Because I believe writing skills are vitally important, you will write more for me than you would in many other introductory courses. Therefore, I make a point of detailing all the assignments at the beginning of the term and will spend a good bit of time in class discussing how to put together a good paper (I will also give you some handouts as we get closer to the first due date). I also like to think that I make my classes and assignments stimulating enough that they are interesting, if not enjoyable, to do.
In all, there will be four short papers. The first should be no more than one two single-spaced pages, while the other three should be between 800 and 1,000 words in length (under three single-spaced pages). Note that although they should all be about the same length, the later ones count more on the assumption that you will do better work the more you learn. The assignments are listed below, and the table at the end of this section summarizes due dates, etc. The final three papers must include material taken from the Internet and Infotrac primarily, though not necessarily, on current issues in the countries you are writing about.
What is political about Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart? Due in class 2/5. Since we will be discussing the paper in class that day, no late papers will be accepted. I will develop an alternative assignment if need be for students who add later or have some other valid reason for not handing this paper in on time.
The more integrated the elite, the easier it is for democratic states to make effective public policy. Discuss contrasting Great Britain with either Germany, France, or Japan. Due: 3/11
Communism cannot survive the pressures imposed by globalization, and it will collapse in China just as it did in Russia. Discuss using evidence from both China and Russia. Due: 4/15.
Third world countries should concentrate more on development than on democratization or other policy goals. Discuss contrasting India or Mexico with either Iraq or Nigeria. In lieu of an in-class final Due in my office by 4:15 PM, 5/13.
Papers must be typed and can be handed in on paper, a disk, or by email. If you submit your papers electronically, please be sure they are in a format that can be read using either Microsoft Word (any version) or Word Perfect (Version 5 or earlier). Please do not fax papers; I do not own a fax machine, and sending papers to the department puts an excessive burden on the staff.
The first three papers are due at the beginning of class on the day assigned (note that I may move those dates back a bit if we fall behind). The fourth will be in lieu of an in class final exam and will be due at the beginning of the block scheduled for that exam.
I deduct one third of a letter grade for each day a paper is late unless I also know that peoples' lives are complicated and am willing to grant extensions for good reasons and if you consult with me before the paper is due.
I also grade participation since you will all talk more than you write on the job. Since I know that some students do not like to participate in class, I try to structure my courses so that everyone becomes more comfortable about speaking. I also give you a number of ways to participate. You can, of course, talk in class. You will also have to participate by posting items to the TownHall site. I stress the quality rather than the quantity of your participation. Finally, I mark participation in a way that if you attend class regularly and do not participate in class discussion, etc. it will not adversely help your overall grade for the course. In other words, participation and regular attendance can only help!
ASSIGNMENT
DUE DATE
% OF YOUR TOTAL GRADE
Achebe paper
2/5
10%
Democracy Paper
3/11
20%
Communism Paper
4/15
30%
Third World Paper/Final
5/13
30%
Participation
10%