4.3

William Aylward

Classics - University of Wisconsin - Madison

4.3
Quality
2.3
Difficulty
95%
Would Retake
175
Reviews
4.3
Quality
2.3
Difficulty
4.3
Helpful
4.3
Clarity

95%

Would Retake

175

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official
175 total ratings

5

101

4

52

3

15

2

7

1

0

What Students Say

Classics 370 is basically just story time, it's great

CLASSICS370 - 4.0 rating

Really great professor

ILS203 - 4.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

29%

Textbook Required

40%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A+

95% confidence
Based on 76 grades
Most common grades:
A (52)
A+ (11)
B (5)
Grade Distribution
A(63)B(6)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(7)
Based on 80 reported grades
A: 52
A+: 11
B: 5
A-: 4
Common Tags
Get ready to read (45)
Amazing lectures (22)
Graded by few things (20)
Clear grading criteria (19)
Caring (16)
Respected (9)
Amazing lectures (8)
EXTRA CREDIT (7)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.38 avg change
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Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CLAS300

5.0

(1)

MYTH217

5.0

(1)

MYTH370H

5.0

(1)

ROMANHISTORY

5.0

(1)

CLASC379

5.0

(1)
+37 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ARTH300

4.0

ARTHIST

4.0

CLSCS430

3.5

CLASSICS430

3.3

304

3.0

Reviews (174)
4.0
2.0
ARTHIS304
Apr 12, 2004

Very very boring. Tests aren't hard if you go and pay attention in class. The hard part is staying awake.

4.0
2.0
ARTHIS304
Apr 19, 2004

The exams are easy if you go to class and use the study guides. He talks pretty fast and get side tracked easily.

4.0
3.0
370
Apr 22, 2004

He led my discussion section for mythology. He's very knowledgable, but the guy needs to learn to loosen up. We come into discussion the first day and we have a pop quiz! He's also a "mini-Powell," if you get what I mean

5.0
2.0
CLAS300
Sep 27, 2004

talks really really fast, occassionally boring and really snide about ringing cellphones but funny and intersting. good class

2.0
4.0
CLASSICS300
Jan 18, 2005

No Comments

5.0
1.0
CL430
Feb 19, 2005

really interesting lectures. reasonable expectations. highly recommended.

4.0
2.0
CLA370
Mar 30, 2005

Dr. Aylward isn't the world's greatest lecturer (by any means), but he's very knowledgeable and helpful outside of the lecture hall. His discussions tend to be nearly verbatim repeats of lectures, and lectures very closely follow the book.

4.0
2.0
CLASSICS370
Apr 14, 2005

This man is full of energy and has a good sense of humor. Sometimes he goes a bit fast, but you should be able to keep up as long as you read the book (a chapter each class + a short story a week). The grade is based on 2 midterms and discussion participation. Going to class is a must.

5.0
1.0
MYTH217
Apr 20, 2005

He is a funny and crazy lecturer. He knows his stuff, and the exams are easy. If you understand the book you don't really need to go to lecture. Lectures are interesting, and he always wears a leather jacket to class. Altogether he is a pretty good prof.

5.0
2.0
MYTH370H
May 11, 2005

great class! highly recommended, but study for the final, its worth alot. prepare to scribble like mad to get the midterms done in 50 min. great prof. nice guy. pretty decent for honors credit. READ the readings and the book. memorize the vocab and you'll do fine. RECOMMENDED!!!

3.0
1.0
CLASSICS370
Jun 16, 2005

Easiest class ever. I went to 3 lectures, which were only the test days. Got an A. Lectures are boring and you will sleep guaranteed, don't bother going! Do your reading each week and cram the night before and I guarantee you an A.

5.0
1.0
CLASSICS370
Jun 19, 2005

Easy A. Highly Recommended. If you can memorize stuff, you shouldnt have a problem.

2.0
4.0
CLASSICS430
Jul 11, 2005

He was a very unclear lecturer. Also, I found that when I attempted to go to his office hours he would constantly be rushing the meeting and not answering the question put forth. Gives off the impression that he is much better than all of his students.

5.0
3.0
ROMANHISTORY
Sep 2, 2005

No Comments

3.0
1.0
CLASSICS304
Sep 6, 2005

Easy class, but I was expecting more out of it. Everything you need to know is in the book, by the way.

4.0
2.0
GREEKMYTH
Sep 11, 2005

Good guy, intertaining... Lectured right out of the book. Suplimental notes weren't especially helpful...

5.0
1.0
CLASSICS300
Nov 28, 2005

randomly emphasizes words...very entertaining

5.0
2.0
CLASSICS300
Dec 1, 2005

Professor Aylward is very entertaing. He loves his work and you can tell. He makes little jokes about the material that you will talk about the rest of your time at UW. The material is dry, but Aylward makes it worth it.

3.0
3.0
CLASSICS300
May 8, 2006

I really liked this class. He does lecture straight from the book, so missing class is not a big deal. He's very excited about the subject material, which he definitely demonstrates. Great class and cute teacher, not a bad way to spend 50 minutes....

3.0
4.0
ARTH300
Dec 11, 2007

knows the material well, shows enthusiasm for the subject which makes class more interesting. The midterms are very detail oriented, the campus assignment makes allows you to make up for the midterms. if you have interest in ancient greece take it, if you dont, dont

4.0
3.0
ILS203
Dec 17, 2007

he is a very interesting professor and is good at explaining everything in lecture, but for ILS 203 there is just way too much information he expects you to know for only 50 problem exams

3.0
2.0
ILS203
Feb 15, 2008

Great professor, very interested in material and he gets very excited about random stuff which is hilarious. Talks very fast however, but all notes are online anyway.

3.0
2.0
ILS203
Mar 14, 2008

A very quirky guy, his lectures are kinda boring unless you're really interested in ancient greek art. His tests are ridiculous. Random questions that you have never heard of before. You can get D's on both tests and still get an AB tho.

4.0
2.0
ILS203
Mar 18, 2008

This guy has more enthusiasm for the material than any college prof I've ever had. From the very first lecture you know he loves this stuff to the point of nerdiness. Lectures are fine, but really all you need to do is read the book and you're set.

