Would recommend!

Although he was fairly nice, he never used the chalkboard or wrote anything down, which is pretty necessary in a language class. He also expected memorization of long lists of verbs which was very difficult when I was taking a full course load and only useful to a person who plans on becoming a Greek scholar which I do not.

I would never take his class ever again. The materials aren't difficult but he likes to just information vomit all over you and expects you to spit it right back for quizzes and midterms. The midterm wasn't difficult but the final was the worst thing I've done . 3 mini essays and 2 long essays with ID questions. Took most students the whole 2-3 hrs

Would NEVER take any class from him again. Lectures are horrible, he jumps all over the place with information. Basically word vomits the whole time. No organization at all. Quizzes weekly and assigns a ridiculous amount of reading. Unless you're interested in Greek Myth it'll be fine, but if not wait to take it with another prof

Keep up with the readings and go to lecture AND section. Pay attention and take good lecture notes. Section is 20% of your grade, weekly quizzes in section (2 lowest scores dropped). 2 grading options: midterm 30% and final 50% OR midterm 20% and final 60%. Just do the readings and take good notes and you will get a good grade.

Lectures are all over the place and he jumps around to different ideas, making it a little confusing sometimes. Don't expect to get any help from him because he's always in a hurry and acts like he doesn't want to talk. Got annoyed with him.

Hard class, but it is doable. You need to be in the zone during lecture and write down all the important points he makes about the history/background of the myths. As for the myths itself, Sparknotes or any other summary source will do. This class is one of the more demanding/hardest grading courses for GE's, so I advise you take it pass/ no pass.

Worst class ever. Was supposed to be on Classical civilization and the whole class was on german philosopher Nietzsche. FML for taking this class.

Lots of reading and small class size so dont expect to skip the nights reading and not look like a fool in class participation is expected and demanded.

Tons of Studying. Don't expect to coast. Exams come exactly from the text. Expect high expectations for translations. Final consists of 2 or 3 pages from the text. All Latin Translation and Grammar.

Patten is hands-down my favourite prof. He's adorably enthusiastic. Very engaged in what he teaches, entertaining, extremely sharp, doesn't condescend. That said, he is the toughest grader I've had at UCSB; he gets a bit of a bad rap because of how high his standards are, but if you ask for help, thou shalt verily receive so ask for help!

One of my all-time favorite professors. If you pay attention to lectures, you'll get an A--and it's not hard to pay attention. He makes the class fun, and he is very into and knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Patten was ok. Made class harder than necessary and I did not enjoy the class as much as I though I would. Quizzes are really detailed so read before section. Everything is written, no multiple choice. Our class was deemed "the hardest" but with good reason. I would recommend taking Greek Myth with another prof who teaches it more interestingly.

Very interesting class and exciting prof! Weekly quizzes are easy and midterm and final aren't too bad if you go to lecture, he gives you all the info you need to know. Books also not necessary at all if you go to lecture except maybe the Odyssey and Iliad which can get confusing but even then, sparknotes sufficed.

class seems easy if you pay attention in lecture and have great memory. but patten seems like he HATES being interrupted and comes off as a jerk when you ask him a question, even if it's after lecture

although class isn't mandatory, you pretty much NEED to attend lecture in order to make sense of the literature. this class "info vomits" greek literature, context, history, etc. and they expect you to "vomit" all that back to them. pretty much testing on how much you can remember whatever random info they throw at you.

Patten is a GREAT professor, but his grading policy isn't, & that's what turns people off to the class. Lectures are mandatory: he tells you everything you need to know in lecture & only tests on lecture material. I never bought textbooks, never did the readings. Got an A+ Take good notes & DON'T MISS A SINGLE LECTURE OR SECTION. Best TA: Barnicle

Not only were his lectures immensely interesting, but he told us basically everything we needed for the tests. He gives us the essay questions before the final, and his TAs are generally pretty cool. I don't know why people are hating. The reading is pretty mandatory, but attendance is not- I barely went and got an A. Attend section however.

The subject is hard but he makes it so much tougher than it's meant to be.

He wasn't terrible; the way he explained things made sense, but he made this class harder than it needed to be.

no longer the easiest class on campus. the prof is boring and difficult. for the final, in addition to multiple choice and short answer questions we have (2) 6 page essays to write. and way to much reading to actually enjoy any of the content. AVOID THIS PROF AT ALL COST