These questions are supposed to help with the readings and provide a starting point for the discussion sections. The readings are critical to the course and the lectures only highlight or augment information found in the readings. The lectures will not summarize or repeat the chapter readings. The schedule of topics lays out precisely which topics are covered every week so students should have no problems keeping up with the course materials. Please read the chapters carefully, and before class, and use the discussion sections to raise issues or questions not covered in the lecture or in need of further elaboration.
All exams are essay questions taken in class.
In addition, every class participant should get into the habit of reading a major newspaper. The instructor will hand out information on how to obtain a student subscriptions to The New York Times. Many students want to save money by reading the NYT on line. In principle, saving money is a great idea, but it is just about impossible to read a thick newspaper like the NYT on line. Since the main thrust of the course is contemporary topics, it makes sense to stay up to date with international news.