4.0
1.0
CLASS370
May 5, 2008

A great easy class. If you have ever had any interest in mythology or even if you just like cool stories this class will be a breeze. Memorization heavy but easy. Grading is very fair. Discussion attendance is 20% of grade

2.0
4.0
MYTH370
May 10, 2008

Prof Aylward talks really fast - makes it difficult to take proper notes. He has enthusiasm, but it gets annoying really fast. Spent most of class doing crossword puzzles. Tests aren't bad if you do the reading and go to section. Interesting material, I just didn't like the guy.

4.0
2.0
MYTH370
May 13, 2008

If you are interested in Greek Mythology, you should take this class. Aylward is passionate about what he teaches & his quirky personality keeps lectures interesting. This class is no cake walk, be prepared to memorize a lot of material for the exams. Lectures aren't mandatory & all of the exam material comes from the book and plays. Good class.

4.0
2.0
MYTH370
May 15, 2008

LIT CREDITS AND NO PAPERS! Lectures straight out of the book. General test breakdown: 10% picture id, 20% passages from plays id, 30% term id, 40% essay. Two midterms at 20% each, final = 40%, discussion =20%. Lectures not especially helpful. DOING THE READINGS IS A MUST. Having good memorization skills definitely help. Entertaining subject.

2.0
3.0
CLAS370
May 17, 2008

He is choppy and impossible to listen to. I dont know why I took this class I thought it would be a joke but he makes it hard to even think about going to lecture. Dont take this class unless you are highly interested in the subject.

5.0
3.0
MYTH370
Jun 25, 2008

Solid professor. He's very quirky, but entertaining. Class was basically Greek Mythology story time and decently put together. It's easiest to print out the notes and take notes on that sheet. Class is a must and so is reading (especially for the image IDs). Definitely read the plays/books, and look through the text. The terms are usually big ideas

4.0
3.0
ILS203
Oct 28, 2008

Though he's rather awkward, Aylward clearly knows what he is talking about and has a passion for his subject. Lecture and book go together, lots of reading for section but exams are straightforward - he's not out to get you. Good class, enjoyable professor though you do have to work.

5.0
2.0
ILS203
Nov 23, 2008

He is so funny. He knows the material very well and loves it. His tests are kind of hard, but you just need to read the material. For the final he had us to an essay exam, out of class, so that was super nice. Overall he is an amazing teacher and I would highly recommend taking him.

5.0
2.0
ILS203
Dec 18, 2008

This has been my second semester w/ Aylward and he has once again been a great professor. He is extremely knowledgable and passionate about ancient history and is entertaining to listen to. As long as you do the readings and study the lecture notes he posts you'll do fine in this class.

4.0
3.0
CLASS430
Dec 19, 2008

Class could be boring sometimes but it was worth attending just to watch him. He loves his subject and that makes class infinitely more interesting. Can be difficult, but as long as you understand the readings and study before exams you should be fine.

5.0
2.0
CLAS430
Dec 22, 2008

Interesting and very enthusiastic professor! Tests are easy if you go to lecture and study a little.

5.0
3.0
CLSCS430
Feb 3, 2009

Very informed - he really knows his stuff! His lectures are interesting and his tests are fair. He gave us a multiple choice midterm and later an essay midterm so that people who tested differently were accommodated.

4.0
1.0
ILS203
Apr 30, 2009

Awesome professor. He clearly loves the material, and is just hilarious.

5.0
3.0
CLASC379
May 5, 2009

such a good professor! funny and helpful and REALLY NICE. and dreamy...

5.0
1.0
CLASS370
Nov 14, 2009

I loved Will! Good teacher and very passionate about what he does. You can tell he wants to share his knowledge with others and knows how to do it. Very organized, nice, and helpful. Tests aren't hard at all and material is very interesting. All TAs were good also. Definitely recommend any of his classes.

5.0
1.0
ARTHI300
Dec 15, 2009

He's fantastic. Really passionate so it made it worth getting up for 8:25 power lecture. Really nice and interesting material. I would reccommend ANY class of his!

5.0
4.0
CLS370
Apr 9, 2010

Awesome Professor and really funny which helps when discussing ancient material.

4.0
2.0
CLASS370
Apr 14, 2010

AMAZing Professor. He keeps your attention the whole time and if you study hard for the exams they are really easy, but there is a lot of material covered. Must love Mythology to take this class. LOTS of reading.

5.0
2.0
CLS370
Apr 18, 2010

Aylward is the man and he loves his class. His bubbly personality makes class a go to. His tests cover a lot of information but they are not too bad. There are no papers for this class and you have to read 1 play a week that you go over in discussion. I would definitely recommend taking any class with Aylwad.

5.0
1.0
CLS370
Apr 25, 2010

Awesome class if you need Lit credits. No papers. Everyone says you have to read the textbook and the plays to do well, but the only time I read was the night before the exam. I only used Sparknotes and went to discussion for the plays. Very entertaining professor and interesting subject.

4.0
2.0
CLS304
May 6, 2010

Very entertaining professor, enthusiastic about subject matter. Beware of tests for this class, TONS of memorization required and attendance is mandatory because Aylward uses specific terms in lecture that aren't found in the textbook. Overall, great class for anyone interested in Classics or Roman architecture.

4.0
4.0
ARTHIST
May 11, 2010

He's a lot of fun, and he loves the material. Although attendance isn't mandatory, it's always best to go... not to mention I just naturally wanted to go. I've signed up for another one of his classes because I enjoyed this one so much.

4.0
2.0
MYTH370
May 12, 2010

This guy loves myth, he's so entertaining to listen to. Lectures aren't necessary to attend but still helps to understand ideas. Exams aren't the easiest, but if you study enough you'll do fine. Great class to take for lit credits. You'll find this class fun even if you don't like myth in particular

5.0
4.0
CLAS370
May 13, 2010

Very Helpful Professor. Has a great passion in Myth and wants his students to do well. Discussion section readings are a must! textbook - not entirely crucial.

5.0
3.0
CLA370
May 16, 2010

Loved this class, and loved this professor. He has so much energy and is quite funny. I had little interest in Greek myth before this class and this professor has me wanting to get a Classics certificate! There is a lot of reading for this class, but the exams are okay -- essay, terms and images are easy but passage identification can be tricky.

