Course Support

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new.” 

– Barack Obama 

Brave Learning Space

The topics we cover in this class will relate to your experiences in life. They may also lead to some lively and often controversial discussions. We learn the most from people who don't share the same experiences, backgrounds, and opinions. Our lives are enriched and our world is expanded each time we take a moment to listen to someone else's story. It's important that we constantly step out of our own shoes to learn about who and what we don't know. I will be asking you to do this at all times during this class. It can be challenging, but we must make sure we all begin and stay at a place of respect for one another. In order for this class to be a brave learning space, we must agree to respect the variety of experiences, diversity of values, and the independence of thought each of us brings. This means we interact with one another with the intent not to offend, but to learn. Please be mindful of how your words may affect someone else and ask questions for clarification anytime you are unsure of another's intent. If you believe that I have overlooked a moment when someone oversteps one of these lines in discussion (including me!), I invite you to conference with me so that we might address how to proceed. It’s my intent to make our classroom a safe place for all backgrounds and beliefs. 

Additionally, be aware of the possibility that exists for misinterpretation and confusion when we operate in an online format, where text is not accompanied by any of the verbal or visual cues that signal politeness, sarcasm, respect, or anger.  Whenever discussing issues electronically, please assume positive intent, and ask for clarification whenever necessary. 

Also, because this is an English class, you will be asked to write in complete words and use standard academic English.  No “u” for “you” or “thx” for “thanks” in our online posts, please.  Abbreviations such as “lol” and the like are fine elsewhere, but you’ll lose points (as well as academic and intellectual credibility) on any work that includes these informalities in this class.  Students who use text slang or shortcuts will be given half-credit for posts in which these occur.