What is a memo?

A memo is a reading note. Usually when you read a text you keep notes on what you are reading. The memo for the class is a sort a revised note in which you re-write your reading notes in a more structured fashion than simply an abbreviated note-taking. Furthermore, the memo for the class could have (but not necessarily) a focal point, where instead the abbreviated note-taking has a more occasional character.

The memo for the class is a short assessment of the reading in which you can address critically some points (probably no more than two, given than the memo should be short), you can give a smart summary of the text, you can provide your thoughts about what you have read, you can offer some evidence or personal experience or other empirical material on which we could reflect in connection with the readings (the list of the things you can do with your memo is not completed, these are just some initial suggestions and you can play with it with creativity).

The memo has a threefold purpose: 1. to prepare students for a more informed class discussion (for you), 2. to serve for your fellow colleagues as a possible access to textual material they haven’t read (for them), 3. and to demonstrate your involvement with the reading assigned (for me). Make your memos specific enough that they will be useful several weeks later; including several concrete points can be very useful. Because the notes are meant for students' use and are not graded, they do not need to be proofread (your English is perfectly fit for that), or written in any formal manner.

But your memo must have a title and could include: (a) the main points of the reading, (b) definitions of major concepts and methods and examples of their use in the text, (c) significant quotations and items that you find interesting (use quotation marks, with the page number), (d) your reactions/questions/critiques/linkages with other authors/etc.

Reading notes on the day’s readings are due no later than at the beginning of each class.

These notes should be no longer than one standard page (about 2500 characters, spaces included).

Your note should be posted on the comments space of the course’s blog for each unit (not sent to me by email). In this way your notes can be shared with the other fellows.