As a fourth-year, this is easily the WORST class I've taken at UCSB. Exams reward reciting Professor Banks' exact “script,” not actual understanding. Lectures are mandatory since slides aren't posted, yet they're often unclear and unhelpful. Overall, the course is difficult and unmotivating. DO NOT TAKE

So unnecessarily hard and the exams were insane for a intro survey course. The two exams were in class essays with no notes or readings available where the expectation was to reference and cite from the 30+ readings assigned over the quarter. The structure of the course prioritized memorization over understanding of the content.

this class is way too difficult to be an intro course. you're graded harshly on only a few assignments and there's over 40 readings across the quarter. there's not much room for critical thinking in this course and you have to pretty much repeat verbatim what she mentions in lecture. you also HAVE to go to lecture bc she doesn't post the slides.

Would not wish this professor on my worst enemy. Grading is extremely unfair, if you do not give the exact answer Banks is looking for your grade will suffer significantly. She definitely plays favorites and is convinced that she knows best. No creativity is accepted in answers, she wants to hear her opinion word-for-word. DON'T TAKE!

For BLST 169CR: Dr. Banks is a great professor. I'll admit, there is a lot of reading and work that goes into her class. However, she truly cares for her students and ensuring that we learn. The course material she requires is interesting and useful. She cares for the success of her students. I can't recommend her enough, just be a good student.

I have never learned so much in a class. Banks is a great lecturer, passionate, and knowledgable about everything she discusses. However, she expects A LOT from you. The amount of work and the difficulty of the material is way above what a normal intro class would expect. I would not take this class again simply because the crazy high standards.