- attention to standard rules of English grammar: This not only assumes that you recognize common punctuation and capitalization standards but that you revise your work to reflect that understanding and express yourself efficiently. If you have questions as you revise, consult a handbook or a reliable online resource, such as the Purdue OWL.
- use of appropriately formal language: Avoid contractions and words or phrases that convey a conversational tone.
- consistent effort on all assignments: From discussion posts and email to short essay responses and group presentations, each assignment and mode of communication between members of the class and your instructor should represent your best effort.
- attention to directions and feedback: Guidelines of length, focus, content, etc. are deliberate. Please follow them. While brevity has its merits, short responses will not receive full credit. Also make sure you understand my expectations as expressed in these guidelines as well as the feedback I give you on your work. Both are intended to make you better communicators and better readers. If you have questions, ask.
- honesty: The work you submit must be your own effort, not that of a friend, parent, or colleague who has a special interest in writing or an "eye for grammar."
Each of these points contributes to a positive overall impression. In the absence of face-to-face time in the standard classroom, my primary means of contact with you will be through your work, at least until we arrive in London. Please aim to deliver your best impression with each assignment and to use appropriately formal language and tone when corresponding with me, especially via email.
This course will be based on a 100-point scale, distributed over five types of assignments:
- short-response paper (10 points, due before departure): This short response paper (1 full, single-spaced page) will allow students deeper engagement with a particular text and favor close reading and textual analysis over research. It must be completed before departing for London (6 June). Students are encouraged to meet with the professor via Skype in advance of the first deadline to clarify expectations and address questions about this assignment. [additional details]
- team field trip exploration (10 points, 5 individual and 5 collaborative): Week three of our stay in London will allow students to collaboratively plan and explore parts of the city in small groups, namely to gather information for the final group project. Students must prepare a single-day itinerary for the trip -- similar to what I present to you for each of our other field trip excursions -- and a budget. Additional requirements will be provided in-country. [additional details]
- primary source project (20 points, 10 of which are due pre-departure): The primary source project provides students insight into the origins of the works we’ll be reading throughout the semester and allows students to continuously contribute their findings on a particular source text. Based on the size of the course, students will work individually on their assigned work, [updated 6/11/19] and at least 10-points of the assignment will be completed before our departure for London. Pre-departure contributions will be collected on the Google Drive and will be evaluated on 16 June. Results from the primary source project will be presented in London when we revisit the works on the syllabus. In this way, students will directly contribute to the discussion during each f2f class session. [additional details]
- research essay (25 points, due before departure for London): Craft a 5-7 page research essay on a topic of your own choosing within the scope of this course, developed either from the short response papers, primary source project, or a related interest in this field of study. All topics must be presented for approval as an abstract (5 points, due 9 June), and all students must meet with the professor via Skype to discuss the abstract (10-13 June if not earlier). You must include at least four critical, scholarly sources in support of your argument. Rely on the resources at your home library to accomplish this part of the assignment. Please schedule an appointment using the calendly link in the contact info at right. Final draft due 23 June.
- in-class and in-the-field discussions (3 points per week in London = 15 points): Active participation is expected on a daily basis in our face-to-face meetings. Preparation includes active, engaged reading of the assigned texts and any additional materials necessary to enhance the understanding of the material.
- collaborative travelogue project and presentation (20 points, due in London): This final project for the course will require small groups of 2-3 students to prepare a digital scrapbook of their work paired with images and reflections on a set of topics running through the readings—travel, politics, gender roles, town v. country, nationalism, etc. Highlights for the digital scrapbook will be assembled in a prezi for peer and instructor evaluation. Multiple components -- including a written preface, presentation, peer evaluation -- described on the course website will provide additional details on the points available here. Students will also be required to record their city ramblings on a google map shared with the class. [additional details]
Please consult the week 2 overview shared on the Google Drive for group and individual assignments for the primary source project and travelogue project.
