She's really great. Very passionate about the material. I also got to be in the honors section/seminar with her and knew her better in that context too. Her lectures are funny and she is very energetic, even though my lectures were at 8am. She will call you out for sleeping in class. Be prepared to participate in lecture too. Good class.

Bottom line, she changed my life.

Blake is a great professor. People just refuse to do the readings/don't want to be there. She is very knowledgable on all of the material and draws connections between it and current topics which makes the class way more interesting. The readings are completely necessary if you don't have the ability to retain everything she ever says.

Probably the most frustrating prof I've had. I never felt like I understood what she wanted, she had us write an op-ed that is actually an essay, and there is no rubric to know what she wants for the group project. Office hours maybe could help, but I feel like you shouldn't need to go for EVERY assignment.

So many readings: long books, articles etc. weekly. She is a really tough grader and is very picky when it comes to essays and what she expects. Dont take this class if in need of GE requirement, its not worth it. Nice person tho

I feel bad because if I had put this class higher on my priority list, I probably would have done better. However, there was just too much reading to keep up with that left some of the readings undiscussed or less discussed then others. The class is really insightful if you're able to put your all into it, but it was overwhelming with other classes

Professor Blake is one of the best professors I ever had at UCSB! She is so caring and gives phenomenal feedback on everything whether it be a paragraph, a thesis statement, or a paper draft. She made every text so interesting and her lectures are so enriching. She is very approachable and makes every student feel special. Take her if you can!!

Blake is that professor you never forget, you're gonna want to pay attention to her. She's brilliant and relates text to real life in an entirely seamless way. Take her for every class she offers, she'll give you an experience you'll keep referencing back to. I hope she continues to teach forever, she's one of the good ones.

Blake is seriously an amazing professor. She is so intellectual and really knows what she is talking about in class. If you take a class with her I guarantee you will learn something that will shift your perspective on how you see the world around you. Every sentence she speaks is so articulately crafted!

Wrote my honors thesis under the supervision of Dr. Blake. She was the most reassuring and compassionate professor I have ever been in contact with, and her feedback and brainstorming sessions gave me the confidence I needed for my work. Also took her class on prison literature which was phenomenal. She is truly a one-of-a-kind, amazing professor.

Taking this class is the best choice i made all summer. Blake makes the class interesting and engaging and this is from someone who didn't care about black studies. There is a lot of reading, but is very doable considering I'm a slow reader. Take this class!!! Or English 50 with her, Blake is amazing and will help you. Covers WRT, ETH, and ENG GEs

Dr. Blake has a great energy to her lecture style that makes me genuinely look forward to her class. She has greatly broadened my viewpoint on racial identity and culture and inspired me to pick up a minor in Black Studies. I would take any class she is teaching.

As an English major, she probably taught my favorite class I've taken on the subject at UCSB. She lectures enough, but doesn't overtake and allows time for response. The novels chosen are interesting and the discussions about them really help clarify the material. Overall one of the best classes I've ever had.

This is a professor that will not only change your intellectual mindset, but your entire life. She has one of the most passionate, helpful, caring, beautiful souls. She will inspire you, nurture your interests, and blow your mind. Taking a class with her is basically the best thing that can happen to a person. TAKE HER EVERY CHANCE YOU GET.

She is not only an incredible educator but just a super amazing person. She really cares about her students and does everything she can to help you succeed both in and out of the class. Her classes are not for those who don't give a sh*t and just want an A for doing nothing. Great discussions and wonderful collaboration with the whole class.

Amazing professor. She will change the way you think about everything. So intelligent, so caring and helpful. It would be a mistake to not take at least one class with her. Highly, highly recommend.

She is an amazing professor. People are only giving bad reviews because they wanted to get an A for doing nothing and not going to class!! She is SO brilliant and extremely helpful. You will learn so much. Do not leave UCSB without taking a class from her! She is very fair and will give you the grade you want if you do the work.

Bad teacher. Bad grader. Class is mandatory but extremely boring and not pertinent to writing the essays.

One of the best professors at UCSB! She may be young but you can immediately tell that she is extremely intelligent and passionate about her work and the class. She is very helpful and uses a variety of materials to introduce topics. I learned more in this one class than most of the rest combined. Highly recommend. Very fair grading.

brilliant, such great insight.

Very insightful professor! I really enjoyed this class and her teaching style. I would love to have her again for sure.

Blake is a really cool person, you can tell that she is very bright through her charisma. She is also very sweet and understanding. However, as a teacher, she is boring and all over the place. Her lectures are extremely unorganized. I would say the class is difficult because it is so abstract. I would agree- it really is more like black studies.

I was not looking forward to this class until i showed up. The class was full of insight and she allowed students to give input and express opinions. She was very helpful and clear with her lectures. Midterm and Final were take home essays, 2 essays 3 pages each. GREAT CLASS! interesting and passionate

Most annoying class ever. Lectures are so boring and disorganized, she writes on a projector slide as she goes and then you try to study but the only notes you have are a random list of phrases. Also class seems more like black studies and not womens culture