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 the three times your journal is collected, reviewed, and returned. The final grade is based on a averaged weighted scale of 10% (lst submission), 40% (2nd submission), and 50% (3rd submission). 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: Keep this handout in the inside front pocket of your journal and record all entries on it.

Class/Reading/Internet/Film Entries: Entries must have the following headings:

• Title: brief identity: if lecture, give a title; if reading, give chapter number and section sub-title; if internet, give site title as listed on Dr. Wilburn's Academic Home Page's internet section; if film, give the title

• Date: date the entry was placed in your journal

• Summary:  all summaries must have an introductory paragraph, sufficient paragraphs to cover either chapter sub-sections, lectures, discussions and content of films, or content of web site assignments, and end with a concluding paragraph

• Question: if a question has been assigned, respond to it

• 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 turn your reaction into a summary of a summary

Length of Typed, Single-Spaced Entries:

• Downs Chapter Assignments: summary (1 page), reaction (1 paragraph), and response to question (1/2 page)
  
• Bulliet et al Chapter Sub-sections: summary of your sub-section choice and reaction (1 page)
  
• Internet Site Assignments: summary (3/4 page) and reaction (1/4 page)
  
• Lectures/Discussions/Films: summary (3/4 page) and reaction (1/4 page)

Extra Credit Presentation Structure:

1. Obtain an article from Dr. Wilburn.
2. Analyze the article.
3. Summarize it by preparing a written speech with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
4. Practice presenting your speech to a friend--speak out and maintain some eye contact.
5. On the day of your presentation write the article's title, unusual words, and your name on the board before class.
6. Introduce yourself, identify your reading, read your speech, then conclude with the article's most important points.
7. Respond to questions from the audience and Dr. Wilburn.