The paper will briefly and succinctly summarize the main points raised by each reading. The summary should be about 1/3 of the paper.  The remaining part of the paper is for you to analyze and comment on what you have read.  Did you find the articles interesting and compelling? Why or why not? How are the different readings related? Do they have common themes or do they contradict one another? Length: 2 pages.

While doing the readings and writing the reaction papers you should be thinking of questions that you want to raise for class discussion.  The questions could refer directly to the readings or they could relate to issues in the world that the readings have caused you to think about in a new way.  The point is to come up with questions that will generate discussion. A good discussion question is one that doesn't have an easy answer.  A real good question is one that provokes a debate.[2 questions for each class]

Each week you should write down other thoughts you have about the course that you want to express. This part of the journal is for more personal reflections. You can comment on the previous class, current events or personal experiences.  The point of this section of the journal is to observe how your thoughts, attitudes and perspectives have changed (or not changed) throughout the course. Length: 1/2 to 2 pages.

Journal entries--including reaction papers, discussion questions, and comments will be due weeks  2, 4, 6 and 7.  Each entry can recieve 10 points ( reaction paper = 5, questions = 3, comments = 2). Four entries multiplied by 10 pts. adds to 40 total points, or 40% of your total grade.