Don't take the class online. It hasn't been helpful at all. It was advertised as online via myucla, but in person basically became required to take the class as exams were heavily pushed to be in person even though lectures were still posted online. It ultimately becomes up to the TA how you're graded as someone else noted. The TA I've had isn't bad at all it has just been very difficult to keep up, especially if you have not taken a language before.

Sam is an absolutely amazing professor, I took all three Latin classes with him. He was very accommodating during COVID and BLM protests, and genuinely cared about our mental health and well being. He is such a kind person and a great professor, although latin is not easy and the vocabulary and syntax pile on pretty fast but overall this series was very doable and enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this class with Professor Beckelhymer! He's really passionate about Latin and that can be kind of contagious. He's always willing to answer questions, and help you understand things. If you want to take Latin for a foreign language requirement, it doesn't have any verbal exams, it's all written, which is nice, and Beckelhymer is definitely the best professor to go with.

Pretty easy GE to take. The only thing is that you actually have to read the text because on the test, there are passage identifications. So you can't really read summaries either or kinda skim it so you have an idea of the language and then read the summary. Lectures honestly help with contextualizing certain context clues, but you don't have to go and it is recorded. Lecture quizzes after each lecture (you can miss 3), but it is super short super easy and unlimited attempts until the next lecture. Tests itself are pretty straighforward, some IDs, and then some basic essay type questions. You have to buy a blue book for each test. Will run you a dollar each time. We didn't have a final but we had a final project which, if you decide to do the creative project, is pretty chill and honestly kind of fun. Grading is honestly pretty nice too. Extra credit opportunities per exam, and also he gave us credit to go to the Getty. Emails response super fast. Would take again.

Beckelhymer is great. I wouldn't want to take Latin from anyone else. Very helpful, very understanding. Always engaged in student learning. This class was definitely tough, but he is always eager to help students catch up during office hours.

Really fun and easy GE! The class was super interesting and I never stressed one bit and learned so much about Greek mythology. Professor Beckelhymer did such a great job dissecting the readings so that I was never confused. Two midterms are just FRQ-based with memorizing character IDs connecting themes within stories and using myth analyzation tools. The average was above a 90 on both so there was zero stress there. The best thing too is that we did not have a final and you could choose to do any type of project as long as it pertained to the course readings. He also gave a 2% boost for going to the Getty. Overall, would take again and recommend this class for sure if you need a GE to fill!

It is a rare experience to have a professor for the duration of a year at a large and quarter-system university like UCLA, but as someone who began with Latin 1, it was truly a pleasure to have Sam as a professor for so long. Some people have a gift for teaching, and Dr. Beckelhymer is one of them. Lecture does not have mandatory attendance in the way that discussion does, and yet his insight and occasional diatribes absolutely make attendance worth it (as opposed to just learning from the textbook). Beyond his teaching, he is one of the most compassionate professors I have ever had in my time at UCLA. This was a challenging quarter for everyone, but he handled it with grace. He was a generous grader, and flexible in what would usually have been a steady stream of assignments/quizzes. I am happy that I took Latin for my language requirement at UCLA, but more than that, I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned under Dr. Beckelhymer.
All this being said, Latin is a challenging subject, and under a lesser professor, might have been discouraging. The class is incredibly fast-paced, and if grammar and memorization aren't your thing, I'd consider a different language. If you love patterns and syntax, then this is perfect for you. Here was the breakdown of the syllabus (which was the same for Latin 1-3):
Participation and Attendance 10%
Homework (7 assignments, 2 lowest dropped) 10%
Quizzes (7 short quizzes, 2 lowest dropped) 20%
Midterms (2, in weeks 4 and 8) 30%
Final Exam 30%

I'm currently in Latin 3, and selling an extra Latin dictionary (the Cassell's Latin Dictionary), brand new. Contact ********** if interested. I recommend having a dictionary with you but it is NOT required by the class. And I love Latin classes here! they are the most interesting classes I ever took

Took this class over the summer as part of my PA reqs and this was by far the easiest course ever. That being said, it is an easy A but also super helpful. I am so grateful to have taken this class right before Anatomy and it is paying off! Professor Beckelhymer is such a sweet and genuine person. He wants everyone to succeed and was great this quarter.