Why is participation important?: All courses in the humanities are not just about learning information, but also about developing critical thinking skills. The bulletin board discussion is where you get to exercise those skills.

Participation Points: In order to earn your minimum participation points, so that your grade will not suffer, you are expected to post 4 points worth of comments per week during the semester and 10 points per week during the summer.

Different types of comments get different points:

1 point: Make a comment or ask a question about the texts.
2 points: Respond to another student's comment
3 points: Integrate statements by two other students in your response.

High-qualilty, active participation in discussions can raise your grade one letter (AB becomes A).  Minimum participation means that the grade your receive on the final exam is the grade you get.  No participation means that your grade is lowered one letter (A becomes AB).

Netiquette: Don't forget to be polite. Here are some general guidelines for online discussions.

Sections: This course is broken down into discussion sections, based on the first letter of your last name, so that the volume of discourse does not become overwelming, and you have a chance to get to know the people in your group. You are, of course, welcome to browse the other discussions as well. PLEASE BE SURE TO POST IN YOUR SECTION. Contact the instructor if you need to have a posting deleted.