean common, you learn about warriors kicking ass. Very reading intensive, but it is all cool readings. Lendon's book is a great read. Read and study, and it is worth it, if you are a lazy bum, skip the class.
2 7-pg papers, a midterm, and final mean a lot of writing, and you have at least 200 pages of reading a week - usually a few bits scattered around various source material and then most of a novel on the subject. So it's a lot of work, but it's totally worth it - Lendon is easily the best lecturer I've had so far at this university, and the phalanx drill is a great opportunity - don't miss out on a legendary class because you're afraid of the work. Also, definitely fight to get Paul Belonick as your TA he is fantastic - he has great storytime/legal advice at the beginnings of discussion and he's not afraid to disagree with Lendon's theories
Don't let his animated, goofy lecture style fool you into thinking that this class is awesome. While Lendon delivers entertaining lectures, most of the readings assigned are heavy and dull.
Readings are an essential part of the course. You will get a low grade unless you read all the readings carefully and take good notes in every class.
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