The readings will typically be of one of two types. Primary readings, which will come mostly from scientific journals and handbooks, will be descriptions of important empirical and theoretical work in the area. In any case, these readings should provide enough background knowledge to allow everyone to understand and discuss the primary readings. For that reason, attacking the background readings prior to the primary readings is the suggested strategy. Although I will talk a lot this semester, this is a seminar, not a lecture course.
Seminars are less predictable than lecture courses.
Or, if people neglect their responsibilities or are passive in class, seminars can be a painful and awkward grind. Because seminars are a joint effort by the students and the professor, the success of a seminar depends as much on the students as on the professor. You will be required to write a research proposal on any human factors topic. At our class meeting on March 9, you must turn in a one-paragraph abstract that summarizes your topic. If you wish to change your topic after that point, I will need to approve the new topic.