5.0
4.0
AH304
May 22, 2010

I love professor aylward! He is my favorite professor at UW-Madison to date! It is crystal clear that he absolutely loves what he teaches. Although he can get a little flustered sometimes, it's only because he gets really excited about what he's teaching. Papers are easy A's, but exams can be tricky.

5.0
1.0
CLAS371
Jun 4, 2010

Prof. Aylward is a gem. You may think he's awkward at first, but he is a diamond in the rough. His baby blue eyes are captivating and I could listen to his soothing voice all day. Take his class, you won't regret it. Seriously. MMmmmmm.

4.0
2.0
CLCL
Nov 17, 2010

He is amazing- and gorgeous. I wish I could take every classics course with him infinitely.

5.0
1.0
CLASC370
Mar 22, 2011

This is the third class I've taken with him and he is fantastic. Not only very good looking, but so passionate about what he's talking about I can't help but be engrossed also! Love him and his classes!

4.0
2.0
CLSIC379
Apr 17, 2011

I enjoy his lectures, even if I do the crossword every day. He sends out a study guide before the tests, so it's really easy to get a good grade. He absolutely loves what he teaches, but he sometimes gets so excited about the subject he forgets where he was going, but he really knows his stuff. If you don't want to read the book, just go to lecture

5.0
3.0
CLSC373
May 11, 2011

Amazing prof!! Really knows what he is talking about and it is clear he loves teaching and what he teaches. If you read the text book it will give you more than enough information to get an A on both the Midterm and Final, however the class was a lot of memorizing it was rather enjoyable and I am taking another class from him next semester!

5.0
4.0
ILS203
Nov 3, 2011

He is a wonderful professor! He's so adorable and clearly loves what he does. He makes the class very, very interesting. It's the only lecture I look forward to.

2.0
2.0
ILS203
Nov 28, 2011

He's a nice guy, but I found his lectures didn't really add a whole lot to the class. Interesting subject matter, although he focused way to much on the archaeology side of the course, and on his tests had no mention of any social or cultural things that were in the book. That being said he was pretty easy, but there are much better professors.

4.0
4.0
CLSCS430
Dec 14, 2011

Provides online reading and a reader that's about seven bucks - not too bad. Always sends out study guides, which are really helpful. Sometimes cancels classes. Very engaging and always open to questions during lecture. Has awesome hand gestures. Knows what he's talking about, too.

2.0
3.0
ILS203
Dec 15, 2011

Didn't like this professor. His lectures were very unorganized. He canceled lectures frequently and as a result material wasn't covered in class but it was still on the tests. Tests were always a guessing game. I wouldn't reccommend this professor.

4.0
3.0
CLAS430
Jan 9, 2012

Great professor! Covers material well. If you don't feel like going to class, this isn't the class for you! Tells you exactly what types of things will be on the test. You're prepared if you put in the effort. General memorization of material

5.0
1.0
CLA430
Jan 9, 2012

My absolute favorite professor. He is so passionate about his material. Sometimes he gets off track and really jumpy but it's only because he's so excited about the material. He prepares you extremely well for tests and makes it easy to get an A in his class. His lectures are extremely interesting if you like the ancient world.

3.0
4.0
ILS203
Jan 23, 2012

I would not recommend this class, unless you really need it. The textbook readings had almost nothing to do with the tests or the class in general. I wasted so much time reading that textbook... Also, he canceled class 5 times and had us watch 3 videos that were two hours long that weren't on the exams either. Nice guy, but I dreaded that class.

4.0
3.0
ILS203
Jan 24, 2012

Such a fun and interesting class. He's a great guy, but misses class a lot.

5.0
2.0
CLA430
Feb 3, 2012

By far my favorite professor!! He is funny, and he's clearly passionate about the material. He makes it interesting and easy to remember, so tests are fairly easy to get an A on as long as you go to class. I would definitely suggest taking his class.

5.0
2.0
CLASC370
Apr 12, 2012

I absolutely adore Classic Myth. It's the best class I've ever taken. Aylward is incredibly engaging and hilarious. He's very knowledgable, and passionate about myth as well, which only adds to his charm. He says the funniest things, and I find myself laughing in lecture all the time. Take this class!

4.0
2.0
CLA370
Apr 17, 2012

Aylward is a really good professor who clearly loves what he's doing. If you buy the textbook you'll find that his lectures are right out of it which makes things easy when he gets off-topic during class. Overall great guy, nice to look at and really funny.

4.0
2.0
CLASC370
Apr 18, 2012

Aylward's passion towards classical myth tends to rub off on you, and taking this class really gave me appreciation for the subject. It's a pretty easy class; lecture's aren't really necessary as he pretty much lectures out of the book. That being said, his lectures are funny and engaging. Great professor

5.0
3.0
CLAS370
Apr 27, 2012

Fantastic professor. His wit and passion truly rubs off you. He's easily excitable when he speaks about his passions--particularly Troy. His powerpoints/slides are not at all detailed; however, he's quite articulate. Read the book or at the very least the vocabulary list after class. It elucidates material before heading to his office hours.

5.0
3.0
CLAS373
May 17, 2012

He is an awesome professor. Genuinely interested in his subject and is very inspiring. The exams were kind of difficult though so be sure to read the text thoroughly. The papers were really easy to get good grades on. I started the class with a D on the first midterm and ended with an A because of how well I did on the papers.

5.0
1.0
CL370
May 22, 2012

Great professor! One of my favorites at UW Madison. He is extremely knowledgeable-especially in terms of Troy/archaeology. He's actually been to Troy to excavate. He is a fair grader and really wants you to succeed. You must take him at least once!

4.0
2.0
MYTH370
Jul 20, 2012

Textbooks are a must, since his exam questions include identifying art pieces from the book, vocabularies from the book, and identifying context. Discussions are mandatory and based on reading materials. Funny and engaging man, loved his orange Converse.

5.0
3.0
ILS203
Dec 7, 2012

ILS 203 is a fantastic course. You discover the origins of Western Culture by learning the most interesting parts of ancient history and reading classic literature. I loved it.

5.0
1.0
ILS203
Jan 23, 2013

Professor Aylward was always entertaining and his exams were easy. If you followed along in lecture and studied the pictures and captions in the textbook you would do fine. His interest in the subject is what makes him a great professor.

