Course Requirements
Winter Term Update:
There is an updated Course
Info Sheet that gives the class schedule and due dates for the
Winter Term.
Participation:
[10%]
You are expected to do all required readings, and to come to class
prepared with questions, comments, etc. Knowledgeable discussion is
key to the success of the class.
“Participation” assignments must be completed on paper and
brought to class for discussion. You may discuss them with your
classmates if you would like.
In-class essays:
[30%: 4 total, 2 per term, 7.5% each]
You will be given a topic or question the week prior, and then asked
to answer a question in writing on that topic at the beginning of
class the day of the essay. In-class essays will be about 30 minutes.
You may discuss outside of class the topic or question you are given
in preparation for the in-class essay. During the writing of the
essay, you are not allowed to communicate with your classmates.
Fall dates of in-class essays: Oct. 12 and Nov. 2.
Winter dates of in-class essays: Feb. 1 and Mar. 1.
Written assignments to hand in:
[30%: 4 total, 7.5% each]
These assignments should be typed, and must be handed in at the
beginning of class (10:10am) on the date on which they are due.
You may not work with, or get help from, anyone else on these
assignments.
Assignment due dates: Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 23, Dec. 7. See the Assignments page for more details on
assignments.
Term paper and class presentation:
[30%: paper and presentation, 15% each]
Students will choose a topic for their project at the end of the fall
term or early in the spring term. I will provide some possible
project ideas, or you may suggest your own.
Due dates:
Jan. 18: Topic proposal and initial reading list. See the Term
Project Ideas handout for possible topics, and what's to be
included in your proposal.
Feb. 15: Detailed paper outline and bibliography.
Apr. 12: Final paper due.
Here are the presentation
guidelines for the in-class presentation of your term paper.
Lateness Policy:
There is no excused lateness except for documented medical, family
emergency, or religious reasons. (Excused absence must be verified by
your registrar’s office.) A late penalty of 5% per week day will
be levied on unexcused late assignments. Assignments will not be
accepted more than 1 week late (ie, no later than 10:10am on the
Wednesday following the due date).
NOTE: I reserve the right to waive the lateness penalty.