FORMAT OF THE COURSE
Although I will lecture from time to time, this will be a discussion class. I like the discussion format because it helps (and sometimes even forces) most students to keep up with the reading. I also feel that discussion classes encourage and enable students to develop a sense of intellectual independence. In a good discussion class, you can't just sit back: you have to jump in and get involved--you have to help in setting an agenda for discussion; you have to help in sorting through the evidence and weighing different interpretations.
For discussions to work, as we all know, everyone must be prepared: everyone has to do the reading, everyone has to review the study questions and handouts, everyone has to have an idea or question in reserve, in case things start to drag or stall. I'm assuming that if you stay in this class, you are declaring your willingness to do those things. (Remember what John Locke says about tacit consent?) Rest assured, though, that I wouldn't ask you to do anything if I weren't sure that you could do it well. Just give it your best shot and you'll do fine.
WHAT NEXT?