ALL take-home work must be typed, double-spaced, with minimum one-inch margins on all sides, and with pages numbered consecutively. Papers must be properly referenced, using footnotes in Chicago style. For further clarification there are a number of style guides on-line and in print. The standard is Kate L. Turabian, et al. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations , Seventh Edition (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007).
Your papers will be graded for style as well as content, which means your work should be free of typos as well as grammatical and spelling errors. Criteria for grading is detailed in the grading rubric.
Grading: Your grade will be calculated according to the following allocation
- Map assignments: 10%
- Discussion questions (posted to website), attendance, in-class participation: 20%
- Weekly writing (in-class, in groups, take home): 20%
- Mid-term exam: 25 %
- Final exam: 25%
A zero (assignments incomplete or not submitted) in any category will result in a failing grade.
Class Participation: You are expected to come to each class prepared with questions raised by the readings. Be ready to engage in respectful dialog with your classmates about the content and the context of the works proposed for discussion.
Discussion Questions: The course home page is an interactive blog site. You are required to post a minimum of 5 questions and 10 responses to student questions. At least 2 of your questions must deal directly with assigned readings and be posted BEFORE the relevant class period. At least 2 of your questions should relate to course lectures: a) develop themes raised in lecture; b) connect lecture material to a previous lecture; c) explore a connection between lecture and assigned reading NOT already covered in class; d) connect lecture material to current events. Lecture questions must be posted within 12 hours of the end of class. You need to keep track of your posts; you will collate them and reflect on your contributions in writing assignments in weeks 5 and 10.
Weekly writing assignments will vary. They will include both individual and group work in class and at home. Explanations and instructions will be given for each assignment in class. At home assignments will also posted on the class website. Some of these assignments will be quizzes! Stay current with your reading. Other assignments will deal directly with assigned readings, so bring the relevant books or articles to class.
Map Assignments: You will be asked to locate a variety of political, social, cultural and topographical features on a map of Africa. Maps and a list of features to locate are posted on the class website. There will be map quizzes.
Please familiarize yourself with the class policies regarding assignments, late work, email, and academic honesty.