Syllabus
Trails
Trails are optional, not required.
Trails are nothing more than paths you can explore. One of the most common comments I get is that students have a hard time thinking of things to talk about. If you find yourself in such a position, go explore one of the Trails. I've selected ones that can be followed in some depth on the Internet, though if you really get interested you will want to go visit the library too.
In other words, the Trails are not an assignment. They are simply a convenient packaging of information, along with some comments and questions from me to help you in your exploration.