During class meetings, I attempt to explain clearly those concepts and theories that students often have difficulty understanding from their reading of the textbook. In addition, I present material that is not covered in the textbook.

The information on which you will be tested comes from the textbook and the class discussions. Thus, if you want to have the best chance of doing well in this course, it is essential that you carefully read the textbook and regularly attend class. You may tape-record the class discussions.

In order to help you better learn the textbook material and to have the best chance at succeeding in this course, I include study aids in each section of the textbook (described below). And remember that I also am a "study aid": if you have any questions about the material you are learning or about anything affecting your performance in this course, please speak with me as soon as possible.

Study Aids

Study Questions
Study questions are provided throughout each section of the textbook. The study questions ask about the material you have just read. When you get to a set of study questions, stop and do your best to respond to them by writing the answers in your own words. If you are unable to answer them completely, go back to the section you have just read and try to find the answers. It also may help you to compare your answers with those of others and work with them to develop more complete and accurate answers.If, despite your best efforts to answer a study question, you still are unable to do so (or if you want to make sure that you have answered it correctly), ask me for help either during class, during my office hours, or by e-mail.The study questions are most effective for learning the material when you write down your answers as completely as possible in your own words . This will help you to learn the information at a deeper level: we tend to think more carefully when we write. In addition, when you review for the test, you can go re-read your answers to the study questions rather than re-read the entire textbook section.In order to do well on the tests in this course, your study sessions should consist mostly of answering the study questions in the manner described above. The practice quizzes and practice tests (described below) should be used only as tools to help you determine whether or not you are understanding the textbook material that the study questions are helping you to learn.

Practice Quizzes
After you have worked through the study questions for a section, you should take the practice quiz written for that section (see the Reading Schedule page). A link to the answers is provided on each practice-quiz page.

Final Examination

The final examination in this course will include 50 questions taken directly from the practice quizzes for Sections 1 through 4 of the textbook. Thus, if you wish to do well on the final examination, you will need to be very familiar with the practice-quiz items.