We will have seminar every class session starting on Monday, April 4. The seminar will be based on readings and on class material. Our formal reading assignments will be rather light, and it is expected you read the material a couple of times before class. You will prepare a preparation page for the seminar. You will keep one page for the seminar and turn in the second before class. You will have some specific questions to address in this preparation paper, as well as discussion points and questions from your reading. These papers will be a requirement for full credit.
Your specific reading assignments will be found on the To Do list for each class day. In general, you will have between around 30 to 50 pages to read from the Kurzweil book, and roughly the same for the Shermer text each week. Again, there will be additional topics and questions to be prepared for and discussed in seminar as assigned. Seminars can be a very productive and essential part of the class. They can, however, be a waste of everyone’s time if you come in unprepared and uninformed. Have respect for your classmates and come ready to fully engage in conversation and discussion based on facts and prior reflections. Adequate seminar preparation and participation is expected for full credit for the program.