Live class engagement: Live classes are not required. Our live classes are spaces where we discuss the readings. We relate them to our lives and to the worlds that we inhabit. When you attend a live class, I expect you to be actively engaged in our discussions, whether verbally or in the chat. There is, of course, a participation grade, which is most easily earned through attending live classes and participating actively in the discussions we have (asking or answering questions, giving your perspective, engaging in activities, etc.). If you cannot regularly make the live classes, please let me know and we will work through an alternative way to earn participation grades.

Office hours:  My office hours are TIME/DAY, unless I otherwise announce. I will stay on the Zoom meeting and I encourage anyone to come ask questions, talk about their progress in the class, get feedback, seek advice, or just chat. I also have a cell phone number that I turn on during my office hours, which you can call or text at that time. If you cannot make my office hours but want to meet in a video call, please email me and we can set a meeting.

Late Work: It is your responsibility to hand your work to me on time and to talk to me if you are having trouble completing your work. If you are having trouble completing work for the class, please email me or come to my office hours, and we can find an alternative timeline to submit your work.

Email: Please email me if you have questions, concerns, or comments that are not addressed in this syllabus. I will endeavor to respond to all emails within 48 hours.

Reading and assignments in the syllabus are required. New York State education law requires that for each credit hour received, there should be at least 50 minutes of class time and at least 2 hours of “supplementary assignments,” in other words out of class work. 8 CRR-NY 50.1(o). This is a 3-credit class, so the readings, assignments, and associated studying should take you about 6 hours per week. If the out of class work assigned is taking up too little or too much time, please let me know.

Conduct: I will not tolerate any racism, sexism, homophobia, or other offensive behavior in class. Our class will be a space in which we can all comfortably participate. If you cannot interact respectfully I will ask you to leave the class and deduct points from your participation grade.

Academic Integrity: No cheating, no plagiarizing. As a higher education institution, Lehman College believes that academic honesty and integrity are fundamental to the mission of this institution and are binding upon all its members. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources and for respect of others’ academic endeavors. Students who violate these standards will be confronted and must accept the consequences of their actions. Included among the most rigorous sanctions for student academic misconduct is a lowered overall course grade, a failing grade in the course, disciplinary probation, and/or expulsion from Lehman.

Blackboard: Formal assignments should be posted to Blackboard. Google Chrome is probably the best web browser for accessing Blackboard, especially Turn It In, which you will use to turn in some of your assignments. If you have any questions about Blackboard, please contact [email protected] (phone: 718-960-1111). I can only provide rudimentary technical assistance. There is also a Blackboard app for smartphones that may be of interest to some of you.