GEE courses

How to study for this course:

Do readings before class. Waiting for the exam period to do the readings is too late; this course teaches you a new way of looking at things, not just content. You need to understand, not memorize. Reading in advance also allows you to look up key words to make sure you understand the lecture. When you read, learn to read for the main argument of the author, not just to understand each sentence and paragraph. Ask yourself: do I agree with this? Why does he argue this? Is her evidence convincing? Is this logical?

Attend class. I do not take attendance every week, but I notice if students miss class a lot. I believe the lectures and discussion help you learn; otherwise, you could just stay at home and read.

Take notes. The overheads are to help you follow the organization of the lecture, and to give you basic content. You need notes to help you remember examples and details. They are your own notes; what do you find new and important? If you miss a class, you need to get notes from a friend. In class, we will discuss problems. Writing notes helps you remember the content; you just need to review them before a test.

Ask questions and take part in the discussion. Learning requires students to grapple with ideas and make the ideas their own; it is not just the teacher pouring knowledge into empty vessels. You come to class with certain ideas and assumptions, and learning only occurs by building on these ideas or by changing them with your participation.