Projects
There are six major projects over the course of the semester:
- Arts & Ideas Review. A thoughtful response to and critique of a campus event connected to the arts and humanities, such as a literary reading, performance, or exhibit. You’ll receive feedback on your commentary from your section leader and will revise thoroughly in response to that feedback. The Arts & Ideas Review is worth 15% of your fall semester grade.
- Close Reading #1. A short close reading of a meaningful passage from a literary text. You’ll receive feedback on the close reading and revise accordingly. The first close reading is worth 15% of your fall semester grade.
- Close Reading #2. A second short close reading with feedback and revisions. The second close reading is worth 20% of your fall semester grade.
- Keyword Review #1. An in-class review of relevant keywords from the course up to mid-October. Feedback and revisions. The first keyword review is worth 15% of your fall semester grade.
- Keyword Review #2. An in-class review of relevant keywords from the course from mid-October through November. Feedback and revisions. The second keyword review is worth 15% of your fall semester grade.
- Digital Wunderkammer, or Cabinet of Curiosities. Formerly known as “the portfolio,” the Wunderkammer is your curated collection of work from the semester. It will include revised work, as well as several new artifacts, created just for the Wunderkammer. The fall portfolio is worth 40% of your third grade for the Humanities Program.
In addition to these projects, there are a host of other expectations throughout the semester, such as engagement during plenary and section, writing in your journal, small group work, and various exploratory and investigative activities. These expectations tally up to 20% of your fall semester grade.
A Word about Attendance & Engagement
In addition to the above work, the Humanities Program values—and depends upon—your sustained engagement. Engagement comes in many forms, not just attendance. Taken holistically, engagement includes (but is not limited to) the following:
- Preparation (reviewing readings and material before class)
- Focus (avoiding distractions during in-person and online activities)
- Presence (Engaged and responsive during group activities)
- Asking questions (in class, out of class, online, offline)
- Listening (hearing what others say, and also what they’re not saying)
- Specificity (referring to specific ideas from readings and discussions)
- Synthesizing (making connections between readings and discussions)
We record attendance. Excessive absences invariably lower the quality of your work. As outlined in Davidson’s course catalog, missing more than 25% of class meetings will result in an automatic F for the class. In our case, that means more than 10 absences.
If there is a conflict between any class session and a religious holiday or observance, let your section letter know. Religious observance warrants an excused absence.