Welcome to [Literature 102]! As your Instructor, I am responsible for designing and running the recitation section and evaluating your work. The goals of this course are many: to make you better readers, better writers, and better thinkers, while we explore together some great works of literature.
Attendance and active participation in section are mandatory, and will count toward your grade. If you are unable to attend a class for some good reason, please contact me in advance to make your excuses and come to my next office hours to find out what you have missed. Bring your books to class every day (not all of them, of course : ) ).
The goal of the recitation is a lively and interesting discussion. My role is to lead the discussion, not to lecture. Come to section with something to say: a question, a comment, a disagreement, or some connection you have made. If discussion is boring you, don't fall asleep, object. Tell us what you think really matters. Challenge us to look at the book in a different way. Every comment counts; don't be intimidated to speak in class. I conduct classes in a very informal manner and may appear to ignore your comment. This is done to keep us on track. Make sure your comments do not make us digress. If they do, I, as a leader, may have to take law in my own hands and interrupt you and get straight to the point. Remember: this is done for organization purposes, and in no way for preventing you from speaking.