Each of the first four assignments will be worth 10% of the semester grade, as will the midterm and final exams. The fifth assignment will be worth 25%. Grades for these assignments will be based on insight, diligence, the completeness of the list of sources handed in with each assignment, and the factual accuracy of database submissions as judged against those sources.
The remaining 15% of the semester grade will be assigned on the basis of in-class participation: 10% of that will be based on a one-time, in-class response to the reading, where students will be called on at random. This means that students should be up to date on the reading at all times, and should be prepared to respond with comments on that reading when called upon.
Grades in this class will not be curved.