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\title{Group Presentations}
\author{Spring 2008}
\maketitle
\begin{description} 
\item  Beginning the week of  April 7, time in class will be devoted
to planning the group presentations.  A list of suggested activities is
presented below for each of the three class periods.  The
results of the planning sessions will be reviewed with the instructor
at a later time to be arranged outside of class.  \\
\end{description}
\begin{itemize}
\item {\bf Friday, 4/4 - Group Signup}
\begin{description}
\\ Each student will select and signup for a first and second choice topic.
Groups will be finalized in class and set up on Blackboard.
\end{description} \\
\item {\bf Monday, 4/7 - Group Topics}
\begin{description}
\\ Each member of the group should submit topics to be covered by the group  
to the Blackboard discussion board.  Research is not required if you have some
general ideas already in mind.   Each group must complete an outline of topics, 
in the order they are to be presented, with each topic assigned to a group 
member.
\end{description} \\
\item {\bf Wednesday, 4/9 - Group Assignments}
\begin{description}
\\ Group members will meet in class and finalize group topics and the order of
presentation.  An outline of the topics and presenters will be prepared
and posted to the group discussion board.  Group members
can then began locating references for their individual topics.  The textbook
provides a starting point for most topics and relevant material from the
text should be included in all presentations.   Web searches
provide a wealth of information but can be overwhelming without a general
understanding of how subjects are interrelated.  The first goal should be
to form a conceptual understanding of the subject and how it relates to other
topics within the group.  The textbook is often very helpful at this stage.
Technical details  should be postponed until a
good conceptual understanding has been developed.  The instructor and the
library are other sources for books and journal articles which may not be
available online.  Keep track of all references which are used and give
citations in standard form as the research proceeds.
\end{description}

\end{itemize}

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