Goals

What are your professor's goals for this class?

As your professor, my goals for the outcome of this class include:

• to  learn what statistics are and how they show us what is, not what we might imagine or assume.

• to learn how to use statistics to not be fooled into believing something that isn't true.

• to be better able to read through what stats actually mean - and when they are being used appropriately.

• to be better prepared to move forth in your educational career and apply what you've learned to learn even more.

• To have some fun, yes, fun, in solving the puzzles that are people and society, using this tool we call statistics.

What is your professor's teaching philosophy? Why and how do you approach your teaching?

My teaching philosophy starts with the idea that students are people, who come with their own backgrounds, opinions, and experiences. I also bring my own self but I also bring a lot of training in sociological perspectives and strategies to navigate society and I'm here to share that knowledge with you. From the moment I discovered sociology and statistics, I saw a way to understand and navigate through difficult situations and work towards creating a society with opportunity and social justice. Our society works in a certain way and has barriers for many to be able to live up to our society's ideal of "freedom and justice for all". In my classes, we peel back the layers of society to see how our problems come to be and what we can do about it. Personal problems are societal issues. For true and deep learning to occur, I strive to provide a comfortable, safe, challenging, and supportive learning environment for all people in my classes.  

When you encounter issues with the class or things that get in the way of your education, please know that there are many resources available to you. Those resources include me, our embedded tutor, and many campus programs. My job, and our tutor's, is to support you in your learning process, so please put us to work!  

The campus' programs are listed on the Resource page here in this site, in the Services for Students handout linked on the Syllabus page in Canvas, and in the Welcome "Start Here" Module (and on the campus website). Those resources include things you may not expect like scholarships and grants (free money to support your education and build your resume!), Black Scholars, the Dreamers Center, Veteran's services, LGBTQX Pride Center, and our Family Resource Center (helpful for students who are also parents).