Materials > Assignments > Overview

General Overview of Course Assignments Participation: This is a seminar class. You are expected to read your assignments carefully and to be prepared to discuss them in class. If I get the sense that people aren't reading, I reserve the right to give an occasional pop quiz. Also, there may be some occasions when we do groupwork in class. Your performance in discussion, group, and on the occasional quiz will be compiled for your participation grade. Reaction Papers: Occasionally (perhaps five times during the semester), you will be asked to write a short paragraph or two (one page) reacting to some aspect of the reading. Your paragraphs will not be graded for the formality of their prose but for the penetration of their ideas. Paragraphs will be collected at the beginning of each class and will be returned the following class with a grade of check plus, check, check minus, or zero, corresponding roughly to A, B, C, and F respectively. Exams: There will be two in-class exams. Dates are given in the class schedule. Exams will consist almost entirely of essay questions. Ample instruction will be given on what to expect on the exams. Group Project: Near the end of the semester you will pair up with one or two classmates to prepare a talk on something Poe-esque. Your presentation should demonstrate your versatility with the themes we've discussed in class. Projects MUST be approved by the instructor.