GUIDELINES
This is an important part of your assessment program and is intended to ensure that the student of
Foun1101 has focused knowledge on the published discourses concerning Caribbean culture and
civilisation. The book report is largely a factual based exercise with some leeway given at the end for the
student to include an opinionated assessment of the book.
2nd Stage:
Read the Book: To effectively do this most students prefer to find a quiet place where they can settle down
and immerse themselves in the text. The caf, games-rooms or around the quadrangle (outside the library),
is probably not a good idea. Reading, while taking care of children may also prove distracting, as is trying
to steal time between the periodic passes of a vigilant supervisor or boss at the workplace. A far more
effective strategy (especially for working students), might be early in the morning, before preparing for
work or, late at night after a relaxing bath. Similarly, one often cannot focus properly if one is hungry so
.having some snacks around or having a full stomach is probably a good idea (Not too full though as you
may be tempted to take a nap first!).
The point is that one should try to be as comfortable as possible with the minimum of distractions in order
to be an effective reader. The book outlined for the FOUN1101 report cannot be read at one sitting. Do not
attempt to do so. Reading, like many other activities, improves with practice. The sad point is that many of
us have not really practiced the art and often approach reading as a chore. Re orient your thinking! The
FOUN1101 report is not intended to be a choreit is to be a rewarding exercise. To this end you have been
given five (5) weeks to READ the book. Please do not wait till the last minute! (Especially as other course
work assignments may begin to pile up etc!!)
Know your limitations do not force yourself to read a certain number of pages or chapters every day. If
you feel tired or sleepy stop reading! A relaxed mind absorbs much more than a tired one. Keep a pencil
and highlighter handy to make jottings as you go along and to highlight important sections in the books.
You may even find it helpful to re-read the book a couple of times to really become familiar with it! Hence
the reason to start your reading NOW!!!
3rd relate the Book to what you have been doing in FOUN1101
Does it relate to ideas of definition of the Caribbean? Issues of culture? Issues of truth telling and the past?
Issues of gender? The creation of collective social memory etc Does the content relate to what you know
historians do? Did you learn something more or was the author deficient in his/her knowledge of the topic?
What was missing from the book/readings that you felt would have made it a better book?
Was the book worth the price you paid for it or did you get more than your moneys worth? Give reasons
why.
CAUTIONS
1. You cannot write a good book report without reading the book itself!
2. Do not be too descriptive.
3. All essays must be submitted via My E-learning for verification.
4. All essays will be scanned by the FOUN1101 Staff using plagiarism software. BE WARNED! Any essay
found to be plagiarised will receive an automatic failing grade. Details on what constitutes plagiarism will
be placed on MyE-learning for students to familiarize themselves with.
5. While group discussions can at times be helpful, the submitted work MUST be your own! Be sure that
the final product is original in its construction.
Remember that this is a very serious exercise which, even though you are completing outside of an official
examination room still accounts for 30% of your final mark. As a result all marking will be VERY stringent
and will follow closely. All marking guidelines on coursework as established by the Faculty of Humanities
and Education. Before submission ask at least one friend or family member to read your book report and
give you their comments on it. Give them a pencil and encourage them to critique it rigorously. Often we
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