Preparing for class

How much time will this course require?

For every credit hour awarded, ABA accreditation requirements (Standard 310) require at least 1 hour of direct instruction and at least 2-3 hours of independent (of the professor) work by students. This translates to at least 9-12 total hours of work per week for this class over the semester.  The reading and out-of-class activities are designed to take about 5 hours per week, and you should devote another hour, two or three to organizing the information, making connections from class to class, and practicing analysis on your own. That will still leave a number of hours towards the end of the semester for concentrated finals preparation.

What should I do to prepare for each class?

Be prepared to answer questions from the reading and apply what you have read to hypotheticals. I accept volunteers but also use a random list sequencer to create a list that I use to call on people, and I try to call on a large number to keep everyone engaged. Don’t panic if you sometimes have to pass or struggle. I work hard to make participation a positive experience for all of us.

What if I don't understand something?

• You are always welcome to raise questions during class.

• Go to Canvas to see if there is a podcast or video that might help, slides or other helpful documents, a post in the discussion, or instructions on the home page or modules pages.

• Post them on the discussion page, entitled "Class- related questions." Everyone can see the question and answer--everybody wins!

• Email me: marcia.mccormick@slu.edu. I try to respond to emails within 24-hours, although on weekends, it might be 48. I post the question and answer on the Canvas discussion page. Again, everybody wins!

• Ask during office hours. 

or have a personal question?

• Email me: marcia.mccormick@slu.edu. I try to respond to emails within 24-hours, although on weekends, it might be 48.

• Ask during office hours. 

• Set up an appointment.