The methods for assessing your progress also reflect the course objectives. Grading will be based on:

1) one short essay (20% each), dealing with a travel book on Iran written by European or American author (a list of books on reserve or available in the Wilson Library Rare Book Room is posted here). This assignment will be followed by an evening at my house where each student will very briefly (five minutes) impersonate his or her travel author, explaining what the travel writer learned (or did not learn) about Iran;
2) a film review (3-5 pp.) dealing with one of the films on Iran in the UNC or Duke collections, relating it to materials covered in the course (5%);
2) a longer final research paper of 10-15 pp. (35%), on the subject to be worked out in consultation with the instructor (a list of sample paper topics will be provided along with a list of some recommended books, but each student needs to formulate a specific question);
3) an intellectual journal (30%), and
4) class participation (10%). Informed and consistent participation in discussions, both in the recitation section and common meetings, also is very important for the success of the class.

Grading standards: 

           A = Excellent; good description, good analysis, and shows original interpretation 
           B = Good; good description, or good analysis 
           C = Adequate in the sense of doing minimal compliance with the assignment 
           D = Poor; did not complete the assignment adequately but shows some effort 
           F = Failing; did not complete the assignment

The Honor Code is in effect in this class and all others at the University.  I am committed to treating Honor Code violations seriously and urge all students to become familiar with its terms, set out at http://instrument.unc.edu. If you have questions, it is your responsibility to ask me about the Code's application.  All exams, written work, and other projects must be submitted with a statement that you have complied with the requirements of the Honor Code in all aspects of the submitted work.
 

The short essay encourages you to study one topic carefully and in its context, as you refine your ability to write clearly and argue persuasively. It will be designed to consider the nature of travel writing as an example of outsider perspective on a foreign culture. All students are encouraged to write a thesis paragraph ahead of time and to discuss that with the course instructor. Many students have found that this improves the quality of their writing.

The longer research paper is an opportunity to engage more deeply with a particular topic. It should ideally use both primary source material and appropriate secondary and theoretical studies to focus more closely on a particular subject. I will post bibliographies for a number of subjects on the Readings and Films section of the Web site. If you have a particular subject you are interested in, please let me know.

This assignment encourages you to keep up with the reading, enlivens class discussions (since most students will have actually read the assignment), and offers a forum to record your personal responses to the readings, in this way personalizing the course and, at the same time, sharpening your skills in thinking critically and writing fluidly. Journal entries should be typed.
They should be approximately 250 words, or roughly one typed double-spaced page. Please write them on three-hole paper or type them and use a hole punch. Save a copy of the file on your computer.
When I return them to you (in 7 to 10 days), please collect them all. On the last day of class you will turn in the whole journal in a folder or binder.
The journal entries about a particular reading are due at the start of class on the day that the reading is assigned. These cannot be turned in late. There is no way to make up for lost work in this project. You will hand in entries before class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The only exception is for journals on films shown in class or approved outside events, which are to be turned in at the next class session. 
Each entry should quote or summarize one passage in one (or more) assigned texts or films (or events) for that one day. It should record your honest reflections on the reading or viewing, and it should engage the ideas of the text or film in some direct and thoughtful way.
These entries will be graded as either acceptable (check) or unacceptable (minus). A check means that you handed it in on time and followed the instructions fully. I do not grade the journals for thesis or grammar, as I do other written work.
You control how well you do on this journal assignment, since your grade is determined by how many acceptable journal entries you submit (ones with a check, that is).
There are 28 class sessions in which you might turn in a journal entry (i.e., days with assigned reading).
There is only one mandatory journal entry, the last class session. Everyone must write at least one entry by the sixth class session.
Here is the scale:
A=14 entries (scattered over at least 10 weeks);
B=11 entries (scattered over at least 8 weeks);
C= 8 entries (scattered over at least 6 weeks);
D= 6 entries (scattered over at least 5 weeks);
F= 4 or fewer entries.

Although most of the journal entries will focus on the readings, up to three journal entries may be devoted to films, either shown in class or from the extensive collection of feature and documentary films on Iran at the UNC Media Resource Center (in the Undergraduate Library). A list of suggested films is available on the Films page.