A mid-term exam should be anticipated for the sixth or seventh week of classes. Both the mid-term and the final exam will be all essay exams. Students may opt for writing a substantial paper in place of taking the final exam after consultation with the instructor.
Students are responsible for keeping track of reading assignments, exam dates, etc.
Class attendance is recommended but not required. Class periods will be used to discuss the assigned reading and to address questions and topics that grow out of that reading. All of the assigned reading is contentious in various ways. Evaluating that thinking is the other part. You should come to class prepared to raise questions about and offer your evaluations of the assigned texts.