ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all lectures and discussion classes. Students who miss more than two discussion classes may be in danger of failing the course.  Students who attend discussion classes but do not actively participate will get at best a C grade for participation.  Students are required to provide written responses to the Reading Questions (linked from the main course schedule pages) for four discussion classes (see assignments below). Each required response counts for 1.25% of the student’s final grade.  Responses will never be accepted after class, no matter the circumstances.  Students may chose to write up to five further responses.  These will count as extra credit and be worth 1% each.

READINGS for DISCUSSION: Most of these are available on this website. SEE the COURSE SCHEDULE. All students are expected to have done this reading carefully before discussion. Students will probably find it most helpful if they print the source documents and annotate them as they read. Reading Questions (on this website) are designed to help students read actively and critically. All students must submit four sets of written responses to Reading Questions; these responses should be 1.5-2 pages single spaced (or 3-4 pages double spaced) in an 11- or 12-point font. Responses must be submitted in hard copy at the beginning of discussion class on the day they are due. Due dates for:
Students whose last names begin with A-H: 28-29 January; 18-19 February; 11-12 March; 8-9 April.
Students whose last names begin with I-Q:4-5 February; 25-26 February; 25-26 March; 15-16 April;
Students whose last hames begin with R-Z:11-12 February; 4-5 March; 1-2 April; 22-23 April

GRADING: Grades will be based on two midterm exams (20% each: 23 February, 1 April), participation in discussion classes (20%), a cumulative final exam (35%: 6 May) and short in-class or pre-class exercises (5%).  Midterm exams will consist mainly of interpretation and analysis of texts and images, as well as short-answer identifications; the final exam will be essay based.
Students taking this course for honors credit should note that their grade is determined on the basis of two midterm exams (10% each: 23 February, 1 April), a cumulative final exam (35%: 6 May), two 7-8 page papers (15% each), participation in discussion classes (20%), and short in-class or pre-class exercises (5%). The first paper assignment is available here. The second paper topics are located here.