4.0
2.0
ILS203
Jan 25, 2013

Prof. Aylward was awesome! Very passionate and intelligent in what he taught. Very outgoing and understanding. It was easy to follow along with what he was saying. Exams are easy if you come to class, read your textbook, take notes; there are no trick questions thrown into the exam. TA's are good too.

4.0
2.0
CLA304
May 10, 2013

Match the pictures from the book to ones he shows in class, know the details about those pictures and you'll do great. Hes a nice guy, but if you go to office hours it seems like he is not focused. Entertaining guy, enjoyed the class.

5.0
3.0
CLASSICS370
May 24, 2013

Professor Aylward was extremely engaging and funny. His lectures were pretty much straight from the book, but were still interesting. He is very knowledgeable about mythology and wants others to find the topic interesting, too. The exams could be a little hard with pic and quote ID, defining vocab, and essays. I would recommend this class though.

5.0
2.0
AH304
May 25, 2013

Lecture only course with three exams. Lecture is really interesting if you're into Roman art. Exams are short answer (right or wrong responses) and an essay. The exams were based solely on what was in the textbook, limiting necessary studying. Aylward seemed like a cool cat, passionate and knowledgeable about his field. Good class. (AH304=CL304.)

4.0
2.0
CLAS370
May 31, 2013

Good professor whose lectures are pretty entertaining. He provides notes ahead of time, but they are very disorganized and difficult to follow when studying later. The tests weren't too difficult, he is very straightforward with what is on the tests ahead of time. Recommend the class, interesting material.

2.0
3.0
ILS203
Sep 30, 2014

The subject matter he teaches in ILS 203 has the potential to be really interesting, but Professor Aylward has a very roundabout way of talking. IT is difficult to pay attention during lecture because he pauses often in the middle of sentences. Lecture is not necessary just make sure to read your text book when assigned.

3.0
3.0
CLASSICS300
Grade: B
Dec 4, 2014

Dr. Aylward is a witty, passionate professor. He makes every lecture interesting and presents the material from the textbook in a power point presentation. There are 3 exams, including the final. On the exams, you are tested on information about the images he presents in class and about general topics that are discussed in the textbook.

3.0
2.0
ILS203
Dec 13, 2014

Aylward is a passionate and brilliant professor. He really knows his stuff. He also is very clear about whats going to be on exams so if you put the work in (which isn't a lot) you'll do well. I did find lecture a little disconnected from exams, also the reading list is a little long. Overall would recommend.

4.0
2.0
ILS203
Jan 7, 2015

going to lecture was pointless if you read the textbook. the tests are very straight forward and you'll do well if you read the books, even though its a lot of reading. also discussion is mandatory which kinda sucks

4.0
1.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Jan 20, 2015

so easy, i went to the first few lectures and never went again, read the textbook and you'll be fine. discussion helps a lot too. a little bit of studying for the midterms and you're golden. easy a.

3.0
2.0
203
Grade: A
Jan 22, 2015

Relatively easy. Honestly skipped class half the time but still easily passed. All the guidelines for the midterms and final were clearly explained ahead of time. Just make sure that you read the textbook well and go to discussions, as well as read the assigned books.

4.0
2.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: A+
Apr 21, 2015

Professor Aylward is clearly passionate about classical myth. His lectures are entertaining because of his goofy stories and descriptions. His exams are easy if you review the textbook and do all the readings that are assigned.

5.0
3.0
ARTHIST304
May 6, 2015

Totally loved the class. Only grades are the 2 midterms (blue books) and final, but he changed the final to a collection of shorter take-home essays because he thought a 7:45am final on Mother's Day was ridiculous. Midterms based off of infopics in the text. He's passionate about the subject and oftentimes throws in some humor (think dad jokes).

4.0
3.0
CLASSICS370
May 18, 2015

This class is great if you are interested in Greek mythology. You learn a lot and Professor Aylward is very enthusiastic about the subject. Lecture attendance isn't necessary, as everything on the exams is covered in the textbook that you read. Not necessarily an easy A, as there is a quote id section on the midterms and final which can be hard.

5.0
3.0
MYTH370
Grade: A-
May 19, 2015

GREAT professor! He was clearly passionate about mythology and his enthusiasm for the subject was contagious (he also wears cool leather jackets). Lectures sometimes were long a bit boring but overall good. Read the textbook and you will do just fine-- the exams follow the terms quite closely. Be sure to study the pictures in the booklecture!

4.0
4.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: B+
May 23, 2015

I came to his lectures because he's the most interesting and most passionate professor I've ever seen. The material sometimes got dull but he kept it interesting. If you don't love Greek mythology, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. But if you love the subject, you'll love this professor.

3.0
3.0
304
Grade: B-
Jul 20, 2015

Aylward's course was sufficiently interesting; though, the lectures were usually hard to follow. He definitely knows what he's taking about, but his ways of thinking and teaching don't really fit the norm... and not in a good way. Like a humanist angel, he made the final a take-home. William Aylward, praise be unto him.

4.0
2.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: A
Oct 3, 2015

King of Dad Jokes. Classics 370 is basically just story time, it's great. I also took him for ILS 204. Don't take ILS 204 with him. He's way too passionate about the subject to teach a survey course. He gets too bogged down in anecdotes. Classics 370 was a blast though. He's a good story teller and tests were easy. Socially awkward but a nice guy

3.0
3.0
CLASSICS430
Nov 18, 2015

I have taken this Professor for three semesters in a row now, starting with ILS 203 (Western Arts and Literature), and then Classics 370 (Classical Myth), and now Classics 430 (Troy: Myth and Reality). This is a great professor. He knows everything, is willing to talk with you (in office hours), and he is absolutely hilarious. Gives great lectures.

4.0
3.0
CLASSICS430
Nov 24, 2015

I loved listening to his lectures because he obviously is very invested in his work and is also very knowledgable. He has an interesting sense of humor and it may not be appreciated by everyone. There was lots of reading to do for my class and the only way to get some of the information was to go to lecture.

4.0
2.0
CL430
Dec 14, 2015

He is an amazing professor, who is very passionate about his class and work! His lectures can be long and boring but tests are easy. 3 tests, all blue book. He is easy to approach and he is really sweet! Would definitely recommend taking this class or any class with him! The textbook will help you if you don't go to class.

