Readings

in Parts of Class

Each week there will be a list of required readings, as well as a list of supplemental (optional) readings. To get value from the class, you need to do (at least) the required readings. The readings for each week will be divided in two parts: introductory readings (that you need to look at by Tuesday, so you can refer to it in the initial discussion posting and have read it before class Wednesday) and follow up readings (that you need to look at by Friday, for the second discussion posting).

What: a set of materials for you to look at
Why (Learning Goal): this is a primary way to get the background material
When: during the week - the readings will specify whether they are best done before or after the lectures
How: materials are provided online, nothing to hand in
Assessment: indirect through other class activities
Late Policy: doing this on time is important for the discussions and class activities, but it is better to look at things late then not at all

I am using the term “reading” as a general term for “material you need to look at.” It might be documents that you read, videos that you watch, podcasts that you listen to, or interactive tools that you need to play with.

Each week, there will be a posting (linked to from the Week in Vis posting) describing the readings. You can see the readings on the All Readings page (although readings for future weeks might change).

The readings are important - they are a primary way for us to convey the course content. However, there is no direct assessment of the readings. It’s basically the honor system: I trust that students will do the readings. Class activities, such as surveys and discussions, will give us some idea that people really are readings.

We’d prefer that students are honest (if there is something you didn’t understand, or even if you didn’t get to a reading) so we can adjust the class accordingly. Lectures and class activities will assume that students have done the readings. If you have questions about a reading, please send them via Piazza and I will either answer them online, or work it in to the lecture.