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MAIN OFFICE
651-744-4900

COUNSELING OFFICE
651-744-4906

FAX
651-293-5433

ADDRESS
275 North Lexington Pky
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Map & Directions

(previous site)
Class Work
We will be addressing a different book every two weeks.  You areresponsible for finishing the assigned reading on time.  I do notallow students who have not done the reading to remain in class. It isa demanding schedule, but not an unworkable one.  Use your timewisely. You will also be responsible for the various secondarymaterials distributed for each book.  These are valuablebackground material.  Since this is a University course, there areuniversity level expectations associated with it.  Generally, thismeans that you should spend approximately two hours outside of classfor every hour of class.  

You will respond to the books in two ways:
1)  Discussion
The success of this class will be largely determined by the quality ofthe discussions. While I will serve as facilitator and give somebackground information, the discussions will be directed by theclass.  You will be expected to finish all reading on time and tocontribute actively.  Active listening is also part of a gooddiscussion, so pay attention to what others are saying and build onit.  If you are naturally a bit reticent, give some thought whileyou are reading to questions and issues you might bring up.  Ifyou are usually the first one to raise your hand, hold back a bit oncein a while and see what others have to say.  A good discussion isalways a cooperative effort.  Good attendance is critical. You will not be able to contribute significantly if you are absent alot.  

2)  Reading Notebook
You will be expected to make 3-4 journal entries per book in yourreading notebook. Each entry should be dated.  You should make oneentry before reading or at the beginning of your reading and continueto make entries as you read.  Length of entries is not asimportant as the quality of idea, although I do expect somethingsubstantial for each.  You will usually be given one requiredjournal and I will provide some journal ideas for each book as well.

Things I will be looking for:
•    Depth of thought and evidence of reflection
•    Originality--not just saying what each person in the class would say- moving
beyond the obvious
•    Insight--writing about parts of the book not addressed in class
•    Growth-- changing your mind through writing or going to another level of under-
standing through your writing; showing some insight into your own perceptions
•    Relating the book to life outside the book and/or to your personal life. Be careful
with this one- don't lose the focus of the issue
•    Use of the text for support of ideas

Those of you who are interested in creative writing may want toexperiment with some of your journal entries.  I am alsocomfortable with visual interpretation of ideas if that interestsyou.  Please provide a short rationale if you choose either ofthese options.  

Although journal writing is designed to be a more informal exercise, Ido expect good grammar and spelling and legible penmanship in alljournal entries.  If you wish for some formal input on yourwriting, I will be glad to provide that occasionally on request.

I will read journals once per book.  Journals will be due no laterthan the Thursday after we have finished a book.  I expect alljournals for each book to be completed before you start the nextones.  I prefer to have journals turned in during school hours,but I will occasionally accept email journals in emergency or illnesssituations.  Please advise me if you need to do this.  I donot accept late journals.

Other Class work:
The majority of your writing will be in your journals.  I willalso assign a few short papers during the semester that will take theplace of some journals.  We will also be doing some group projectsthat involve creative interpretation of the books.  Both of theseoptions will be dependent on the books chosen for the semester and youwill be given specific directions for each.

Mail 275 North Lexington Parkway - Saint Paul, MN 55104 • Phone (651) 744-4900 • Fax (651) 293-5433
Please eMail questions or comments regarding website management to: brian.reinhardt@spps.org -  any other questions should directed to the main iffice number, (651) 744-4900
St. Paul Public School System, District #625