KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVEThe material in this course is not an undifferentiated stream of information; there are major themes and minor themes, major points, minor points, illustrations, and silly asides. Don't just memorize the details of each case; know what each case illustrates.READING ASSIGNMENTSAdios your highlighter. The most important parts of readings often are not highlight-able. I strongly recommend writing summaries of each article, chapter, etc. as soon as you have finished it. Keep up with the readings. When the syllabus lists a reading for a given date, make sure you have read it by class on that date. My lectures assume you have done the readings. If you have not done the readings, you will not always understand the lectures. Note that the time required for the readings is not uniform throughout the semester; some weeks are light, others heavy. I will try to remind you when longer readings are coming up, but you should also take the responsibility of looking ahead.
FACTOIDSThroughout the course you will be presented with several "factoids" consisting of names, dates, figures, or brief statements. These may be provided in class, or on the website under "Messages." On each quiz you will be awarded points for showing that you have memorized these. You won't have to explain factoids on the quizzes; you just have to know them. It is on the exams that you may have to discuss their significance. Factoids may recur on later quizzes! (You don't have to know the sources of the factoids -- those are just listed in case you want to know where they come from.)COME TO CLASSI don't take attendance, but I don't think anyone has ever done well in this course
without coming to class regularly. DISCUSS THE MATERIAL WITH USI have office hours twice a week, and I am always available for appointments or by email. The TA's are very knowledgeable too. |