A LOT of reading (textbook and outside sources). Quizzes on the reading on blackboard. Quiz questions often used as test questions. Lecture attendance not mandatory, but he does not put his lectures on blackboard. Slow to respond to emails, but very nice if you ask him questions before or after class. Good guy, good teacher.

Can be humorous at times. Tests have large portion based off reading quizzes. A lot of reading, not all of its necessary. I disagree, i dont think he's arrogant at all, he admitted all the time when he didn't know the material (which was fairly often).

I like stratford, he is a great teacher because he is always asking how to make class better. Easy to listen to, has great humor which really lightens up the topic. I would take him again. Class it self it average, not hard, but not easy. You have to write fairly long essays for all exams, but nothing too crazy.

I took his Babylon class. It was a fun class, and small in size so it was very interactive. I think some of the organization of the class could have gone better, but we all told him so at the end of the year, so no worries there. This was an "experimental class. He's a good teacher, and a great guy. Very happy to help you succeed in class.

Really helpful professor but an intense class. Three small papers & three rigorous 10-12 pg papers, which he grades on a professional level & then curves. MC tests are okay, but no study guide. He does his best to make the material interesting but the work load makes this more like a 4 credit class so make sure you have the time before signing up.

This is the weed-out core for history majors, so it will be a challenging class if you aren't used to writing papers. Stratford is always happy to meet with you outside of class and really wants to help you succeed. He keeps class lighthearted and asks throughout the semester how he can improve the class (this is his first semester teaching 200).

This class has been very rewarding. I came in with no background in subject, put in a lot of effort. Stratford is very kind and patient with students, I gained a great deal of respect for him. Class not easy, but worth the effort. Stratford will stretch you in ways you don't want to be, but the growth is so worth it. Excellent class and teacher.

Not an easy professor, but you will definitely learn a lot. Keep up on the reading and the class becomes a lot easier. I didn't read everything, and that stung me, but overall i thoroughly enjoyed the class and subject material.

Professor Stratford is a really fun guy. Lectures were either really boring or super funny. Kind of hard to well in, especially if you're not crazy about history. Textbook reading is a must!

Ditto lectures either really funny or really boring. TAs were awesome, the reviews felt like they were giving us the test itself to study. 500 word responses could be pretty challenging and are weighted heavily but the TAs make the tests pretty easy if you put in the study time so it works out. He was a decent guy, knew we were there for the GE

Stratford is hilarious and incredibly smart. Don't let him fool you- he has a gooey sweet center of kindness and hilarity wrapped inside an intimidating and bitter shell of detachedness. He has high expectations for students but is willing to offer extra help and advice to struggling students.

Stratford is one of my favorite professors that I have had at BYU. I strongly suggest taking a class from him. You will learn a lot, and have lots of fun. His class is not easy, but definitely doable. His expectations are always really clear, so as long as you follow directions you can do well.

Professor Stratford is fun to listen to which helps with listening to the lecture. I loved that he didn't get stuck in one part of the world and did a thorough job at covering the entire world and not just a part of it. The tests were a bit tricky, but if you do the reading and attend the lectures you'll do fine.

Very time consuming GE class. Tests include multiple choice and 4 essays, which can be the most time consuming. Lots of information covered in a short summer term. Class is doable, but expect to do a lot of work. Professor is great, interesting and knowledgeable.

Doctor Stratford's class was one of the first classes I took at BYU and one of my favorites. His tests come straight from the lecture and are written by the TA. A couple of papers but they're not hard at all. Quotes Imagine a world without cinnabons I cant believeyoure all so bad at Arabic

Prof. Stratford is very funny and easy to work with. The problem with his class is that he just goes more in depth with what is stated in the text book. If you feel like reading and taking detailed notes on the 12 chapters of the book, you'll do fine, but skipping class and not reading won't save you.

Great professor who teaches history in a memorableexciting way. Most of what is covered in class is in the book, so while it will help you to go to class and to read the book, when time is short you can just do one or the other. Dr. Stratford is a great teacher and he really cares about students. Go in for help if you need it, and use the TAs.

Take during regular semester, not springsummer. I personally enjoyed the class and would take from him again. Reading quizzes, but they only ask if you did the readings. Lectures are fascinating. He has a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor, but if you like that you'll love him. Tests are A LOT of writing as well as relatively easy multiple choice.

