There is a web-based on-line message system for this course. Follow this link to go to the board, which is located at http://www.quicktopic.com/40/H/SXPdmFDkdNg4B. I have included direct links on the schedule page to the discussion board so that you won't normally have to type in this address yourself.
During the term you will typically have an assigned posting due about once a week. Your posting about each topic should typically be at least a paragraph or so in length. Think before you submit. Once it is posted we cannot fix any mistakes or improprieties.
In general, I look favorably upon messages that have one or more of the following elements. You may post on any topic that pleases you as long as it is connected in some way to the substance of the course. It is usually interesting when your post contains:
Strive for sophistication. Your posting should include an argument that is logically organized. It needs to have a subtle and nuanced thesis. Description should always be followed with analysis and inquiry. You should stress an original or controversial explanation of the materials. You should advance perspectives that the reader would not intuitively know and will have to be persuaded to believe. Your arguments should be supported by the evidence and defended using a wise balance of patterns and examples. It is interesting when you take advantage of theories, models, analogies, and other interpretive frameworks learned previously in this class or in other classes. Look to highlight interesting connections, associations, relationships, analogies, parallels, and metaphors.
Comments should be respectful, empathetic, and self-critical. One of the great challenges of historical interpretation is to come to terms with people and arguments that differ from your own. It can be especially difficult to be critical of the ideas one supports or agrees with. Your postings should look at positions you support with an objective eye and should treat opposing views with dignity. Real life is messy, complex, and often ambiguous. You should strive to offer descriptions and explanations that are multi-factored. Your discussion of event factors and decision-making will be more effective if it (like real life) includes elements that are seemingly contradictory or paradoxical in their operations or consequences. You should seek to avoid oversimplified binary oppositions and dogmatic assertions, except where these are overwhelmingly clear from the data. You should be especially careful to use category labels that are accurate and carefully defined. These category definitions should include the potential for permeability and fluidity across category boundaries and for change over time. While recognizing the importance of categories and group labels you should avoid sweeping over-generalizations about group behavior. You should be bold in your admission that most historical judgments are subject to refinement or reinterpretation.
Do not steer away from controversy. If educated people were not affected in controversial ways by these events they would be scarcely worth talking about. Being able to argue a passionate point intellectually and analytically is one of the most important skills you can learn at Furman.
The chief ground rule is that messages should follow the rules of civilized academic discussion. Never submit anything you would not want me, the department chair, or Dr. Shi to read (whether it is fit for your parents/caregivers I'll leave for you to decide). You may attack any flawed idea but never the person who uttered the statement. Likewise, it is okay to say that you are bothered or offended by something that someone says in a message, but it will be best to direct your responses to the substance of the comment rather than to the admittedly flawed character of the author. Be alert that irony, sarcasm, and role-playing do not translate well into messages. In short, tact and discretion are essential. So are vigorous dissent and wise verbal defense.
Near the middle of the term you will be required to submit a self-evaluation in which you assess your own performance in class discussions and online postings so far this term. You should judge your contributions relative to the standards listed above and the quality of what you consider to be the best contributions by other participants in the class. This self-assessment should be about one paragraph long, and should be a reflection in detail about the strengths and areas for improvement that you see. All coherent self-assessments submitted by the deadline will be considered passing. Late submissions will be prorated, with the pass-fail credit reduced by 25 percent each day. Non-submissions will be scored as zero.
The discussion relies on networked software that can sometimes take a while to transmit information. Be patient. The system may take a minute or two to respond to your submissions, depending on how many previous messages there are and how busy the Furman network is. If you plan on posting a longer message it may be helpful to type the comments into a word processor first and then paste the message into the message system once a copy has been saved. Let me know if you have problems.
Note: The instructor reserves the right to change any provisions, due dates, grading percentages, or any other items without prior notice. All assignments on this schedule are covered under the university's policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. See the syllabus statement for further details. This page was last updated on 9/5/2007.