Requirements

Required Texts

The following textbook is required:

Additional readings are linked from the schedule to our Sakai Resources page.

Course Policies

  1. Attendance

    Attendance is mandatory at all lectures and discussion sections. Please familiarize yourself with Duke’s policies on Class Attendance and Missed Work. We understand that you may have unexpected events or needs arise that conflict with our scheduled class sessions. If you need to miss class for a valid reason, please notify your professor and TA in advance so that we can coordinate your catching-up on lectures, discussions, and assignments.

    More than 2 unexcused absences will result in an overall grade reduction of 1/3 of a letter grade for each subsequent absence.

  2. Technology in the Classroom

    Mobile phones should be turned off and either stowed in your bookbag or placed screen-down on your desk for the duration of class.

    Mobile phones, laptop computers and tablets may be used in the classroom for note-taking and for participating in class Teams chats only.

  3. Discussion and Debate

    Hopefully this class will inspire lively discussion and rigorous debate. Above all, be respectful of each other and open to different viewpoints. If there are class dynamics that are hindering your full participation in the course, please discuss these with your instructor immediately and confidentially.

  4. Student Disability Access Office (SDAO)

    We all learn differently, and I and your TAs will do our best to make sure that there are multiple means of accessing and demonstrating knowledge. We welcome your input on things we can do to make the course materials, our lessons, and the classroom experience more inclusive. If there is an accommodation that could improve your experience in my class, please let us know, regardless of the status of your documentation.

    For formal accommodations, or if you have questions about getting a disability diagnosis, contact the director of Student Accessibility Services, Cort Schneider (cort.schneider@duke.edu), or call the office at (919) 668-1267.

    For accessibility software and other information, check out the Disability Management System site: https://access.duke.edu

  5. Testing Center

    This class will use the Testing Center to provide testing accommodations and temporary test-taking supports to undergraduates registered with and approved by the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) and/or Academic Resource Center (ARC). The Testing Center operates by appointment only and appointments must be made at least 7 consecutive days in advance, but please schedule your appointments as far in advance as possible. You will not be able to make an appointment until you have submitted a Semester Request with the SDAO or completed screening at the ARC and your accommodations or supports have been approved. If you have not already done so, promptly submit a Semester Request to the SDAO or schedule your screening with the ARC in order to make your appointment in time. For instructions on how to register with SDAO, visit their website at https://access.duke.edu/requests. For instructions on how to schedule a screening with the ARC, visit their website at https://arc.duke.edu/ld-adhd/overview.

    For instructions on how to make an appointment at the Testing Center, visit their website at https://testingcenter.duke.edu.

  6. Duke Community Standard
    https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/conduct/about-us/duke-community-standard

    Duke University is a community dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and service and to the principles of honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability. Citizens of this community commit to reflect upon and uphold these principles in all academic and nonacademic endeavors, and to protect and promote a culture of integrity.

Grade Distribution

  1. Participation

    10% of course grade
    Class participation is essential to your success in this course; participation goes beyond merely showing up to class. Come to each class prepared: read the assigned texts closely, annotating your questions and critiques; reflect daily on the visual cultures that surround you, and consider how the concepts, themes, and methods of the class help you think critically about them; and engage your classmates in rigorous discussion and debate, in class and elsewhere.

  2. Quizzes

    20% of course grade
    There will be nine (9) short (20-minute) quizzes posted to Sakai throughout the semester. The lowest quiz grade will discarded.

    Quizzes will focus on material covered in the assigned readings for the week as well as key terms drawn from the extensive Glossary at the back of the textbook.

  3. Blog Posts

    25% of course grade

    In lieu of longer papers, you will compose three (3) themed, scholarly blog posts over the course of the semester. Each of these will ask you to find, create, or address specific visual media and discuss them in response to specific prompts and questions. These are short, concise, and image-rich writing assignments, approx. 600-800 words.

  4. Midterm Exam

    20% of course grade
    In sections on Friday, October 14

    The midterm exam will cover material from the first half of the course (August 29 → approx. October 7).

  5. Final Exam

    25% of course grade
    December 14, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    The final exam will consiste of short answer and essay questions that focus on content from the second half of the course (approx. October 17 →). Additionally, the exam will include at least two comprehensive questions that will span content from the entire course.