Freie Universität Berlin

I want this class to be a good learning experience as well as an enriching intellectual journey and all course requirements are geared towards encouraging that. If you have any questions regarding these requirements and my rationale in setting them, please talk to me. I do not negotiate, but I am happy to explain.

Overview

In order to get participation in this course certified you must:

• complete the required readings and actively participate in the class sessions
• be present at all three writing sessions (should you be unable to attend you MUST contact me before the class!) and prepare oral comments on the papers submitted for these sessions

In order to complete the class with a grade you must

• complete the requirements for participation (see above)
• complete all three writing assignments in time for their respective deadlines (!)
• re-submit all three writings assignments in one PDF and possibly revised no later than September 30th, 2016.

Writing assignment details:

• 1st assignment
• 2nd assignment
• 3rd assignment

Some explanations

The sessions of this course build on each other – sessions later in the term are not independent of earlier sessions. Knowledge of the texts is essential for high-quality class discussion. You are therefore strongly encouraged to read all texts and attend all sessions. Please do not attend sessions to which you have not read the texts: There will be no repetition of the contents and arguments for those who have not read the text. As a general rule: If you do not have the time to read the text (happens), then use the class time to get up to speed with your work and come back prepared the next week. It is more fun for everyone that way.

Because this is an English language course, I have split up the “Hausarbeit” in three separate parts (writing assignments), which you will complete during the semester. We will discuss these papers in class (hence three writing sessions). You may then revise your papers and must re-submit them to me. If your “Prüfungsordnung” only requires a shorter paper of approx. 3000 words, you must only complete assignments 1 and 3. Please contact me early in the semester if this is the case!

You will receive one grade for all three papers, which are considered a “Hausarbeit”. What is the rationale? Three main reasons for this structure are particularly important: (1) Shorter assignments may be easier to get done in English. (2) We can talk about your texts in class and you can improve them to get a better grade. (3) By July, you are practically finished and it is entirely up to you to consider how much you want to invest in revision.

In order to facilitate the discussions of your texts you will prepare the writing sessions by focusing on some papers and preparing very brief (3-5 minute) oral comments on them. This gives you an opportunity to focus and me the opportunity to see each participant bringing their knowledge to the table. Details will differ slightly for each writing session and you will receive further instructions in due time.