History Journal
/ Group Discussion Guidelines
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Prepare a 700-800 word (about one page if single spaced) write-up. This is to done before your group discussion to inspire a more substantial exchange of ideas beyond the "off the top of my head" approach.
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Copies: make copies available to other people in your group either in paper (when you meet in your group) or via email (sent out at least 1/2 hour before the class meeting the day it is due.
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Weekly submissions: Each journal write-up is due on the day assigned; late penalty applies to delayed submissions.
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Group discussions. You will briefly summarize your points in a group discussion. Note: do not read to others what you wrote. If they like what you said they have a copy of it to read later.
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For the journal submission you will be asked to turn in your write-ups in paper form. For this you will need to have a report cover--no binders please--(standard paper, three hole version and your choice of color!) Journals will be submitted at the end of the term (you'll submit your write-ups & not what others have sent you). Grading will be in two categories--form (did you follow directions, proper grammar, spelling, etc.) and content (did this write-up reveal genuine reading, comprehension & usage).
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WRITING IS THE MIRROR OF THE
MIND. When you want to see what you look like, you look in the
mirror. But where do you look to see what is in your mind? A
reflection of what is in your mind, visible to yourself and others,
is what you write. If your writing is clear, then it shows that your thinking is clear; the converse is also true as unclear writing reveals unclear thinking. Writing is the means of clarifying and refining our thinking. The mere process of writing out our thoughts compels us to have to clarify and structure our thinking. That is why the Department of History requires that a majority of your grade be based on essay exams with the overall intent to clarify our thinking on historical issues specifically and improving our thinking skills generally. |