What is this
course about?
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Your grade will depend on your performance on three exams - two during the regular semester and one during final exam period. The final will not be comprehensive but will instead cover only the last 1/3 of the course. Exams will consist primarily of short-answer, mostly multiple-choice questions based on readings and on material covered in class. If you are not able to take an exam you must call me before the exam is given to let me know that you have a problem; any exceptions will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to make up the exam if you do not give me some prior warning. Makeups will be given in case of illness, family emergency, or in cases where you can demonstrate that you are unable to be in class for other legitimate reasons. I reserve the right to require a written note verifying the reason for your absence. I will make every effort to accommodate your needs if you have a legitimate problem or conflict and if you take some responsibility for the situation by keeping me informed. Studying for exams Although some memorization of basic facts cannot be avoided, in many cases you need to know the how and why and you need to be able to reason your way through a question in order to figure out which answer is correct. Read the questions carefully and put some thought into your answers, and you will stand a much better chance of success. I often find that students pick the wrong answer simply because they didn't read the question carefully enough. Also, when studying, keep in mind the following: the best indication of whether you understand a topic is your ability to explain it to someone else. For most of the material covered in this class, I find that students who can explain how a process works are able to answer any questions I might ask. Students who try to memorize facts without really understanding what they are memorizing are likely to run into trouble. If you are trying to assemble the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, it's a lot easier if you know what the pattern is and can fit the pieces into that pattern. Try turning all the pieces upside down and solving the puzzle without being able to see the pattern; it's a lot harder and your chances of success are not as good. Start with the main themes and the large patterns when you are studying, and the smaller details will be a lot easier to remember. You would also be well advised to find someone else to study with, or
at least to find someone else who is willing to listen to your explanations
while you are studying. Make sure you know at least two or three other
people in the class on whom you can rely, and you improve your chances
of success.
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