Students cannot get by in this course simply by reading the text. The material presented in lectures represents the core of the course, and receives the strongest emphasis in the exams. For the vast majority of students, simply listening to the lecture does not provide a sufficiently lasting understanding of the material presented. Good notes are therefore a must. Note-taking is a skill that can be developed only through practice.
Good notes are detailed.
When I write out notes for an 80-minute lecture, I can easily generate 10 typed pages of material. You should be able to tell from the lecture itself, and from what I write on the board or illustrate with graphics, what issues are most important to include in your notes. At the same time, your notes should be structured to represent the sequence of the argument or information presented in the lecture. Understanding the logical structure of an argument makes it much easier to remember specific details. I expect you to be familiar with all of the assigned reading.