COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION

¨ 15 %: Participation in class discussions.

¨ 20 %: Performance on reading quizzes, in-class writing, and any other small assignments.

¨ 15%: Group oral research presentations of about 20 mins, with 3-5 people in each group. See link for details.

¨ 50%: 9 short response papers, due as listed on syllabus. The responses generally may be written on any readings listed on the syllabus after the due date for the previous response, unless otherwise noted. They should not simply repeat class discussion. If you hand it in before the discussion, that won’t be an issue; if you hand it in after the discussion, you may choose to take an issue we raised further or in a different direction, or you may raise an issue we didn’t cover. These responses should be about 3 paragraphs each, typed, and follow one of the following two formats:

Format A, dealing with just one reading:

Paragraph 1: answer questions such as, Who is this author and where’s s/he coming from? What seems to be the point or purpose? What do I notice about the way it is written (stylistic choices etc.).

Paragraph 2: engage one of the questions of value or contemporary issues raised by this piece of writing; point out how this author raises the issue, and offer your reaction, perhaps agreeing with the author, perhaps arguing, and saying why you feel that way.

Paragraph 3: do the same thing for a second issue or question raised by the author (unless the issue you raise above is stimulating enough that you want to divide it into a couple sub-points that you treat over 2 paragraphs, in which case you may deal with just one issue)

Format B, dealing with multiple readings within a topical unit:

Use your three paragraphs to compare and contrast how different readings within the same unit offer variations on the same issue or theme. How do they approach the issue the same or differently? How did you react to them differently? (In this option, you may structure your paragraphs as you see fit.)

At the top of your paper, please indicate “Format A” or “Format B”, as well as including your name, your campus box number, and the date.