4.0
1.0
CL430
Grade: A+
Jan 12, 2016

Aylward was great. I have a strong interest in Classics, so this course was very fulfilling for me. Lectures could be a bit obtuse, but generally followed the mandatory reading word for word. Reading was an absolute minimum (10-40 pages/week). If you have any interest in Classics, take a course with Aylward!

4.0
4.0
ARTHI300
Grade: Rather not say
Nov 3, 2016
Would take again

Prof Aylward is super passionate about his work and makes hilarious dad jokes throughout class --but this class was extremely difficult for me (someone who has never studied Greek/Roman/anything of the sort before. Tests were so hard and no matter what i studied I would get 20points below avg. You are expected to know the most minute details- ugh

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
4.0
3.0
ILS203
Dec 13, 2016
Would take again

Really great professor. Makes a lot of dad jokes during lecture. Grading on exams really straight forward, which makes studying easy. He does ramble on occasionally and can forget what he's saying from time to time, but it's not that bad.

Get ready to read
Hilarious
3.0
3.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: B+
May 4, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Look, it's an easy class. Do what you're assigned (60ish pages of reading a week), make a few quizlets, go to class and you'll get an A. The lecture is fun, and it is really like story time. I have to be real though, the guy just doesn't seem to care about students. He blows off questions and is not approachable.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
TEST HEAVY
3.0
5.0
CLAS370
Grade: B
May 9, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Took the class based on a recommendation from my advisor. Good god, don't take this class unless you love greek myth. I was apathetic towards it, and memorizing 120 terms along with quotes and pictures every midterm is really, really annoying. They are very strict about terms ( you can't just write the definition) so the first exam tanked my grade

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
4.0
4.0
CL370
Grade: B
Nov 14, 2017
Would take again

Aylward is a real life Rick Sanchez. He's very excitable and fun to listen to, but you don't need to go to lecture. What you need to do is read the textbook and assigned plays. Sparknotes won't cut it (learned the hard way). Make two-sentence flashcards of all characters and key terms as you read. If you do that (and like Greek myth) you're golden

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
TEST HEAVY
5.0
3.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Nov 29, 2017
Would take again

Lecture isn't mandatory but very entertaining. The tests are easy if you make quizlets and do the reading. There is a lot of reading but it's an easy read and is actually interesting. Discussion sections are mandatory but are extremely helpful and help consolidate the material.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Would take again
5.0
1.0
CLASSICS100
Grade: A+
Dec 12, 2017
Would take again

Classics 100 is literally easier than most high school classes I've taken. All of the exams are online essays and are only 1000 words which is basically nothing. Its easy to get 100 on weekly assignments while barely even reading the spark notes for the books. If you actually want to engage in the class tho, his lectures can be pretty interesting.

Respected
Tests? Not many
EXTRA CREDIT
5.0
2.0
CLASSICS100
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2017
Would take again

Do what is assigned and you will have a very high A. Lectures can be somewhat difficult to follow at times but are very interesting. Great professor, very good about giving detailed but easy to follow instructions and giving information ahead of time.

5.0
3.0
ILS203
Dec 21, 2017
Would take again

Professor Aylward is a great professor. He was very clear about what would be on the tests (which were pretty straightforward after this information) and cares about his students. Lectures were enjoyable, but pretty close to the textbook with a tangent every now and then. He certainly seems to be excited about his field. Overall, would recommend.

Respected
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Dec 24, 2017
Would take again

Really nice guy who is passionate about his subject. He gives very clear directions for how the tests are laid out and reminds us of that on multiple occasions. He is the type of person to go out of his way to do good for the students and that is appreciated. An A is attainable with a little work and dedication without feeling totally swamped.

Respected
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
3.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 24, 2017
Would take again

He is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about what he teaches, and lectures were great unless you find the topic boring. One part of the exams is identifying quotes, so relying on sparknotes alone isn't helpful. If you do the readings and pay attention in discussion, class will be manageable. Class is based off of 3 exams and discussion.

Respected
Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
5.0
3.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 28, 2017
Would take again

Professor Aylward is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about what he teaches. This class grade consists of 3 exams (each 25% of grade) and participation in discussion. If you do the textbook reading, lecture probably isn't necessary, but I enjoyed his enthusiasm. If you do all readings and discussion, getting an A or A/B is doable.

Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
Would take again
4.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Mar 14, 2018
Would take again

Graded mostly by an in-class essay, which is graded fairly highly. Make sure to be prepared for discussion, and you should be fine. There is a lot of reading, so you may want to read a few stanzas of Homer to see if the class interests you.

Get ready to read
4.0
2.0
CLASSICS100
Grade: A
Apr 5, 2018
Wouldn't take again

funny lecturer, clearly knows his stuff but can be confusing at times with the detail. Easy a class though, everything was online

5.0
2.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: A
May 29, 2018
Would take again

This class is a must-take if you love Greek myth. Professor Aylward's lectures really do feel like story time. He clearly lays out what's expected of you, and the TAs are always there to help. Make sure you read all the plays (and not just Sparknotes) and skim through all the images in the textbook.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
CLASSICS300
Grade: A
Dec 11, 2018
Would take again

Professor Aylward is obviously an expert on his material, and the lectures felt more like story time than a lecture because of his enthusiasm for all of the art. Recommended readings tend to show up for essays on the exams, and he provides a detailed study guide for each of the three exams which are very helpful. Overall, a fantastic professor.

Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CLASSICS300
Dec 12, 2018
Would take again

He was a great professor! He really cared about how the students did in the class and wanted everyone to succeed. The exams are a bit tough, but he provides all the material you need to know in lecture. Going to lecture is VERY important.

Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
5.0
3.0
CLASSICS300
Grade: A
Dec 20, 2018
Would take again

Aylward and his lectures are FANTASTIC. Going to lecture is important if one wants an "A" - tests can be pretty specific. His study guides are very helpful, however. Great professor!

Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
CLASSICS304
Grade: A
May 9, 2019
Would take again

Prof is very knowledgable and clearly loves what he's teaching. You're graded only on 4 exams, but he gives you study guides well in advance and tells you exactly what to expect. He obviously wants all his students to succeed and is accessible if you need anything.

