Right click for a "pdf" print-friendly version of this file HUM 3306: History of Ideas--The Age of Enlightenment to the Age of Anxiety Fall 2007/ Prof. Harvey THE MIDTERM IS DUE  no later than 5:00 Monday Oct. 15, under my office door (AC1 378), in my mailbox (English department), or via email to harveyb@fiu.edu. MIDTERM INSTRUCTIONS The Midterm will consist of 5 passages/quotes from Locke, Equiano, Rousseau (e-text), Shelley, Wordsworth (e-text), and/or Keats (e-text).  For each, you will be expected to write a coherent, stylistically-correct response on its significance, especially on how it reflects or is crucial to larger ideas, issues, or tensions in the work from which it has been taken.  Do not just paraphrase the passage or convey what would be more or less obvious from just reading it by itself.  This is a chance for you to show off your complex understanding of our texts and the history of ideas they partake of. For some passages, there may be additional expectations: e.g., I might ask, for example, that you to link a passage from Equiano to Locke's ideas in "The Second Treatise." You should not copy or paraphrase material from the Prof. lectures.  I expect you to have read and absorbed the lecture notes (why else would they be in the syllabus?!), and your responses ideally should be informed by them, but I definitely don't want just mimicry.  You are not allowed in ANY FASHION to use secondary materials, websites not included via the e-text links, SparkNotes, etc.  You may, if the occasion arises, consult with your classmates, but your responses should be, well, your responses (i.e. collaborative learning is good; collaborative writing is bad!).  Bogus responses--deriving from somebody/somewhere else--are very easy for me to perceive from phrasing cues, lack of true insight, and etc.  Put simply: you can't fake understanding. Submit single-spaced, with your name etc. at the top right corner.  Please: no cover pages or plastic binders. Responses should be about 150-200 words long (2/3rds of a normal double-spaced page).  Obviously, there will be variation from response to response.  Do not waste space copying the original passage or re-quoting from it; do not waste space citing via quotes other passages in the texts, although you certainly can refer to ideas/scenes elsewhere; do not waste space with strictly biographical or historical filler. Grades will be based on a point-system, ranging from 10 to 0 points for each response; the totality of your points will then be semi-curved.  Do not ask how much before the exam, say, 35 points earns in terms of a letter equivalent.  I will not know that until I provide you with your letter grade (semi-curved). The actual questions/passages will be posted on the syllabus via a link in the right column several days before the due date. Finally: I do not believe in a grading philosophy based on punishing you for what you don't know.  I much prefer rewarding you for what you do know, and in particular for insights that show you're really reflecting hard on our materials.  So, if you have really done all the reading of the authors/texts in a non-passive manner and reviewed the Prof. lecture notes, you should be fine.   You might not get an "A", but you won't flunk, either.