Course Requirements and Assignments

All assignments will be linked here after they are handed out in class.

• First Paper - 10%
  • This 1000 word essay (about 4 pages) will involve a comparison of Eastern and Western monasticism and the effects that each had on the societies in which they thrived.
  • Due 2/5. Turned in via MyDU.
  • DETAILS
• Second Paper - 15%
  • This 1000 word essay will require taking a position on the subject of an in-class debate on the heirs of the Roman Empire.
  • Due 4/14. Turned in via MyDU.
  • DETAILS
• Mid-Term Exam - 20%
  • This TAKE HOME essay will feature both short answer questions and several essays. Will test completion and comprehension of the reading for the first two half of class as well as your ability to explain major course themes. A study guide identifying our themes will be provided for you. Exam is due 3/5. Turned in via MyDU.
  • Study Guide posted here.
  • Exam (posted on MyDU)
• Final Exam - 30%
  • An exam in two parts. The first part will examine the material from the second half of class. The second part will ask one or more essay questions on the entirety of the course.
  • Study guide
  • Turned in via MyDU.
• Primary Source Journal - 15%
  • We will read primary sources in preparation for at least twenty-two of the classes. On fifteen separate occasions, you will need to write AT LEAST one page (300 words) demonstrating your completion of the reading and sharing some of your thoughts on the document(s). I will usually post discussion questions for you to consider and write about.
    • I highly recommend writing for the first three or four assignments or you will regret it later in the semester.
    • I will collect these at the end of each class and return them promptly with a few comments, and a check, check-plus, or check-minus grade. Check-minuses means that they have NOT counted for credit and you will have to do another one. If you write only a few sentences or don't seem to have done the reading, you will not get credit.
    • Keep your graded entries in a separate folder so you can see how many you have written.
  • The goal of these assignments is to have you ready for class. No late assignments will be accepted.
  • You will get 1 point for each check or check-plus that you receive. When you have 15 points, stop, but keep preparing for class (for the sake of your participation grade, if nothing else).
• Participation (and attendance) - 10%
• Participation is more than just showing up, but it starts with just showing up. You cannot participate if you are not here. I will take attendance every day. Unexcused absences will weigh heavily against your participation grade. Here is my attendance policy:
  • Attendance Policy - You may miss three classes. I don't recommend it and you will have to make up the work on your own, but I will not ask any questions. For every class beyond three, you will need documentation to demonstrate the EMERGENCY that kept you from class. Otherwise, you will lose FIVE POINTS off of your final grade for every absence beyond three.
• But participation is about more than just showing up. It's about doing the reading, being prepared to talk about it, volunteering your input, being involved in your group work, preparing for the debates and other discussions, and generally being an asset to the class as a whole.
• Your participation is a significant percentage of your grade. Earn it. Take initiative. Do not expect to speak only when directly called upon and pass this section of the class.
• Finally, being late consistently may be counted as being absent. It will certainly lower your participation grade.