Respected
Get ready to read
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Dec 20, 2019
Would take again

Professor Aylward is a real gem at UW-Madison, ILS 203 was a very interesting class and helped me learn so much about Greek, Trojan, and Roman history. The class is just reading three books essentially and the tests all pertain to the reading. I recommend reading the books and you will be fine on exams. Great prof. and would take it again!

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Caring
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 24, 2019
Would take again

Hands down one of my favorite professors. He is enthusiastic and passionate about classics, making the lectures interesting. The tests are relatively specific but are graded generously. I would definitely recommend!

Inspirational
Graded by few things
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
CL370
Grade: A+
May 10, 2020
Would take again

Absolutely wonderful professor. His lectures feel like story time and he offers extra credit opportunities left and right. He seems to genuinely care about this students and want them to succeed, and can make even mundane topics interesting. 10/10 would recommend love u william

Inspirational
Caring
EXTRA CREDIT
5.0
1.0
ILS203
Grade: A-
Oct 29, 2020
Would take again

Professor Aylward is the best professor I've had at UW so far. Funny guy, interesting lecturer, really knows his stuff. Literally just show up to class and sparknote the readings and you'll get an A/AB. I received an AB in the class and didn't actually read a single book. The only grades are participation and tests. If you study you'll be fine.

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
CLA370
Grade: A
Jan 7, 2021
Would take again

Offered extra credit, accommodating during online transition. Quirky, enthusiastic and knowledgable professor. Super entertaining lectures and manageable exams. Answered emails quickly! If you like mythology, you'll absolutely like the class. Warning: lots of reading of Greek epics and plays but doesn't take long (2 hr a reading a week).

Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
4.0
ARTH300
Nov 3, 2021
Wouldn't take again

EDITED: I previously rated Aylward pretty low because he can make things confusing in lecture and because you're only graded on three exams and one paper. However, he ended up offering an extra credit paper that massively boosted my grade. I wouldn't take a class with him again - the lectures and material were still too dense for me.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
EXTRA CREDIT
4.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 13, 2021
Would take again

Professor Aylward is awesome. He is pretty scatter brained but is pretty good at setting clear expectations for exams. There is a lot of reading for this class but that can be expected with a lit class. The exams are super easy, I didn't even read the Odyssey and I got 100% on the exam.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 24, 2021
Would take again

This course only requires you to read the book and understand what the main characters have said and done. The lecture is telling the story behind books, which is very interesting, but if you just want to meet the credit requirements, you can skip it.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
5.0
1.0
ILS203
Grade: A+
Jan 24, 2022
Would take again

I wasn't expecting to like this class that much, but it was honestly my favorite class last semester. Professor Aylward is so passionate about the subject and lectures were always interesting and helpful. The reading can feel heavy sometimes, but discussions were super helpful for understanding the texts. Definitely recommend!

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
CLA304
Grade: A
Jan 26, 2022
Would take again

Great guy. Lectures are a little rambling but give great information and aren't too long or boring. Only three exams and one writing assignment, so make sure you're reading the textbook and supplementary readings, but content is not difficult and he really wants you to succeed. Gave multiple extensions and opportunities for extra credit.

Graded by few things
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
CL370
Grade: A
Apr 14, 2022
Would take again

Such a good professor! Clearly passionate about what he teaches. Gives very clear information about what is expected on exams, which aren't that hard if you take an hour or two to study. Makes me excited for his class because of his enthusiasm. Also SUPER knowledgable about this subject and that comes off in his teaching.

Get ready to read
5.0
3.0
CLAS370
Grade: A
Apr 20, 2022
Would take again

Prof. Aylward is a fantastic lecturer - it feels like listening to an engaging story for 50 mins. He's energetic, knowledgeable, and has clear expectations for tests. In the honors section, he puts in extra effort to make students feel appreciated, & to make class fun - we've done two field trips! He clearly cares about the success of each student.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
2.0
CL370
Grade: A
Apr 30, 2022
Would take again

Professor Aylward is extremely energetic about the content of his lectures so it makes it more fun. Fairly easy class and exams. You could never go to lecture and still pass this class with flying colors. Using Sparknotes for the readings was also sufficient enough for me to get an A.

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
CL370
Grade: A
May 7, 2022
Would take again

I really enjoyed this class. It was for a literature credit, so I was a little nervous, but Prof. Aylward got so excited for the content he was teaching that it almost makes you excited to learn. If I could take another class again with him I would.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
5.0
2.0
CL370
Grade: A
May 9, 2022
Would take again

Prof Aylward is one of the best professors I have ever had! His lectures are engaging and every class feels like story time. If you take the honors credit with CL370, it's super easy and engaging. Teaching style is very casual and easy to understand. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone in need of a literature credit.

EXTRA CREDIT
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
1.0
CLAS370
Grade: A
May 17, 2022
Would take again

Professor Aylward was excellent! He is very passionate about the topic, although he rambles a little bit. The discussion posts and tests are very straightforward, so you'll be fine if you do the readings and go to class. Definitely recommend taking this class if you want an easy class for a literature credit.

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Graded by few things
5.0
1.0
CL370
Grade: A
May 24, 2022
Would take again

I love Professor Aylward! He's very passionate about the material. As long as you do the readings, the tests (two in-class midterms and a final) are simple. The honors section of this class is very fun, and he greatly encourages discussion. There is admittedly a lot to read, but I think it's manageable so long as you organize your time.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
4.0
3.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: A
Jun 21, 2022
Would take again

Great professor! His slides during the lecture were kind of confusing and hard to follow but he explains them quite well. The exams were straight forward and the weekly assignments for the online discussion were pretty easy and interesting to learn about.

Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
CLAS370
Grade: A+
Sep 7, 2022
Would take again

Professor Aylward was inspirational and accommodating. His lectures were easy to comprehend and very interesting to learn about. He was easy to contact and very accommodating with any potential problems that came up throughout the year. The material was fun to learn and the exams were reflective of learning the material. Would take again!

