Course Requirements
Class participation and attendance
Students should come to class prepared to discuss the daily
assignments. Assignments should be completed before class
on the day on which they are listed on the syllabus. Students
should bring the assignments (or detailed notes) to class along with
specific questions and topics for class discussion.
To facilitate discussion, students must participate in the discussion
board on the IC Courseware page for this class. Students are
expected to login to the discussion board before each day of class
(except exam days and paper days) and post at least one new thread
about the readings for the day and respond to two post by other
students. In class and on the discussion board, all
students are expected to participate in a thoughtful, well-prepared
manner that is grounded in the course assignments.
Participation in class and on the discussion board will be graded by
the quality of participation. Each student may skip the
discussion board four times during the semester without penalty.
All members of the class are expected to reflect critically on
they ways in which they can contribute to constructive rather than
destructive class dynamics. I often call upon students and
may not wait for students to volunteer themselves. Take
notes: you will be expected to incorporate issues raised in
class discussions in your papers and on your exams.
More than two unexcused absences may severely affect your grade.
Students with multiple excused absences should speak to me
about a make-up assignment for their missed participation.
Unexcused absences cannot be made up. If you must miss
class, you should get notes from a classmate before meeting with
me to go over missed material. If you miss a video or other
multi-media presentation in class, it is your responsibility to find
and view the material on your own time.
Papers
You will write two papers based on the assignments and class
discussion. Papers will be graded on the strength of their
argument and use of course materials. Late papers will not be
accepted.
Minimum requirements for the papers are:
- A thesis supported by evidence from primary sources and
information provided by secondary sources.
- A minimum length of 1500 words (approximately 5-7 pages).
- Documentation of all facts, ideas, and quotes taken from other
sources (including lecture and class discussion) using parenthetical
citations.
- An avoidance of lengthy direct quotations from either primary or
secondary sources; students instead should summarize and analyze the
sources in their own words as much as possible.
- Correct grammar and spelling throughout the paper.
Papers will be turned in electronically to the Courseware drop box or
via email.
Exams
There will be one midterm exam and a final exam on the scheduled finals
day. Exams cannot be taken early. Exams cannot be made up
unless there is an emergency. Students in such a situation should
contact the professor and their advisors immediately.