Laurel Bowman - University of Victoria

Professor: Laurel Bowman

Department: TBD

College: University of Victoria

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr Bowman was awesome and super passionate about her class. She could get a little distracted sometimes but she always made the course material super interesting.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr Bowman was my favourite prof last semester, she's really passionate about what she teaches. Just make sure to do the assigned readings and keep notes of anything she says in class that seems important but isn't on the slides. The multiple choice tests are simple, but make sure you know your stuff going into the essays.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The class had super interesting material which was easy to learn. The multiple choice quizzes were easy, but the essays/exams were a lot more in depth and harder. She does give the essay topics before the exam day so make sure you practice them all and write out an outline.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Greek and Roman Mythology was a really fun course, all thanks to Dr. Bowman's stories! Her lectures can be pretty disjointed (her lecture slides don't seem to match her stories very well), but the content was extremely fascinating. Grading was pretty easy: two MC quizzes and two in-class essays, plus a bonus if you wanted. Just take good notes!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Laurel is a good prof! She is super passionate and knowledgeable. Tests are SUPER easy, but you must attend class in order to do well because her slides won't help you. In-class essays are harder but just put in some effort and you'll do fine. One problem: sometimes she goes off on boring tangents. Get feedback from from her on essays!!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

An incredibly witty and insightful lecturer. Dr. Bowman is well spoken and knows her subject well. Her interpretation and explanations of the course content goes beyond the call of duty. I enjoyed this course much more than I had expected thanks to Dr. Bowman!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Talks very fast, many students cannot keep up I did not learn a thing

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Passionate speaker, knows what she is talking about, and gives interesting lectures. Two easy in-class quizzes and two in-class essays make up the entire grade.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Bowman was obviously very passionate and well-read about Greek and Roman mythology, and wanted us all to feel the same way, but she probably went about it the wrong way. The lectures were very long-winded and often dull, although necessary to attend in order to pass the in-class quizzes.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Although she was very passionate about mythology, it seemed like she thought everyone knew more than we might have. She got off topic easily, and tried to cover too much once she realized she was behind. Try the class for a week, but there are only 4 assessments that make up your mark. 15+20% "quizzes" and 30+35% in class essays.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Her lectures were sometimes off topic but showed her enthusiasm. The first couple lectures were a bit sporadic but once you get to the gods and goddesses, it's easier to follow. Didn't receive the best feedback on essays, would've liked more; if you write about female depiction instead of male, you'll probably get an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Fun class if you have any interest in Greek myth! The material is super interesting, and Bowman's lectures are usually interesting and humorous. She's often slow at posting her notes (not until a few days before the exams), but there's no final exam (2 m/c quizzes + 2 in-class essays) so going to class is usually the best way to do good here!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GRS328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I've taken several courses with Bowman now and she is one of my favourite profs! You do have to show up for class as she usually has a mini pop quiz at the beginning of each lecture but it's basically just a way of taking attendance. The question is super easy and you get to work in groups. If you're interested in gender dynamics she's great!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Excellent GRS professor! She is passionate about the subjects she lectures on, and has a lot of interesting quirky facts to perk up dry material. Her sense of humour is great, and she's all around a pleasant lady. I like her so much, that I will also be taking greek language with her. Show up to class, prep for exams, and you'll do fine!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Bowman is an energetic, knowledgable prof with a great sense of humour. She truly knows how to keep her students focused in on her lectures, which can be long and on drier subjects. She happily takes questions during class, and genuinely cares about her students. Take the time to outline your essay exams, and you'll be sure to pass! I Love Laurel

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Bowman is a passionate and interesting Prof. Very quirky and often goes off on tangents away from the subject at hand. The course was an easy A if you attend the lectures and have a grasp on subject matter, reading are optional but obviously help to do well. For the most part if you are in class paying attention you'll do fine.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

There were only four tests through the entire semester (two MC quizzes and two in-class essays) and no final exam. She's incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the material. Doing the readings is necessary for the tests, but if you turn up to the lectures and pay attention, it's pretty hard to fail.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Her lectures are confusing and she's not much help when you ask her questions. I emailed her with a question and she replied saying it was in the text. When I asked for more clarification she told me it's not in the text, and made a rude comment about how I should have known. She also goes through slides pretty fast and she's hard to follow.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GRS320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great professor, very good presentation, handouts look great too.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GRS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I found Ms. Bowman to be an OK professor. She loves her work which is nice to see, but her lectures are sometimes disjointed, and she often loses herself in thought. The actual content of the course was interesting however. Taking notes is essential, as she does not post many notes online. If you want an A, you better study more than you expect.