Course Journal: Your course journal is a writing intensive exercise that will improve course retention and writing skills. A superb effort will produce a strong study guide for the final exam. A grade will be given each time your journal is collected, reviewed, and returned. To pass this course you must complete your journal, pass the journal requirement, and do your own work. Copying the entries of other students is plagiarism and grounds for immediate failure. Above average grades are earned by following directions, being punctual and thorough, creating quality, and taking advantage of extra credit opportunities.

Journal Format: Use a non-spiraled, folder-type paper cover with pocket inserts. Inside your journal folder keep all entries and handouts. Keep your lecture notes and blank paper out of your journal. All entries must be single-spaced and typed using Times New Roman #10 font. Carefully craft sentences, use correct grammar and paragraphs, and number all pages. Record all entries on your Table of Contents handout. You must stay on schedule.

Back up your journal file and print entries each time you complete them. Crashed hard drives or printer problems are not excuses for incomplete journals.

Table of Contents (http://core.ecu.edu/hist/wilburnk/Africa/j-tocah.htm): Keep this handout in the inside front pocket of your journal and record all entries on it.

Journal Entry Format: use the following headings:

• Title: if lecture or film, give the title; if reading, give chapter number and sub-section title; if Internet, give site title

• Date: date the entry was placed in your journal

• Summary: all summaries must have an introductory paragraph, sufficient paragraphs to cover important content (about a page) and end with a concluding paragraph

• Question: if there is a question, restate it and respond

• Reaction: react intellectually by reflecting on the parts of your entry most meaningful to you; try to create linkages between you and the people and events you summarized; do not react by summarizing your summary

Lengths of Typed, Single-Spaced Journal Entries (book reviews double-spaced):

• Eric Gilbert and Jonathan Reynolds's Africa in World History Sub-sections: summary of your selected sub-title section (1 page) and reaction (1 paragraph)
• Manu Herbstein's Ama: 500-word book review
• Jan Vansina Chapters: summary (1 page), response to the question (1-2 paragraphs) and reaction (1 paragraph)
• Films: summary (1 page) and reaction (1 paragraph)
• Internet Assignments: summary (1 page) and reaction (1 paragraph)
• Lectures: summary (1 page) and reaction (1 paragraph)