I would not recommend this class. Lectures were not well structured and Prof. Gonzales would ask students to explain concepts rather than lecturing herself. Exams were challenging (D+ average) and she discouraged students from coming to her for suggestions or advice on assignments. Any feedback she gave on the final essay was generic and unhelpful.

Of all of the classes I've had at UCSB this was one of the most boring and least engaging. The lectures feel uninspired, and Professor Gonzales is not the best lecturer in general. The tests and assignments often feel more like busy work than tools to learn. Overall I feel that while she is a nice enough person she is not a great professor.

First time having her and she isn't as bad as these reviews make her out to be. Definitely attend lecture because stuff on slides alone isn't enough, she adds great detail to them. There's a paper draft, final draft, one 5pt assignment, and a mc midterm and cumulative final that make up your grade. Try to keep up w readings otherwise they pile up.

-graded on a curve for a weeder class - weeks/chapters 1-4 were a breeze, and then she will drop tough ch.5-6 measurement/sampling on the class 1 week before midterms - she makes simple definitions a lot more complicated than they need to be (YouTube saved my life and showed simple applications of the material; DO NOT just memorize definitions!)

She is a kind professor, but her explanations were often unclear, even for simple topics. Questions were answered in very open-ended ways. The textbook was not very useful since she used her own definitions. Exams were long and included some trick questions.

Graded tests and essays easy. Super good curve. She was nice.