Prof. Richard F. Johnson
In addition to the formal papers required for this course, students will prepare critical abstracts and oral reports on selected articles. The purpose of this exercise is simply to introduce the class to a wide range of scholarship and interpretation without making the reading list unmanageable. Abstracts should be neatly typed, single-spaced, and preferably no longer than a page. They should begin by listing the author’s name, the title of the article, and the location of the article.
The oral reports based on the critical abstracts should be crisp, concise, and well-organized, lasting no longer than five minutes. Comment briefly on your abstract, delineating the author’s argument, method, and conclusions, and add any fine points you weren’t able to include in the abstract. You may (but need not) offer a critique of the article or a comparison with alternative readings. Remember that these reports are purely functional, intended as a service to your fellow students. Be prepared to answer questions about your author’s thesis and/or approach.