GRADING

Exam: The grade for the class will be based on a final exam, which will most likely be some kind of take-home exam. The exam will be open-book. In addition, very high-quality participation (as described in more detail in the next section) can result in a half-grade increase (e.g. from B to B+, from B+ to A-, etc.).

Paper Option: Students have the option of writing an additional 15-page paper for this course. You must let me know by the end of the add/drop period whether you intend to write a paper. If you do, you will get one additional academic credit for the course (making this a 3-credit course). The grade for the paper will constitute 1/3 of your final grade (with the final exam constituting the remaining 2/3). The due dates for the paper are as follows: Topic - February 9, Outline - February 23, First Draft - April 6, Final Draft - April 27.

PARTICIPATION

Participation in class will be handled primarily using a panel system. You must sign up to be on a panel for two classes. The classes should be spaced apart (i.e. not back-to-back, ideally in different months). Those who are on the panel for a given class will be on call for that class and should be prepared to summarize, analyze and discuss the readings. However, I will expect those not on call to be prepared for class as well. Lack of preparation without prior notice may be counted against you in your final grade for the course. Conversely, quality (not quantity of) participation, both volunteered and called-upon, will be counted in your favor.

SYLLABUS

The syllabus provides a rough and working outline of the course. However, because it is difficult to predict exactly how much ground we will be able to cover, there will probably be a number of adjustments (e.g. deletions, additions, etc.) during the course, so you shouldn't rely on it too much. In addition, I will periodically be distributing supplementary materials in the form of handouts in class.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Probably the easiest way to contact me is by email, at liujr@bc.edu. If you have a short question or comment, feel free to email me or call me. However, I also encourage you to come talk to me at my office hours or by appointment. Feel free to swing by to chat about anything, whether related to the course, about intellectual property generally, about career-advice, or about nothing at all.