5.0
2.0
203
Grade: A
Oct 27, 2022
Would take again

Not boring and actually enjoys what he is teaching about

5.0
1.0
203
Grade: B
Jan 5, 2023
Would take again

I personally greatly enjoyed this course. You read 3 books (I used spark notes primarily) and the grade consists solely on 3 exams based on the books and discussion attendance. very well made study guides. just attend discussion and make good study guides and you will do fine.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Test heavy
5.0
1.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Jan 16, 2023
Would take again

Professor Aylward was so passionate about the subject and his lectures were interesting. We read three books (I used litcharts) and the grade was based on the 3 exams and discussion participation. He would send study guides before every exam and the exam follows them entirely so just review those. I only wish he posted the slides or lecture notes.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
5.0
1.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: A
Apr 7, 2023
Would take again

Graded on 3 exams and participation in discussion. I absolutely love this professor, he is passionate and lecture isn't boring to me. I would read the books because you need to identify specific passages on the exam. Also go over all the pictures you see in the chapters for the exam to identify characters. Fun class! Professor is a great guy.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
CL370
Grade: A+
Apr 15, 2023
Would take again

Excellent lecturer. Bought the honors section pizza. Very kind guy, makes a class with a large workload accessible. I would take anything he taught. Three exams -- two midterms and a final. Honors class has pop quizzes about 7 times a semester. Fair grader, study guides in advance, clear on what to study. Great class and person.

Gives good feedback
Respected
Graded by few things
4.0
2.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: A
Apr 18, 2023
Would take again

Professor Aylward is overall a great person and instructor, and the class is a very easy literature credit. However, his lectures are often very disorganized for note-takers, and it becomes very easy to lose focus. The course is graded only by 3 exams, which are relatively easy as long as you read the textbooks.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
3.0
304
Grade: A-
Apr 21, 2023
Would take again

Clearly knows his stuff and has a sense of humor, but lectures are disorganized and his passion lends itself to a lot of background info you don't need to know. You can take the exams based on his lectures, but I was able to just read the textbook and get a similar result. He hands out a specific syllabus for each exam which makes studying easy.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
CL370
Apr 21, 2023
Would take again

The class consists of 4 grades, participation in discussion section and the three exams. I think the course was very fun and lightweight. You will need to read a lot, but you don't have any real assignments. Exams are straightforward - he will make sure you succeed in the course. (Don't take if you don't like myth).

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
1.0
CL370
Grade: A
May 2, 2023
Would take again

Favorite class in college. Prof. Aylward is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about the class material and his excitement when discussion it is contagious. Have to read an ancient Greek play every week for discussion, but the content is very interesting and thought provoking. The way he answers your questions also makes you feel very appreciated

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
2.0
CLASSICS370
Grade: A
May 3, 2023
Would take again

Aylward is a top 3 professor. Lectures are incredible and he is very passionate about classics. Every week, you read two chapters from the textbook and one epic/tragedy/comedy, but as long as you write down the highlighted vocab terms, take notes from summaries of readings, and TAKE DETAILED NOTES DURING LECTURE, you'll be fine. Fav class on campus

Amazing lectures
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
370
Grade: A
May 4, 2023
Would take again

Professor Aylward has thus far been the best professor I have taken a class with here at UW. He is extremely passionate about the topics he teaches and never fails to hold your attention in class. Exams are very straight foward and clearly laid out, and, as long as you read the textbook and tragedies, notes during lecture are non essential.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Sep 13, 2023
Would take again

His lectures are super interesting and he's very passionate about what he teaches! There's also a lot of reading but it's manageable if you spread it. Tests involve quote identification and short essays but aren't difficult if you do the readings. (If you're in his discussion he buys you pizza at the end of the semester!)

Amazing lectures
Respected
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
203
Grade: A
Oct 18, 2023
Would take again

hes so nice and gives study guides and he gave us halloween candy . 5/5

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Caring
4.0
3.0
ILS203
Grade: A+
Nov 30, 2023
Would take again

Professor Aylward is super great! I took his Honors Section and he is super knowledgeable and helpful if anyone has questions. This class is A LOT of reading but overall I would recommend taking this class if you have an interest in the topic

Get ready to read
5.0
3.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 12, 2023
Would take again

I loved this class! The course is centered around 3 books, so there is a lot of reading. Your grade is made up of 3 exams (one for each book) and an attendance/participation grade. The exams are fairly easy and straight forward as long as you do the readings and review the study guides.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 16, 2023
Would take again

One of the best prof. I've had! Incredibly caring and receptive to questions, and is THE person for teaching greek/roman myths. He often bring up thought-provoking concepts which I appreciate. Read three classics for the class (which might be a lot) but they are very interesting imo. Exams are straightforward and have very useful study guides.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
3.0
203
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 17, 2023
Would take again

Eccentric and passionate. Cares a lot about his students and the course. A lot of reading, but the exams are pretty straightforward.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 22, 2023
Would take again

such an engaging lecturer, you can tell how passionate he is about what he teaches. lots of reading but as long as u keep up with the reading and lectures, the tests are pretty easy

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Test heavy
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A+
Dec 24, 2023
Would take again

Very passionate about what he teaches, and lectures are very engaging. The tests were very easy, and the TA's were all very good and helpful. Overall, this class was super interesting and engaging, coming from someone who does not read real literature or is very interested in history. HIGHLY recommend taking this class with Dr. Aylward!

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
5.0
1.0
CL101
Grade: A
Jan 6, 2024
Would take again

I took Aylward's FIG and although the content was extremely boring, he was overall a nice guy. Class is very skippable if you do the readings on Canvas and his tests are straightforward - his exam guides lets you know exactly what to study. He is always willing to take any questions also he might get mad if you come to class late

Clear grading criteria
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
5.0
1.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Feb 19, 2024
Would take again

He was really nice and wanted us all to succeed. I was not scared for my grade at all however it was a ton of reading. Be ready to read 100+ pages every week. The exams are entirely based on the reading however I would not say they are hard. Maybe you could get by without reading and just doing spark notes.

Get ready to read
Caring
Respected
5.0
2.0
CL430
Grade: A+
May 17, 2024
Would take again

Professor Aylward is very passionate about the topic so his lectures are very interesting and informative. You are graded on 3 exams (30% each) and one paper (10%). A lot of the materials are from lectures of the readings (which are free). I would recommend taking this class for easy credit as long as you are willing to go to lecture.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Oct 28, 2024
Would take again

Professor Aylward is super engaging and passionate about the material. While there's a lot of reading, the exams are manageable if you stay on top of it. Unstuck study was a lifesaver for study prep - highly recommend this class!

