MODERNISM AND MADNESS Term II, 2006-2007 Hassold
Admission to course:
1) A brief (half-page to full page) description of a text (literary, visual [art and film]) that you plan to write on for your term paper. This is a "frame course," the readings you do during the first module will be used to frame your discussion of a literary work (no longer than a short novel, a group of art works, a film, an opera, etc.) that has as its main theme "madness."
You will be committed to this project and will not be allowed to change it in the course of the term so make your choice wisely. Do not pick a film that you have not seen and therefore may not interest you. I know this sounds like homework before the fact but if this seminar interests you seriously, then you will have to make a serious commitment to it up front.
In the case of two or more identical choices the one that is put in my mailbox with the earliest date on it will be given preference.
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Course Requirements:
1) Course attendance is required. Students will receive a "dropped" evaluation if they miss more than three classes.
2) Evaluations will be based on student participation in class discussions of the assigned readings and "reading responses" (WEBBOARD POSTS) to assigned readings each week.
3) Students will be expected to act as facilitators several times during the term. This means that you will read all the posts on the webboard and be ready to organize the discussion in terms of the topics that were discussed there and direct traffic in the process. The number of times you will be required to facilitate depends on the class size.
4) Attendance at the films (that will be shown in conjunction with this undertaking) is required.
5) Reading the novels assigned in conjunction with this course is also required.
6) A term paper (20 pages or more) and presentation on an appropriate topic connected with the portrayal of madness in literature, film, or art. Papers are due a week before the class presentation is scheduled.
7) Written commentary on papers of other students, before they make their presentations. This, like the reading assignment posts for module one, will need to be done a full session before the presenter presents.
8) A written self-evaluation of the tape-recorded class presentation.
9) A written self-evaluation of your performance throughout the term.
10) An evaluation of the general performance of the class. I have a prepared form for this.
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