CLASSIC M121
Ancient and Medieval Political Theory
Description: (Same as Political Science M111A.) Lecture, three or four hours; discussion, one hour (when scheduled). Designed for juniors/seniors. Exposition and critical analysis of major thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides, St. Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, and More and questions such as forms of government, citizenship, justice, happiness, rhetoric, religion, emotion. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2026 - DON'T TAKE A SISSA CLASS. EVER. Maybe she used to be decent, but after today's final exam, I will never take a class with her again. This was an unfair class to both students and the TAs. Two days before the final, Dr. Sissa informed us that any reading ever mentioned on the slide show could be on our final exam. The expectation of mastering any other material beyond the required readings on the syllabus was not communicated in time. Even the TAs did not agree with how she handled the final exam. She lacked communication in her expectations and violated her syllabus multiple times. Truly a disappointment in UCLA's Classics Department. On the final exam, two readings were not even mentioned on the syllabus and were on a random slideshow. She expected students to sift through 500+ slides two days BEFORE the final exam. She lacks empathy, consideration, and time management. She does not represent the UCLA standard of teaching. If she had communicated that expectation at the start of the course or even a few weeks before the final exam, that would have been more reasonable and fair. Doing it on the last class session we had together two days before the exam, was cruel. For someone who claims to be a master of Machiavelli, she clearly does not understand the virtues of being a good leader. Maintaining satisfaction with the public (students) is a core element of a positive academic environment. Being ruthlessly cruel with this final exam was the epitome of unprofessional. She needs to update her slides, review these authors herself, and consider adopting their leadership theories to her teaching style. If you want to achieve Aristotle's eudaimonia, don't take this class.
Winter 2026 - DON'T TAKE A SISSA CLASS. EVER. Maybe she used to be decent, but after today's final exam, I will never take a class with her again. This was an unfair class to both students and the TAs. Two days before the final, Dr. Sissa informed us that any reading ever mentioned on the slide show could be on our final exam. The expectation of mastering any other material beyond the required readings on the syllabus was not communicated in time. Even the TAs did not agree with how she handled the final exam. She lacked communication in her expectations and violated her syllabus multiple times. Truly a disappointment in UCLA's Classics Department. On the final exam, two readings were not even mentioned on the syllabus and were on a random slideshow. She expected students to sift through 500+ slides two days BEFORE the final exam. She lacks empathy, consideration, and time management. She does not represent the UCLA standard of teaching. If she had communicated that expectation at the start of the course or even a few weeks before the final exam, that would have been more reasonable and fair. Doing it on the last class session we had together two days before the exam, was cruel. For someone who claims to be a master of Machiavelli, she clearly does not understand the virtues of being a good leader. Maintaining satisfaction with the public (students) is a core element of a positive academic environment. Being ruthlessly cruel with this final exam was the epitome of unprofessional. She needs to update her slides, review these authors herself, and consider adopting their leadership theories to her teaching style. If you want to achieve Aristotle's eudaimonia, don't take this class.
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