Humanities

Assignment and Mode of Delivery
I ask the students to write math autobiographies. I do this several weeks into the course, to give them a chance to compare their previous experience with their current experience. I give the assignment in writing and talk about it when I hand out the paper.

Purpose and Evaluation of the Assignment
As for the evaluation, I give students 10 points for handing it on time and writing on the topic. I do not evaluate on grammar, style, etc., though I do correct their errors. The papers help one to understand the students better, find out who has had a negative experience in math before, and see what suggestions they have as to what might be done differently in class to help them learn better.

Directions to Students
Please write an autobiography which includes your background in mathematics. I would like to know how you feel about math now that we are several weeks into the term. Compare this to how you felt before the class started. If there are any events related to math -- in school or out of school -- that have shaped your feelings about math, tell me about it. Feel free to tell me about your background -- where you are from, what you are doing now, why you are in school, what goals you have -- or any information you would like to share. You may also make comments or suggestions about the class (without any fear of hurting your grade or otherwise prejudicing me for or against you).

I am looking for a minimum of 250 words, which is about one double-spaced typed page (please type your paper). If you would like to, you may submit the autobiography via e-mail or on computer disk (either for Macintosh Word 5.0 or IBM WordPerfect 6. 1). Use proper English and check your writing -- including grammar and spelling. This assignment is worth 10 points and is due two weeks from today.

Assignment and Mode of Delivery
The student researches current literature dealing with technology use in society, business, or education. A word processed report is done summarizing the literature, and a personal reaction is included. The assignment is printed in the course syllabus. The first night of class, I orally review all assignments that are due the next week. A handout is given listing specific directions for this assignment.

Purpose and Evaluation of the Assignment
Before the students turn in their literature reviews, they are given the opportunity to share the information with the class. As a group, we discuss the findings as to reliability, accuracy, practicality and value. The student's paper is graded and is a part of their final grade.

Directions to Students
A review of current literature must be done on technologies' impact on society, business, or education. The article can be taken from journals such as Educational Leadership, Electronic Learning, T.H.E. Journal, etc. The report will be two pages in length, word processed, spell checked, and grammar checked. A handout is given on the specifics of the report such as how to write bibliographic information in APA style, information to include in the summary of the article, and how to write the personal reaction section of the report. The students are told to write one page on the article summary and one page on their personal reaction. I give them an article for the first literature review so that they get an idea of the type of article I feel is appropriate to use.

Assignment and Mode of Delivery
Listening journals in "Music Through History" course (Arts 2500). Ex: Students are to choose a work by Mozart and write a listening guide for a novice listener (what to listen for, surprising music analogies) to a 15-minute musical segment. Listed on syllabus – special assignment sheet, sample listening guide – so they know what I expect.

Purpose and Evaluation of Assignment
As part of student's growth in close listening, it's evaluated both for readability (correct grammar, smooth ex., punctuation) and musical specificity (detail of melody line, attention to instruments).

Directions to Students
The elegant energy of Mozart continues to astound and delight. This journal gives you the opportunity to focus solely on the musical moves of Mozart.

• Focus: Choose a section of work by Mozart for close listening. If necessary, purchase a CD or cassette. Make list of listening suggestions from the text before you go to the music store. Avoid choosing the same work as another classmate or one we had discussed in class. The music you choose could be a movement of a symphony, concerto, sonata, or sinfonia or an aria or overture from an opera. (Recommended symphonies are #25, 30-41, but they are all great. Piano concertos #20 and 21 are very fine, but again, Mozart wrote many wonderful concertos for clarinet, horn, violin, and bassoon. You have a wide selection to choose from.) The segment should be no longer than 15 minutes.
  
• Listening: Listen to the work at least three times to familiarize yourself with themes and relationships between musical lines. Take notes on your observations. Listen for the shape of musical melodies, ties between themes, changes in volume and pace, and relationships among instruments or voices. Mark down times and draw diagrams of musical lines, if necessary.
  
• Writing the journal: Transform your jottings into a listening guide for a new, unseasoned listener of this work. Rely on your listening experience to inform the new listener what to expect, An introductory overview paragraph should identify the work completely and suggest what the new listener should pay attention to. Then describe the work in detail, as if you were taking the new listener on a musical tour. Write about instruments, changes, relationships, surprises. If working from a CD, refer to approximate times as markers. (Example: "At 2:30 into the movement, the theme repeats, but with the woodwinds presenting the main idea.") Use relevant items from the "Guide for Listening" or from the CD/cassette jacket notes to help you describe the music further. However, references to a source other than the music itself must be identified as such.
  
• The journal should be at least 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages in length, and include a signed Certificate of Authorship title page, all stapled. No late papers accepted.