She's a really great professor. At 1st she was a lil imtimidating but now i think she's great. I was mad at 1st that she didn't care about opinions, but i guess in class like this one opinions don't really matter. The reading is a whole lot, but it's all pretty interesting stuff unless ur a big ole ****. I hope she teaches more of my courses and i'd reccomend her if ur willing to be challenged.

She is enthusiastic, passionate about what shes teaching, and her voice is energetic so you dont zone out. Tests are easy if you pay attention to her in class. You dont necessarily need to read all the articles. Great class!!

If you expect to breeze by with the usual lowered expectations that most professors have of students, then don't bother enrolling in her clases! She is serious about teaching about serious about students learning. I thoroughly enjoyed all the classes I have taken with her, and would only recommend her to students serious about education!

Really great lecturer. Really entertaining. The first test she grades extremely hard but if you talk to her and discuss other material you will do better. She is very fair and the class taught me the most I have ever learned in a quarter. I definately recommend.

Her lectures are very interesting, but I have recommended all my friends against taking her classes because of her hostile attitude and unapproachable demeanor. Quite possibly the most stressful class I've ever taken, and it was not worth it.

Banks is difficult, intimidating, and serious about her work. Not an easy class, although she is a very entertaining lecturer. She asks that students participate. you should, if you KNOW the answer. Don't waste her time. Overall, I became very interested in the subject, and I enjoyed and completed all of the reading, but my grade said differently.

Look, Prof. Banks doesn't play and most won't like her. But she's brilliant and passionate, but she will eat you up if you don't do the reading. DO NOT take a low div class with her but I'd def recommend someone taking an up div course with her. It's intellectually rigorous and interesting. Keep an open mind and a thick skin and u'll do fine

Banks is an absolutely amazing teacher. People that say otherwise are bitter because they did not get the grade that they wanted. I am not going to lie this class is very hard and takes a lot of work. However, I got an A and it is definitely possible to get an A in her class. I have never learned so much from an individual class before. Loved her!

I loved her and this class. The class can be percieved as difficult because she demands a lot. BUT, if you go to lecture and section, you will get a good grade. She is brilliant and passionate. Take this class if you actually want to learn.

Banks comes off strong, but that control is to prevent people from saying ignorant/confusing things. Compared to other classes, reading isnt the most demanding. The material is drilled into you. You read the text, go over it in lect., then go over the same material in sect. If you dont get it by then, you wont. Test are quest from lecture. Nopapers

Professor Banks is great! I took her honors section and she is actually very supportive and helpful if you show her you are serious about your education. She is tough and so is her class, but if you do the reading, go to class, and try to get to know her, you'll do fine and learn so much! She is one of those profs that I will never forget.

Yes she is tough because she expects the best from her students, but she is the best professor I have ever had. Never has a teacher before commanded such attention from an entire lecture hall. Never did a cell phone go off and never did people stroll in late. Best experience I've had at UCSB thus far, this class should be a university requirement.

Honestly, I dont really understand the negative comments AT ALL. if you do the work, you will get a good grade. pople are just upset because the class CHALLENGES YOU. its college. thats what is supposed to happen. she is an amazingly knowledgeable professor. super helpful. I have taken 3 classes with her and would take any more offered.

She may seem difficult at first, but don't let that discourage you. If you do the work, come to class, and read the material (which is interesting most of the time), you'll do fine. Loved this class!

She is a really great professor but is definitely tough. Don't expect to take this class as an easy A for a GE. She expects hard work from students and you will be rewarded if you pay attention, do the readings, and really study. The people who hate her the most are the ones who don't give her the respect she deserves for being an awesome teacher.

Very difficult class. If you do your work you will do fine. her bark is bigger than her bight. a bit intimidating but the class was very interesting. I definitely learned a lot. I wouldn't recommend taking it your first quarter of college unless you are really dedicated. reading is MANDATORY to do well in the class!

Banks expects a lot from an intro class, but that's because she refuses to take away from the merit of Black Studies. If you attend lecture and do all the readings, youll get at least a b. you get a study sheet for both midterms and the final. if you know the answers to those questions, you'll be fine. do the work, actually listen, youll learn alot

Honestly, I don't see why people are so scared of Banks. Yes, she is intimdating BUT she is NOT asking anything unreasonable from students. She wants her students to do the reading and understand the concepts. That doesn't sound too hard. She is an amazing professor and you can learn a lot from her! Loved her 133 class and I'm waiting to take 1!

As many people have said her class is hard and for an intro class it is a lot of work but its college deal with it. She is a great professor you need to go to office hours either the TA or hers. Find the time and put the effort in. Even only getting a B this has been one o my most rewarding classes

Brilliant Professor!! Direct & clear. NOT a class for those looking for an EASY A. Concept driven course...memorization & regurgitation will not help you pass this class. Attend all lectures/sections & go to office hours if you want to pass. Prof. makes time for students. Extremely challenging but it made me a better student overall. I got a B :)

She's a really great teacher. She's direct, gives you what she wants you to take out of the text, and as long as you pay attention, you'll be fine. She makes you read a lot and do study guides, but you really learn a lot and as long as you stay on top of the readings, you're going to be great. Make connections between the texts too.

This Professor is very knowledgeable and cares so much about the material and learning. If you pay attention, follow directions, and do the reading you can get an A. And get prepared for upper div courses where you have to write longer papers, read denser material, and make strong arguments. This class helped me do better in ALL of my courses.

I LOVE this professor! Read carefully. Take good notes. Pr Banks cares about the material and student learning. She has more office hours than anyone on campus and is always available. She expects you to bring it, so do it. If you can't and you think college is one long expensive party, then yeah, drop this class.

Professor Banks is an amazing lecturer! Going to class is important for a good grade. Definitely commands the respect of her students. I was scared at first, but she is actually an extremely intelligent and rational person. She loves discussing things in office hours (if you actually come prepared) and it helps to be on a 1st name basis!!!

The content of this class is amazing, but I wish I had another professor. She's incredibly tough and demeaning. If you need to take it, take time doing the readings and make sure you understand them. Go to her office hours! Always go to class. If you fail the first test, don't give up bc she likes to see improvement and will reward you for it.

The hardest class I have ever taken, but also one of my favorite classes at UCSB. Professor Banks pushed me, but I am forever grateful. 10/10 recommend!

I've taken 2 of her classes and FAILED the first time. She makes expectations known and yes, she's intimidating and has a very high bar, but when visiting office hours you'll quickly see she wants those who work for their grade to succeed. Understand that her exams follow a formula and thought process & you'll be happy with your grade. I got a B+

I think the class is a bit too much for an intro class, super interesting but a bit distracting when you have a ton of other classes. She's a great professor and person once you get to meet her. One of the hardest classes at UCSB I've taken, no lie.

Professor Banks is a stellar educator and individual. Dr. Banks really cares about her students and this quarter she made the transition to online easy. Her classes are eye opening and I encourage all to take a class with her! But do not slack on reading every week, always go to office hours, and ask if you need help as this class has alot of info.