Professor Raley was ok, the class itself wasn't hard, it was hard to pay attention. I felt like she treated the class as if it wasn't a GE and we were all English majors. Overall just make sure you have an understanding of the assignments and you'll do good. Also attendance is mandatory for section, and missing more than 2 will affect your grade.
The materials and lectures are fine, but the professor really ruined the experience as she counts a total grade around 95 as an A-. Don't have a clear grading scale. Very few students get A. Would recommend to take other professors' Engl10 as Professor Raley really overcomplicated this course.
genius and an amazing lecturer and person!
Favorite professor
I have mixed feelings about Professor Raley. She was super generous, cared about her students, and truly passionate and educated on the material. However, her lectures could be boring and it was as if she spoke in essay format. The class was very different than your average English class, but overall wasn't too bad.
Lectures can be interesting but very often get boring and monotonous. Professor Raley is for sure an educated individual and she know's what she's talking about. It's the TA's that make it worse in this class for everyone, as very often they don't seem like they want to be there or know what they are doing. Papers are pretty strange and hard too.
Raley isnt bad, but I feel she overcomplicated the course far more than was needed, considering it's an intro English GE class. Had Jamal Russell for TA and that brother is a monster when it comes to grading, making everything also harder than it has to be.
Professor Raley is actually pretty good. You can tell she is passionate about the topics she teaches. I took the class because I heard it was an easy GE. Big mistake. TA Jamal grades insanely hard is quite bland to be honest. I heard the class itself is easy with other professors. Wouldn't take it again unless I was forced.
You can tell Professor Raley is really passionate about the material & puts a lot of effort into her class -- but she expects a lot from her students. Assignment instructions can be vague & are only given at lectures. Class is doable if you aren't an English major/into writing.
Lectures are so disorganized, she uses a million quotes and expects everyone to understand every reference that she makes. It's not necessarily a difficult course but it's structured poorly, and section is pointless but attendance is mandatory. Every lecture feels the same, and assignments don't really feel like they go with what we are learning.
A brilliant mind overqualified to teach ENGL 10. I'm an English major and this class was difficult for me. NOT an easy GE with her. My friend (not an English major) took the same class with a diff prof and passed with an A. Don't get me wrong, I like Raley! Her lectures would just be better suited for a smaller classroom. (class taken Fall 2017)
Prof. Raley is an absolute gem within the UCSB English Department. Her class was extremely interesting & engaging, with thoughtfully selected materials & assignments. Even with tough concepts, Raley made everything understandable & accessible. Her deep analysis and intriguing connections mean you leave each class with so much to think about. Best!!
She really knows her stuff, and her lectures were interesting enough that I was excited for class held at 6:30PM. She doesn't screw you over by basing your grade on just a couple assignments, there are a good handful of evenly distributed papers. None of the texts were my favorite, but I think they were all effective. I would totally recommend her.
Really passionate prof but if English isn't your major nor passion, it is very easy to lose focus in class. Get ready to overanalyze every text you read. Final requires for you to read every text on syllabus.
I have so much love for Professor Raley. Not only is she an amazing teacher and leads an incredibly engaging class, but she TRULY cares about the material and ESPECIALLY about her students. Go to her office hours - you won't regret it!
Rita Raley is a brilliant human being. My favorite prof at UCSB, hands down! Her lectures never fail to blow my mind, she chooses excellent material, she's great at facilitating section discussions, and she gives incredibly thoughtful advice in office hours. SO thankful to have met her and been in her classes. If you get a chance to enroll, DO IT.
Prof. Raley was an outstanding teacher. I entered the class feeling a bit overwhelmed as the standards seemed very high, even within the context of it being an introductory course. Later on, I realized how fun the class can actually be. You can tell the professor is passionate about what she teaches. She made me love being an English major.
Her lectures are interesting and insightful. I always left lectures with new outlooks. However they are very long, so be ready to take copious notes. Expect a few short papers throughout the term. As long as you attend lecture and understand the readings you'll receive a good grade. You can tell she's interested and truly cares.
This was my second time taking a class with Prof. Raley, and I must say, taking a smaller class with her is a MUST! Participation was basically everything here, and the reading and assignments were incredibly unorthodox, in a GREAT way! Not your usual English class. Very eye opening and her commentary is always insightful. She is an amazing genius!
Prof. Raley IS my favorite professor at UCSB. I have taken multiple classes with her and she has never disappointed. She is by far one of the most intellectual and passionate professors that I have had at UCSB and although she expects a lot, you leave with ten times more knowledge than you had at the beginning of the course. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Amazing professor, engaging lecturer, clear and insightful. We read some of the most interesting and "meta" works that really made me think and want to read more things like "House of Leaves" and "Remainder." (I took this class Fall 2013 though, not sure if curriculum has changed for her.)
She is one of the most knowledgeable professors, very interesting lectures, but they're heavy so take good notes. Several papers, not long to do. If you can read all the texts and come to lecture half of the time you'll ace the final. This class isn't difficult, it's just knowing the material well.
She is very kind and soft. The material is interesting, so are the assigned books, which you don't even need to read in order to pass. Her lectures are a little dull since she is so quiet and reserved. Would recommend this course.
Professor Raley is the definitely the most knowledgeable, kind, helpful and interesting professor at UCSB. Her class focused solely on the readings, so make sure you do all of them. Four papers in total, but very short and easy to do. Go to her office hours if you can! It is amazing to hold a conversation with her. Definitely recommend!