Reading notes
Reading is essential for learning in this course. Without a sincere commitment to the readings, you will not learn as much about the many great discoveries you hoped to learn about.
For each reading or film please do the following (and number each of your responses):
1) Summarize the main points of the article. A summary is different than a description! A description states what the article is about (e.g., "The article discussed plant domestication."). A summary identifies the main points of the article (e.g., Plant domestication in North America began approximately 10 kya with maize." [Approx. 3-6 sentences]
2) What is the author's central claim? A central claim is what the author is trying to convince you of. [Approx. 1 sentence]
3) Identify two questions you have about the reading. Number each question. [2 sentences]
4) Identify two things you want to remember from the last class presentation/discussion. Answers such as, "We discussed the Inka and their culture" are a description of what was discussed and does not qualify as documentation of what you learned and want to remember. Number each "thing." [Approx. 2-5 sentences] If you did not attend the last class, please write "Absent" in the space (and note that you will not be able to earn full credit for the Reading Notes).
The Reading Notes are due at the start of each class. Your notes must be typed (single-spaced is fine) and need not exceed one page.
Submissions of less than one-half page usually demonstrate insufficient intellectual attention to the reading and associated concepts and will not earn full credit.
IMPORTANT! When you take the in-class quizzes, you may use your Reading Notes. This is to encourage you to craft useful and accurate notes.
Possible Points:
0.5 Does not meet expectations
1.0 Meets expectations
1.5 Significantly exceeds expectations (rare)
All questions must be answered to receive full credit; thus, if you answered "Absent" to question 4 the most you can earn on the reading notes is .5 points.
For each reading or film please do the following (and number each of your responses):
1) Summarize the main points of the article. A summary is different than a description! A description states what the article is about (e.g., "The article discussed plant domestication."). A summary identifies the main points of the article (e.g., Plant domestication in North America began approximately 10 kya with maize." [Approx. 3-6 sentences]
2) What is the author's central claim? A central claim is what the author is trying to convince you of. [Approx. 1 sentence]
3) Identify two questions you have about the reading. Number each question. [2 sentences]
4) Identify two things you want to remember from the last class presentation/discussion. Answers such as, "We discussed the Inka and their culture" are a description of what was discussed and does not qualify as documentation of what you learned and want to remember. Number each "thing." [Approx. 2-5 sentences] If you did not attend the last class, please write "Absent" in the space (and note that you will not be able to earn full credit for the Reading Notes).
The Reading Notes are due at the start of each class. Your notes must be typed (single-spaced is fine) and need not exceed one page.
Submissions of less than one-half page usually demonstrate insufficient intellectual attention to the reading and associated concepts and will not earn full credit.
IMPORTANT! When you take the in-class quizzes, you may use your Reading Notes. This is to encourage you to craft useful and accurate notes.
Possible Points:
0.5 Does not meet expectations
1.0 Meets expectations
1.5 Significantly exceeds expectations (rare)
All questions must be answered to receive full credit; thus, if you answered "Absent" to question 4 the most you can earn on the reading notes is .5 points.
