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. DO NOT assume that you are making a point that qualifies for 3 points. YOu are better off making too many points, as I will take that into consideration at the end, than too few, which I wil also take into consideration.

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 Bring together two student comments

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

Sections: I have broken the course down into discussion sections, based on the first letter of your last name, so that the volume of discourse does not become overwhelming for you and so that 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. Feel Free to read any section, but PLEASE BE SURE TO POST IN YOUR SECTION. Contact me (samellor@wisc.edu) if you need to have a posting deleted.

THE BULLETIN BOARDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME