Third, active, informed participation is class is expected and required. The last six weeks of the course is primarily dedicated to using the knowledge gained during the first two months to investigate an area of interest to the student. The project can be a traditional research paper, a case study, an experiment, a collaboratory or some other approved project. Since the weight of the project is 35 percent of the final grade, the deliverable must be formidable-well planned and well executed. About 40 hours outside class will be required for this phase and the project must be completed by Exam week or earlier.
Office hours are available by appointment most days.
This course depends heavily on the use of the Internet and email as a normal mode of linking the students to the instructor, to Web-based resources and to each other. All members of the class will be expected to review their E mail three or four times each week. The course packet contains the syllabus and several readings that should be helpful. It also contains an audiocassette that describes the course resources and requirements in more detail than this syllabus. The audiocassette should be listened to carefully.