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!

She was the scariest woman I've ever had the displeasure of learning from. Her tests were ridiculously difficult- if you memorized the reader then you'd MAYBE pass. I failed all tests, yet got a B on the in class paper- obviously there's something wrong with your tests if that happens. AVOID HER CLASSES.

If you want to pass this class go to office hours. I did not go to hers because she only had it once a week at inconvenient times. TA's will save your grade. Put in a lot of work and did extra credit just to pull off a B. Horrible class you wont be rewarded.

I respect that she has such high expectations and really does want the best for her students. But, as others have said, for an undergrad Intro course she expects you to be unreasonably specific and detailed. Work hard, study hard, do the reading, come to lecture, and you're guaranteed a B. For an A, you better put in twice as much effort.

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

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IF INGRID BANKS IS TEACHING IT. WAIT FOR ANOTHER TEACHER. TRUST ME.

The most horrible class Ever. She was never Clear and the tests (2 mid and 1 final) were essay format, completely out of left field. Dont take if you want an A.

Professor Banks is SUPER intense. For an undergrad class, she expects way too much from her students. There is a lot of reading, and exams are in-class essays. Warning, you WILL use the entire blue book in just a hour and fifteen minute period. Yes, she is very intelligent and occasionally funny, but I never felt comfortable asking her questions.

Before this class I was interested in learning about black studies.Didn't need this class just wanted to take it out of interest.This class has made me never want to take a blst class again. Prof. Banks is a hateful woman.The tests are hard but my disappointment is not with the hard work but with the lack of respect Banks has for her students

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!

Worst professor ever. tells ta's to NOT give feedback on exams. Will belittle you in class if you go to office hours or answer a question wrong. not a bad teacher but a terrible person. also no one got an a on the midterm in a class of 200+

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.

AMAZING lecturer, not so great teacher. Expects her students to be experts in an intro class. I attended every lecture, did all the readings, & studied my ass off, I still struggled. Never gives clear expectations for her tests: BE EXTREMELY SPECIFIC! I won't take anymore bl st classes because of her. Learned EXTREMELY valuable stuff though.

Really really hard class for being a lower division course. However, the things you learn are very INTERESTING and she's a really really smart person. Sometimes funny, but most of all really intimidating :/ I'm scared to ask questions, go to her office hours, or respond to questions in class. Tests are not multiple choice, they are essays.

Worst teacher of all my four years. Rude, inconsiderate, completely out of line. Halted class and berated students in front of the entire room for being a few minutes late or "looking bored". Approached her in office hours regarding a family issue and was yelled at and left in tears. STAY AWAY.

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!

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.

I went to lecture, section, and did ALL the reading. I thought I did well on the midterm, but I got a C. When I talked to my TA, she couldn't explain how she graded it. Instead, she told me not to write an intro or conclusion for the essay portion, and not to interpret or expand on info from lecture. I've never been in a class that discouraged that

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.

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.

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

At first I thought she didn't like me because I'm a white male (and she deals with this in class), but I think it's because I'm a student. Don't take this class with her. I retook it with a different professor and went from an F to an A, literally. Seriously, this class is just bad news. And her TA's were no better!

I enjoyed the material but Banks is way too power hungry. She watches the classes every move & I felt uncomfortable to go to her for help. If you like reading A LOT sign up for this class. Tests were absolutely stupid...every test was at least 3 essays...study guides are helpful but be prepared to study for at least 2 weeks in advance. ridiculous.

Cuts you down before you're done talking (some would consider that challenging, others would consider it absurd). States that all white people are inherently **** (according to her definition). Constantly stutters. Smile, agree, and call her doctor = you get an A. Question her opinion = pray you live long enough to see your grade. Stay away.