You are encouraged to participate actively in our discussions and to suggest ideas and materials from your experience and other courses that can supplement the ones we have chosen. In addition to knowledge of contemporary issues and debates, you will have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills in the course, including the ability to read and discuss serious texts and ideas, the ability to analyze film and other visual materials, and the ability to write and speak with some confidence in serious intellectual debates. These are the skills of the engaged citizen and the person who believes that education is a means of improving the quality of our lives and of those with whom we interact. Attendance and participation are essential for success in this course. Course activities include group lectures and presentations, films, panels, and individual discussion sections.
Attendance is mandatory.
Every three or four days we will break the class into discussion sections. These will not be permanent groups, nor will a student meet the same professor each discussion period. Some days we will break the class into two groups for a short period, and then resume the larger class. Students may rewrite the first two short papers. The longer it is late, the greater the reduction.