1) Response essays. This assignment asks you to respond to selected arguments from the texts. A handout identifying an argument (or arguments) will precede each essay, and will be posted to the class webpage. Your paper should agree with, refute or provide critical comment on the selected argument. There will be three essays due during the term. Deadlines are given on the course calendar and additional details will be provided on individual handouts. The first essay is worth 20 points toward your grade and the remaining two are worth 25 each for a total of 70 points. You will have an opportunity to rewrite the first or second essay.

2) Reading questions. Each week each student will be assigned one text for which they will be expected to provide at least two discussion questions during the following week's class meeting. These are worth 20 points. If you miss a class session, you can still earn your points by delivering your questions to me in advance of the meeting.

3) Learning assessments. These are short tasks and questions that will be conducted in class. Some will be handed out at the beginning of class and some at the end. They are intended to help me assess what you're learning. Scores are based largely on effort and participation in the assessments. They will total 10 points toward your grade.

Final grades will be assessed on a standard 100 point scale (93+ is an A; 90-92 is an A-; 87-89 is a B+; 83-86 is a B; 80-82 is a B-; 77-79 is a C+; 73-76 is a C; 70-72 is a C-; 67-69 is a D+; 63-66 is a D; 60-62 is a D-. Lower than 60 is an F).

For students enrolled in GEOG 521 (CRN: 10633), grades will be based on the assignments outlined above and an additional project to be worked out in consultation with the instructor. Graduate student grades will be assessed on an 120 point scale (111+ is an A; 108-110 is an A-; 104-107 is a B+; 99-103 is a B; 96-98 is a B-; 92-95 is a C+; 87-91 is a C; 84-86 is a C-; 80-83 is a D+; 75-79 is a D; 72-74 is a D-. Lower than 72 is an F).