Assignments:

(50 pts.) Explication of Text— An explication is a paper summarizing an argument. You will do five of these explications, one for each book. Each text sets out a version of that culture's concept of the nature of power. You find the author's argument for the nature of power and summarize it. Omit everything from the author's text that is not relevant to that particular argument. Clarify the author's language by restating it your own way. Write clearly enough to help a peer in class who found the argument confusing in the author's original exposition. Find all the premises for the particular conclusion on which the author actually relied, whether or not the author stated them all explicitly. Put the premises in logical order. Cite the text for each premise. Use MLA format.

Here's a checklist:

(20 pts.) Text Summaries: Each day, upon which reading is required, we will do a 5-minute writing at the start of class. Here, you respond with your reactions to the readings we will be discussing. You can discuss what points you agree with or disagree with in the readings. You can pose questions that the readings caused for you. This writing will be the beginning of our continued discussion in class. These writings cannot be made up. They are only done in the first five minutes of class.

(20 pts.) Quizzes – After finishing each text, the class will write a quiz based on that text. Quiz question groups will be assigned. Each group must be able to explain the correct answer to their question. Questions must relate to significant aspects of the text. I reserve the right to clarify or otherwise edit and amend questions such that they remain fair, clear and intellectually interesting. Questions beginning with the words "why" and "how" are recommended. Quizzes can be made up only if prior arrangements are made. There are no post hoc arrangements for make-ups.

(10 pts.) Presentations -- The class will break into five groups. Each group will be assigned to each text. The group is responsible for presenting the background of the text to the class. We will sign up for these presentations the second day of class. The group must research the culture and country concerned in the text, and any background material important to the text. This presentation will be given at the start of each text. It will be presented in PowerPoint, and each member of the group must speak on his or her contribution to the research. Each individual will receive an individual grade based on the clarity and interest of his or her presentation in speaking and text. In the event of technological difficulties, the presentation may be postponed one day, but barring catastrophic acts of nature and media services, if the technological difficulties occur two days in a row, the group will receive no credit for the presentation.