Some of those experiences are the lives of exceptional people, some of ordinary people. Some are great cataclysmic events such as revolutions or wars. I realize that within a few months after a course most students will remember only a small fraction of the content of that course. Thus in grading I give less weight to remembering facts, and emphasize instead the mastery of skills in research, analysis, organization, and expression.
Attendance is required.
Lectures include slides, music, videos, and information not available elsewhere in the course. Please come on time. Arriving late distracts me and disturbs other students. If you must come late or leave early, sit in the very back rows. Rather, I focus on more specific issues and aspects in an attempt to model how someone can interact with the material and find it relevant.