Requirements

1. Consistent attendance and active, informed participation in all class meetings.  I will circulate an attendance sheet each day in class.  Your signature on this sheet is factored into your overall evaluation for the course.  Therefore, you must only sign for yourself.  

2. Participation in online discussion of assigned primary and secondary sources.  You must post to the online discussion at least 6 times over the course of the semester. When posting, you need only answer one of the discussion questions.  You must complete at least three of these discussion posts before mid-semester. Ideally, you would post approximately once every other week.  Posts must be made before the class period in which the relevant materials are discussed.  

3. Essays:

Each student will write three essays over the course of the semester. Students will submit a rough draft and have the opportunity to revise the first two essays.

ESSAY 1: Review a popular Cold War film that we are not discussing in class. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: The Thing from Another World, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, My Son John, Fail Safe, Planet of the Apes.  For those who are interested in cinematic elements of film, see this presentation.

Draft of first essay (3-4 pages) due 9/27. Essays will be returned with comments on 10/4; rewrites are due on 10/13.

ESSAY 2: Analyze an advertisement, political speech, nonfiction article, short story, or other primary text that illuminates a particular aspect of Cold War culture.

Draft of second essay (3-4 pages) due 10/27. Essays will be returned with comments on 11/3.  Final drafts are due on 11/10.

RESEARCH ESSAY:  A short research essay (5-7 pages) on a Cold War topic of your choice. A topic statement and preliminary bibliography is due on 11/17.   Completed papers are due 12/8.

3. Screenings:
Over the course of the semester, we will have a few evening film screenings, as indicated on the course schedule. You must either attend these screenings or watch the films in the Davis Family Library prior to the class meeting that follows the scheduled screening.

4.  Laptop Policy:
 Laptops may be used, but only for activities directly related to the  day’s coursework.  Any other use of laptops is distracting, disrespectful, and strictly prohibited.

5. Academic Honesty:
In this course, we will spend considerable time discussing citation practices and academic integrity  as they relate to Middlebury’s honor code.  

PLEASE SIGN THE PLEDGE ON ALL OF YOUR WORK FOR THIS COURSE. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MIDDLEBURY’S HONOR CODE, CLICK HERE.

6. Accessibility:
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me to discuss your specific needs.  Please also contact Student Accessibility Services to coordinate reasonable accommodations in this course.

In the course of discussion this semester, we may address events or issues that are disturbing, even traumatizing, to some students. If you suspect that specific material is likely to be emotionally challenging for you, I’d be happy to discuss any concerns you may have before the subject comes up in class. Likewise, if you ever wish to discuss your personal reactions to course material with the class or with me individually afterwards, I welcome such discussions as an appropriate part of our classwork.

If you ever feel the need to step outside during a class discussion you may always do so without academic penalty. You will, however, be responsible for any material you miss. If you do leave the room for a significant time, please make arrangements to get notes from another student or see me individually to discuss the situation.

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