All groups unanimously agreed that group discussions work very well in this class.

• We are able to get the opinions of our fellow students and then solidify our opinions.
• We really like the way we discuss the readings in a group, not so much the debates, but just the discussions.
• Class discussions (and participation) allow us the ability to express ourselves and help us to learn tremendously.
• Group discussions are more guided and stay on topic.

Several groups mentioned your teaching method as a positive aspect of the course.

• High knowledge of material and creativity
• Open thought that allows student input concerning materials.
• Creativity

2 groups brought up frustrations with the group discussions, particularly in reference to the debate format.

• People don’t read and don’t participate.
• When we get into debates, they do not have a "structure." The two groups answer everything except the question.
• Debates get off the topic.

* It was noted that some students read and do not understand the readings; therefore, they do not participate in class.

All groups mentioned class content and/or the readings.

• We are covering a little amount of information (only 5 people so far in the semester).
• The packets are not summarized and give no indication of your views.
• The reading material is too long and hard to comprehend.
• The questions in the reading packets are never fully answered.
• The packets are written in different foreign structures that we don’t like.

2 groups had the following suggestions for group discussions.

• We think that you should be a little more involved in the discussions to try to keep people on task and keep the discussion moving.
• Provide a recap/summary at the end of class discussions.

3 groups shared concern regarding the class content and readings.

• Discuss other materials such as art, music, economics, films, etc. A more diversified area of material would perhaps facilitate classroom participation from more students.
• Being able to lecture on topics that we read and discuss would help us to relate those readings to the era we are learning about (in general).
• Less reading materials/more lecture (students are going to want to learn when they can understand material in a clear way)
• Provide a simple abstract at the beginning of each selected reading.
• More focus on analytical methods (what should I be looking for in this reading?)

Discussions:

• I like the discussions and open atmosphere for expressing opinions.
• It helps put more than one person’s thoughts in view.
• I enjoy when we separate into groups and discuss the topic at hand.
• It helps me learn more about the topic, because I can see a view or opinion that I haven’t thought of before.
• It helps me learn and put yesterday’s ideas into everyday life.
• I have to do the reading in order to know what is going on that day in the discussion.
• It helps me understand the material better from hearing others share.
• The laid back pressure-less learning environment is excellent and I think almost every student has willingly contributed to the discussion.
• How Dr. Kelly provides the background material. His input is valuable, he seems to have a good base of knowledge of the material.

Tests:

• The relief that there are not tests allows it to be more open thought instead of straight facts.
• The fact that there are no tests really helps me to like this class too.

Lectures:

• I like when Dr. Kelley gives lectures, when he talks history and explains what happens in the past.
• I like lectures after the debates.

Discussions:

• When people don’t read or participate.
• Group discussions before the class discusses the material because there are many students who lie low and don’t read the material and they are able to ride off the students that do.
• Sometime after the discussions I do not know the answer to the questions he has asked us. There is so much feedback that I am lost.
• I don’t like how we never discuss any of the book readings. It seems like we have only covered the ideas and a handful of people.
• When we get off the topic during group discussions.
• One thing that does not help me learn is the group discussions. The material is analytical. I don’t understand a thing in the reading so I can’t pick up on what exactly Dr. Kelly wants us students to understand.

Reading:

• Quite a bit of reading.
• It does not help when we or you don’t go over the readings.
• Sometimes the extensive reading is a pain when you have other classes to read for.
• Having to do tons of reading for class.

Writings:

• I think a little more emphasis should be placed on the writing assignments, as to what you want from them.
• I don’t like the writing but it does help me learn.
• The writing topics are so vague that I do not now if I should go left or right. I am afraid if I go the wrong way I will fail this course.

Debates:

• I don’t think that the debates are structured enough. We get off the topics.
• The debates don’t really work well and are not helpful. A few people monopolize the debate and turn it into an unpolite, uneducational event.

Discussions:

• Separate the class into groups based along the lines of classroom participation

• Group discussions but have more time for Dr. Kelly to discuss with us what our topic is about
• Continue to use small groups to work on problems. It makes the class more enjoyable and the material easier to understand.
• Maybe group presentations maybe mock debates which seemed to happen naturally when divided.
• No debates, or maybe just one.

Lectures:

• More, way more lectures from Dr. Kelly. He’s a great lecturer, his lectures make the primary source more effective and easier to decipher.
• I would like to see a little more lecturing.
• I would like more lectures by Dr. Kelly.

Class Format:

• Everyone should have a sheet of paper or something to keep stating a certain paper is due. Everyone does not have a computer.
• Maybe some extra credit.
• Review sheets for exams.
• I would like to see the work for the course not only be written papers but also be able to take tests in written form.

Miscellaneous:

• Discuss music, pictures or films.
• Maybe we could focus on a broader spectrum of ideas and not just a few of the major thinkers of the time.
• Discuss not only the structure of the paper, but the kind of things to be discussed, give us a real paper so we can use it as an example.