Responsibilities of Instructor
As instructor of this class, I will
- provide you with a challenging and supportive environment for discussions and learning and ensure that even difficult topics can be addressed in an appropriate matter.
- offer you relevant texts about the topic that will help you expand your own knowledge and language skills.
- facilitate discussions and provide you with background information where needed.
- help the class in general and students individually to improve their language skills.
- be open to constructive feedback and dedicated to your scholarly and personal advancement.
- work together with you as students to build an inclusive and respectful classroom that values diversity of all kinds. Our differences enrich and enhance our understanding of one another and of the world around us.
Responsibilities of Students to Succeed in Class
To be successful in this class, you
- come prepared to class for each session and attend actively with curiosity and engagement.
- annotate the readings and take notes about the questions I pose for each session so you can participate in class discussions. I have found that students who complete the readings before class are better equipped to participate in class discussions, integrate the readings with the lectures, and do better on assignments.
- participate frequently in class discussions and take notes about the discussions that are useful to your learning.
- submit assignments by the deadline (see below) so you can get timely feedback on your progress and are prepared to move on to the next assignment that will improve your skills and expand your knowledge about the topic.
- ask questions when things are unclear (there are no stupid questions!).
- keep me informed when life happens and you may have to miss/postpone class sessions or assignments.
Structure of the Course
This course is split between synchronous (live meetings as a group) and asynchronous activities. This split should make the course resilient enough in case you or I get sick. During the synchronous portions, we will meet on Zoom and engage in various class activities. If issues prevent you from attending these live meetings (regularly or only sometimes), let me know - I will record our sessions and will make them available for those who have to miss a class. Our synchronous sessions will take place during our scheduled class time, but will not last the entire time. Breakout rooms will frequently be used to have small-group discussions about the course material. Sometimes, these discussions are in-depth, sometimes, they will get you started for in-class discussions. I will provide you with discussion prompts and tasks for these times. You will report on these breakout rooms in class.
I expect you to use the time that is left during our class-time but is not devoted to synchronous sessions for pre- and “post”-pare of the course. Finish assignments, start the readings, etc. I planned the course with this in mind. See more on that below.
Tips:
I expect you to use the time that is left during our class-time but is not devoted to synchronous sessions for pre- and “post”-pare of the course. Finish assignments, start the readings, etc. I planned the course with this in mind. See more on that below.
Tips:
- Consult the vocabulary list for each day before you read a text. It won’t cover all possibly new words, but will help you along. Reading the words before you start a text will be more beneficial than stopping for each new word and checking if it’s on the list.
- Read the sources in the order I post them. The knowledge in them will usually build on each previous source.
- Take notes while you read/watch, especially for the questions I pose for each session. For written texts, highlight the document and also write out notes for the most important passages. For recorded texts (films), take notes as well (with time markers if helpful) so you can use those in class. Unless you have a photographic memory, you will not be able to participate fully in class without proper notes.
Technology Needs
Please always use your Carleton account to engage in course activities. In this class, we will use
I have done my best to design the course so that we can be successful, regardless of personal circumstances. Communication will be key: please keep me updated about your situation in addition to reaching out to the other relevant offices on campus. Technical issues can be fixed with the help of the ITS Helpdesk (507-222-5999 or [email protected]). If your personal situation begins to impact your ability to engage with the course, please let me know and contact the Dean of Students Office.
Zoom cameras: ideally, I would like you to turn on your camera, so we can at least pretend to be a community in a classroom. There are great features if you don’t like us to see your background (virtual backgrounds, blurring background…). If you have to turn off your camera for a certain amount of time, you are of course free to do so but I would hope you can “come back” visually when you are ready. (It feels strange to teach to a class of only names or profile pictures…).
I will record our sessions to make them available for students who have to miss a class. These recordings will only be made available via Moodle and are not to be downloaded nor shared with anyone outside of this class.
- this website
- Zoom (check for updates regularly)
- Moodle
- Google calendar functions and Google products (docs, jamboards)
- PDFs and their annotation tools if you read on a screen.
I have done my best to design the course so that we can be successful, regardless of personal circumstances. Communication will be key: please keep me updated about your situation in addition to reaching out to the other relevant offices on campus. Technical issues can be fixed with the help of the ITS Helpdesk (507-222-5999 or [email protected]). If your personal situation begins to impact your ability to engage with the course, please let me know and contact the Dean of Students Office.
Zoom cameras: ideally, I would like you to turn on your camera, so we can at least pretend to be a community in a classroom. There are great features if you don’t like us to see your background (virtual backgrounds, blurring background…). If you have to turn off your camera for a certain amount of time, you are of course free to do so but I would hope you can “come back” visually when you are ready. (It feels strange to teach to a class of only names or profile pictures…).
I will record our sessions to make them available for students who have to miss a class. These recordings will only be made available via Moodle and are not to be downloaded nor shared with anyone outside of this class.
Content Warnings
Some of our class material may incorporate sensitive material. I know from personal experience that content warnings can be helpful, as is preparing oneself to learn to deal with material where content warnings are missing. If you want to discuss the material individually, I welcome you to my student hours. If you have (or suspect you may have) an anxiety disorder or other diagnosis (including, but not limited to, PTSD) in which you may have trouble dealing with certain material, please let me know as soon as you can. I will do my best to work with you and identify specific content ahead of time, but cannot guarantee locating all incidences of such materials. If you need these accommodations, you should be working with mental health resources (see below). [If you have read this far, please send me a pic of your pet or other loved "something" so I know you read this syllabus :)]
Accommodations
The Office of Accessibility Resources (Henry House, 107 Union St) promotes access and equity for all students of Carleton. They value full access to the wide range of academic, organizational, residential, and work opportunities for Carleton students, regardless of disability status. Contact them if you need their assistance.
Academic Integrity
This course abides by the policies for Academic Integrity at Carleton. Any suspected violations of the academic integrity code will be forwarded to the Academic Standing Committee. Please familiarize yourself with the definitions on this website. Any effort to present someone else’s work as your own is considered plagiarism, even if it is in another language.