Professor Stratford is a great teacher, but this class was TOUGH. But, I think that has a lot to do with the nature of HIST 200. You are going to have to put a lot of work into this class, but you'll learn a lot and feel pretty competent once you make it through. Stratford has you writing about Old Assyrian - be warned.

Dr. Stratford is awesome, he can seem intimidating but once you get to know him he will become one of your favorite professors. His class is extremely work intensive, but it really pushes you and makes you become a better writer and historian. He is brilliant, and if you take the time to approach him for help he is very willing to work with you.

The class is decent. He's a funny guy, very sarcastic. The whole class i just a bunch of writing though. It's what you would expect from a general class.

His lectures are sorta dry, but he tries to spice it up with some dry humor. Tests are really easy IF you do the review. Without the review, tests will be hard. Lots of reading from the textbook, and lots of papers you need to write.

I loved Dr. Stratford's class. He is very knowledgeable and has a funny and sarcastic sense of humor. The TAs were super helpful! If you go into their office hours, they are more than happy to clarify information and give feedback on papers. The TAs are also so nice--I feel like they actually care about the students and actually want us to learn.

This was an amazing class, and I learned so much! Professor Stratford was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. There were also three TAs who were willing to meet with students and help out where they could. I knew that they were definitely on the side of the students. Edward Stratford made history a delighful and interesting experience for me.

Professor Stratford's class is amazing! I have learned so much from his world history class. The TAs are also great. They are highly knowledgeable, and are willing to help at the drop of a hat and at a moment's notice. They are friendly and kind. Overall, I would recommend this class to anyone!

Professor Stratford tries his very best to keep his lectures entertaining. You can tell that he really loves what he does. Going to class does help, as he will sometimes say things that are not in the textbook. Definitely one of my more favorite professors.

Stratford is hilarious and gives good lectures. I think it's important to show up and listen for information needed for tests. The class was well structured- 4 Units, a test and an essay with each unit, a book club, and weekly chapter readings of about 50 pages with an easy assignment.

You will write a page or two for the reading every day, and at the end of each unit compile those pages into one paper. It's tough, but doable if you stay on top of it. Dr. Stratford is fair and funny. Ask him for his favorite story from history, and his view of the plan of salvation, one is funny and the other inspirational; you won't regret it

Stratford is a great professor. He is passionate about history and tries to make it fun even though the content can be kind of boring. Some of the old ratings are out of date- tests are all multiple choice and pretty easy if you study a good amount. A few papers about primary sources from the text book. Can easily get an A if you work for it :)

Dr. Statford is extremely knowledgeable, and he will push you to refine your thinking and your writing to be precise and professional. His lectures are interesting and funny, and though he is very demanding, he is reasonable if you have done your work. If he makes fun of you, that means he likes you! This class will make 8-page papers seem easy!

If you are looking for a professor to inflate your ego and make you feel smart, go find a different professor. Dr. Stratford is one of the few professors who genuinely cares about his students, and so he really pushes you to be a better writer. I think every student involved in academic writing should have to take him.

So, I don't like history, but I really enjoyed this class. The reading isn't that bad (about 40-50 pages a week), but you have to stay on top of it!! Every like 3 weeks, you have an essay (goes to 4 in total), which can take some time. Attendance isn't necessary, but it is beneficial to go to class. If you don't you'll miss questions on the exam.

I took this class in the morning and he was a great way to start the day, a really sarcastic dude. Class was canceled multiple times. His tests aren't too hard as long as you actually study the textbook and the lectures.

I loved this class! He taught in a way that I understood, and I love that he goes in chronological order.

I loved this class! I love that he goes in chronological order.

He is a funny guy with really interesting lectures. You'll have to write a question each week, and will have 4 essays, 3 midterms and a final. The papers are only 1000-1200 words and the tests are easy if you study. He also does a pre and post test which helps with studying for the final. I highly recommend him! You won't be bored.

If you want easy A, this is it

Professor Stratford was the type to sort of stand on his pedestal of intellect and high vocabulary. He kept his lectures interesting by throwing in a couple jokes here and there. It's difficult to get good grades on the essays, but overall the class is easy.

Professor Stratford's class is well organized and if you do the reading, attend class, and do the study guides, tests are straightforward. Go to lecture, as several test questions will be on things only taught in lecture. The four papers were graded a bit harshly by TA's, and scores fluctuated depending on which TA graded the papers.

