DB3: Atlantic Slave Trade
Discussion Topic
Prompt:
For discussion this week, carefully read the “Excerpt: Alexander Falconbridge, An Account of the Slave Trade on the Coast of Africa.” Discuss the following question: What does Falconbridge’s account of the slave trade and the middle passage tell us about the nature of the Atlantic Slave trade?
4 – Falconbridge.pdf
Reminders:
As with every discussion board, you need to post early and often. Your initial post should be written in paragraph form (minimum 6-8 sentences) and needs to be posted by Thursday of this week. Each week for your initial post, start a “new thread” by typing into the “Type a response” box below This means you each should have your own thread for me to evaluate.
The initial post must incorporate the assigned primary source readings, usually in form of a direct quote (that is cited). A good format (unless it is a historical conversation prompt) is: 1) argumentative topic sentence, 2) direct quote, 3-4) analysis/explanation, 5) direct quote, 6-7) analysis/explanation.
THEN you need to reply to two classmates in a substantive historical conversation by Saturday Night, 11:59pm. Each week’s discussion is graded at 100 points. You will earn seventy points (70) for a substantive initial post, fifteen (15) additional points for a subsequent post engaging the discussion with classmates, and a final fifteen (15) points for a second engagement with your classmates on the topic. While each week is worth 100 points, combined, the discussion board grade is weighted 35% of the overall grade.
Response post means moving beyond just “I like this” or “I agree with what you said.” Instead, you need to engage your classmates in a historical conversation in dialog with your classmates (see 3Cs/Q below). If you do not participate meaningfully at the very best, you will earn a C. All posts must be written in complete sentences and properly punctuated. Moreover, posts must productively engage the discussion as it unfolds, while remaining mindful of the week’s topic. You should bring in additional information/examples from the weeks readings or from modern examples.
If you do not regularly post to the discussion board in a focused and substantive manner, you will receive a low grade. Any student who makes a habit of posting hostile or inappropriate comments to the board will receive an “F” for the participation grade or entire class
