I'd like to add a bit to Rodney's statement about the final project.
Through the Partners Listserv we can facilitate our students' finding
partners and whatever problems they encounter working with those
partners once they begin the project.  By monitoring our students'
progress and talking to one another, either through direct e-mail
or jointly on this listserv, we can nudge our less communicative or
productive students to be more responsive and productive.

One learning experience with this course is for students to negotiate
their own conflict resolutions in working with one another.  The
final project provides a firsthand opportunity to break down the
cultural differences and other barriers to reach a cooperative
final project.

                                                V.N.P.