Professor Stratford taught us how to write a 12 page (double-spaced) research paper on a difficult topic - a necessary skill for a history major. He provides excellent learning materials, great lectures, and is very approachable if you would like additional help. You won't get a History degree without HIST 200, and I definitely recommend taking him

Easiest class ever. Tests are all multiple choice. Just need to review the power points to ace the test

Stratfords lectures made me genuinely enjoy history, which no one has done before. If youre extra sensitive or easily offended, you might find some of his comments/jokes rude. Class isnt an easy A! Tests are based off random lecture points and the book, though he usually gave us a few extra points after the exam ended.

There's no midterm, tests are easy (as long as you read and pay attention in class), and he's an easy grader. Make sure to do the reading responses. There's a lot of quizzes, but you get 2 chances and they're only 5 questions. He's so funny! He's the best teacher ever! He's interesting and provides engaging material.

He is my favorite professor Ive ever had. His lectures are great, he will provide you with great study tools, and his TAs are well trained. We wrote lots of papers but he gave good feedback on drafts and understood that there would be a learning curve and took that into account. Youll learn a lot about how to write. No real tests.

Professor Stratford is a really fun guy! I took this class online, and he would record little lectures for us to watch. He'd dress up and talk in an accent. The books he assigned were themes relevant to today and helped me get a bigger picture of world history. Because of this, it was not really structured like a typical history class.

I read many of these reviews and was terrified of this class. I don't understand some of these reviews. Prof Stratford is awesome! He approaches the class from a different perspective every semester, and actually makes lectures interesting. Lots of reading, but assignments are not difficult. Would take it again. You will definitely learn something!

Professor Stratford's class is a unique look at early civilizations and is not for those who are looking for a broad approach of the subject. You will read a chapter every week and be expected to write a summary of that chapter along with a primary source. It can be a lot of work at times, but Prof. Stratford is great! Super fun to have as a prof!

He is a really cool guy! Super funny, and I thought he was a fair grader. There was a ton of homework every week, although if you keep up on it, it's not too difficult. He was also really interesting to listen to, and had a very refreshing way of teaching.

Great professor. He is hilarious, in a dad joke kind of way. Really knows his stuff to the point that he makes jokes about the topics that could go over your head if you're not paying attention. Just understand he has a chill style, and you'll do just fine in this class. He's open to talk and is great at answering any questions you have.

He is probably the most funny professor I have had. His humor combined with his love for history really shows as he teaches. The class is not very difficult but there is a lot of information you will run across so it can be very memorization heavy at times. However if you are gonna take this class he is definitely your best bet!

I took this class to knock out a civ 1 credit and actually really enjoyed it. History isn't my thing, but Stratford made the class super fun and engaging. Ill be honest the class was a bit disorganized, but overall an easy A if you can do well on the tests. TAs were super helpful.

Professor Stratford is possibly the funniest teacher I've had at BYU. He is also enthusiastic about history and has extensive experience researching different time periods. However, this class was extremely difficult. Out of 29 students in my class, only 2 received an A. I would recommend taking his class if you love funny lectures and history.

Pro. Stratford is hilarious! He does a great job teaching his class and his tests are not that hard. HOWEVER, you do read a lot in his class. He assigned 3 books to read throughout the semester. If you do take him, be prepared to read.

He tries to be funny, and he is a nice guy. No complaints for the class, and we talked about interesting parts of history.

He's Hilarious! Pretty easy class would recommend

Honestly his History 201 class was one of my favorite classes I have taken at BYU for a GE so far. His class focuses more on the history and patterns of plagues, diseases, and inequality than the regular, boring other history classes. There is not much homework and his tests are super easy if you study. The class average was in the 90's. 10/10

He's funny and the class was super interesting, which is coming from someone who hates history. The only downside was a ton of reading homework outside of class.

Professor Stratford makes learning about history so fun! Class focused on the epidemics and inequality changes through history rather than just a sequence of events. I really enjoyed that, and it made the class more interesting and prevalent to my life. Stratford is funny, easy to reach out to, and very open to students sharing thoughts in class.

I took the section about inequalities and epidemics and it wasn't bad. Prof stratford is super funny and makes class enjoyable. There is alot of readings to do but it wasnt too bad. Tests are online which made it so less stressful. Mondays where with the TA, Wednesdays where with the prof and fridays where online.

Great guy, so fun to listen to. Whip smart also. This class was focused on one Assyrian family in ancient Anatolia, so we read tablet translations. For the paper, we tried to pull together evidence for a coherent story because the letters are usually not dated. Darn Assyrians. Coolest (and oldest) primary sources I've ever worked with.