Reading Journal
You should maintain a reading journal in some form. Toward the end of the semester, I will have a conference with each of you and I will ask to see your journal at that time. You can keep the journal in any form that is convenient for you. The essential content should be interactive with the texts being read. This might come in the form of topical outlines, summaries, or notes on specific issues of interest to you. The journal may provide you with cues to topics that you want discussed in class.
Presentation
I will ask each of you to present a week's reading to the class and to lead the discussion. In connection with this, I would like you to write a 2-3 page summary of the text and to draft several questions that the class should examine in order to address the most important issues involved in the text.
Paper(s)
I would like to keep the paper assignment as fluid as possible so that we can address your personal writing needs. You have the option, then, of writing three papers (about 7-8 pages), two papers (about 10 pages) or one paper (about 20 pages). Whatever you plan, I would like to see something in writing prior to spring break. For those writing the shorter papers, this would be the first paper. For those writing the single long paper, this would be a prospectus that identifies your project and sketches your approach.
Updated on January 23, 2003.