5.0
2.0
CL430
Grade: A+
Dec 22, 2024
Would take again

Hands down the best professor I have ever had. The sole reason I declared a certificate in Classical Studies. His lectures are engaging, the tests are straightforward, he is beyond clear about expectations. All you have to do is attend class and take good notes. I cannot express enough how amazing he is!

Gives good feedback
Inspirational
Caring
5.0
1.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 23, 2024
Would take again

Great professor! Reminds me of Jarvis Cocker from Pulp.

Inspirational
Caring
Accessible outside class
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Jan 7, 2025
Would take again

I highly recommend this class! I'm a stem major who only took this class to fulfill a literature requirement but I'm so glad I did. Professor Aylward's clear interest in the topics made the lectures more interesting and discussions felt like fun book clubs. As long as read the content, pay attention in class, and study a bit, the class is a breeze

Get ready to read
5.0
2.0
CLASSICS370
Mar 15, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Aylward is really entertaining to listen to! I don't think he ever breathes during lectures because he's clearly passionate about the material and wants us to learn as much as possible. You do have to read one play a week for discussion sections but I didn't think they were too bad. Tests are easy if you take notes of everything he says.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
GREEKMYTH
Grade: Not sure yet
May 1, 2025
Would take again

Very entertaining- I absolutely loved his lectures. His passion for both the topics and teaching is indisputable and made me look forward to coming to class. His expectations are clear and exams are an easy format. Sure, there's a lot of reading but they're rather interesting and not chores at all. He makes me wish I was a Classics major!

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Hilarious
5.0
3.0
CLA304
Grade: A
May 3, 2025
Would take again

Professor Aylward is an incredible professor whom you should absolutely take if you can! His lectures are incredibly engaging and he clearly is super passionate about teaching, as he's always sprinkling in fun extra facts that really endear you to the topic. He is very clear about expectations and is super willing to answer questions. TAKE HIM!! :)

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
ARTHIS304
Grade: A
May 4, 2025
Would take again

Aylward is a super fun professor. His lectures can be a little scattered at times, but overall very interesting to attending (especially difficult for an 8:30 am class). Cracks jokes sometimes during lectures (ALWAYS hits the mark). Grades rather leniently and fairly. If you enjoy history, you DEFINITELY should take him.

Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
GREEKMYTH
Grade: Not sure yet
May 4, 2025
Would take again

He was a very engaging lecturer and truly showed a lot of enthusiasm for classics! I highly recommend him as a professor because his lectures are always interesting.

4.0
1.0
GREEKMYTH
Grade: A
Aug 5, 2025
Would take again

The class is easy if you know basic myths. He's clearly passionate about what he's teaching so it makes his lectures more interesting.

Get ready to read
5.0
2.0
CLA304
Grade: A
Oct 21, 2025
Would take again

Aylward is awesome! I took 304 to fulfill a lit requirement and now I'm considering a certificate in classics because of Aylward. He doesn't post his slides, so you kind of have to go to lecture, but he's so engaging and funny I didn't even mind. I was in the honors discussion section with him and he always had interesting stories and fun facts.

Get ready to read
Hilarious
Caring
4.0
3.0
203
Grade: B
Nov 24, 2025
Would take again

Really nice guy! Lectures are really boring but have important info closer to the test dates. Only things in the gradebook are the the three tests and participation. He kind of rambles lowkey but hes so nice and cares a lot about what he teaches! Really approachable and is super helpful when you need it.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Graded by few things
4.0
1.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 2, 2025
Would take again

Professor Alyward is super passionate about what he teaches and you can tell he cares about the material. That being said, lectures are very boring and you could probably get by with reading the spark notes and looking up flashcard sets on quizlet. He gives out study guides which are really helpful and overall I would recommend the class!

4.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 3, 2025
Would take again

reading heavy class but Aylward is awesome! he is really passionate about the content and lectures are engaging. We read odyssey, illiad, and aenied and each book has its own exam (no culminative final which was nice)

Get ready to read
5.0
3.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2025
Would take again

Aylward is the goat. enough said.

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
ILS203
Grade: A-
Dec 9, 2025
Would take again

Lectures aren't always relevant to exams, but the discussions make up for it. Clearly is very knowledgable and passionate about what he teaches, and is a fun guy to talk with. Lots of reading that can be confusing, I suggest reading summaries to better understand before reading.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Inspirational
5.0
2.0
ILS203
Grade: A
Dec 10, 2025
Would take again

actual goat he is very passionate about what he teaches and i always attended lectures bc he made them interesting. not a super hard class just a lot of reading (i like greek/roman mythology though so it was p fun for me). sparknotes summaries will be your friend for this class

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
2.0
CLASSICS120
Grade: B+
Dec 22, 2025
Would take again

I loved this class, not going into the field or anything just took it for credits but I'm glad I did. I love when a professor actually shows the passion they have for topics and that is exactly him. I genuinely learned a lot and I could put this class on the back burner when I got busy. Highly Recommend.

Inspirational
Respected
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
GREEKMYTH
Grade: A
Dec 29, 2025
Would take again

I took his class last spring and still can recite the greek mythology I learned. I am not a classics major yet I loved the class so much. He is one of the best professors I've ever had. Do yourself a favor and sign up for one of his classes. What an amazing professor!

Amazing lectures
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

29%

Textbook Required

40%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A+

95% confidence
Based on 76 grades
Most common grades:
A (52)
A+ (11)
B (5)
Grade Distribution
A(63)B(6)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(7)
Based on 80 reported grades
A: 52
A+: 11
B: 5
A-: 4
Common Tags
Get ready to read (45)
Amazing lectures (22)
Graded by few things (20)
Clear grading criteria (19)
Caring (16)
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EXTRA CREDIT (7)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.38 avg change
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Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CLAS300

5.0

(1)

MYTH217

5.0

(1)

MYTH370H

5.0

(1)

ROMANHISTORY

5.0

(1)

CLASC379

5.0

(1)
+37 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ARTH300

4.0

ARTHIST

4.0

CLSCS430

3.5

CLASSICS430

3.3

304

3.0

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