Assignments & Grading

2 short papers:  30 %  (15% each)

        * 1 primary-source analysis: 3 pages
        Due in class on Jan. 20, this short essay should be a critical analysis of a single account of an early Christian martyrdom.  You should employ some of the questions and techniques described in "How to Read a Document."  Set the text in its historical context, and find out something about its author (for this assignment, relevant encyclopedia articles will suffice); expose its biases, interrogate its agenda. This is partly intended as a "warm up exercise" for your main research paper.

        * 1 book review:  1000-1200 words    Model Student Book Review
         Due in my office Friday, Feb. 26 by 4:00 pm.  Click on the link for further instructions on writing a book review.
 

15-20-page research paper: 40 %
Includes timely fulfillment of several assignments in preparation for the final paper:

        * Initial project statement - Due Wed., Feb. 3
        * Revised project statement and partial bibliography - Due Week 8 when you meet with me individually
        * Paper outline & partially annotated bibliography - Due Wed., March 17 (in class) or Friday, March 19 (in my office)
        * Writing workshop sample - Due Monday, March 22 or Monday, March 29
        * Rough draft - Due Week 14
        * Panel presentation
        * Final Draft - Due in my office
 

Preparation & Participation:  30 %
Includes attendance, contribution to class discussions, article report presented with a partner, & 3-5 short response papers

       *Thorough preparation for and active participation in weekly discussions is crucial to the success of this seminar.  Please plan in advance at least two blocks of time (minimally five hours a week outside of class) when you can do the required reading and weekly writing assignments.  This is not a class you can prepare in an hour or two late Monday night!  Moreover, since we meet only once a week one unexcused absence will significantly affect your participation grade, and more than two unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the class.

Policies

        In writing papers, be certain to give proper credit whenever you use words, phrases, ideas, arguments, and conclusions drawn from someone else’s work. Failure to give credit by quoting and/or footnoting is PLAGIARISM and is unacceptable. Please review the University’s honesty policy at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.htm

        Late work will not be accepted without penalty.  Please make every effort to apprise the instructor of adverse circumstances that affect your ability to complete assignments on time.  Official documentation is required to schedule make-up assignments.  Forged or invalid documentation will be investigated and presented to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs for review.

        Please do not hesitate to contact me during the semester if you have any individual concerns or issues that need to be discussed. Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drp/).  The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodation.