Building a learning community
I grew up in a middle-income, mostly white town in Northern California. As a cisgender, able-bodied, white female I have encountered very little of the discrimination and challenges that I know many of you face on a regular basis. I desire to create a learning environment for my students that supports a diversity of thoughts, perspectives, and experiences and honors your identities (including race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, ability, etc...)
Despite my best efforts, my ingrained bias may creep into this class. I invite each of you to partner with me to examine and reflect on our thoughts and feelings regarding various people and situations. In what ways can we nurture our own personal understanding that removes ethnic or cultural stereotypes? If there is ever anything in a class that makes you feel uncomfortable or a place where you think we can grow, please communicate with me so that we can come up with a solution.
To that end, I will work with all of you to follow the principles below:
If you have a name and/or set of pronouns that differ from those that appear in your official school records, please let me know!
If you encounter bias or stereotypes in the textbook or content of the course, please reach out to me, and together we will search for a non-biased source.
During this class, we will be discussing global issues that each of us connect to differently based on our backgrounds and cultures. This class will provide a safe and caring environment in which we can share our own personal experiences.
If you feel your performance in this class is being impacted by your experiences outside of class, please don't hesitate to let me know. I want to be a resource to you.
AND?...what do YOU as the student think should be added to the list? We will discuss this during our personal meeting time and I will continue to grow this list to create the most beautiful, supportive learning community possible.
If any of you are interested in learning more about implicit bias or are willing to make yourself perhaps a bit uncomfortable, you can even take a test, you can check out the Harvard Implicit Bias website to see where you can learn and grow.
An Agreement Between Us
I care about the learning experiences of every one of you and so I strive to ensure the integrity of the classroom environment, either in person or virtually. I believe our classroom should be a place where everyone feels welcome and respected. This means when you come in to class you are prepared to participate with me in creating a safe and equitable environment for everyone.
What you can expect from me
As your professor, I will be actively present in your learning experience.
I will provide clear, concise, free content and practice material that helps you learn. Whenever you let me know I'm falling short of this goal, I'll try different ways to explain better right away.
I will provide feedback on your work within one week.
I will show respect for your individual learning style, experiences, and needs, and I will create a positive and supportive environment where you will feel safe to ask questions and take on challenging material.
I understand that you are busy and that you have many competing priorities. When needed, I will be flexible to support your successful completion of this course.
What I will expect from you
You will establish a weekly study routine (expect about 9–12 hours per week OUTSIDE class) that allows you to complete all assignments and projects.
You will focus on understanding the concepts and performing the skills of this course, aiming for your own personal best.
If you have questions, you will attempt to find the answers by looking through the information provided either in the liquid syllabus or Canvas
You will uphold academic integrity by submitting only work that you understand and have completed for yourself.
You will be thoughtful in your interactions with peers, while taking extra care to respect diverse perspectives. You will support your classmates as you share this learning space and time.
Online Netiquette
In addition to our face to face time in the classroom, there will obviously be working online as well. The graphic below emphasizes a number of rules that I find important to remember when working online (though I think they are good for in person as well).