An important note about the content of this course. Please read.
Many of the texts we will read (watch and hear) for this class explore complex and disturbing content and include graphic and offensive imagery and language that can produce strong emotions and reactions. My hope is that this class will provide opportunities for us to explore important and challenging topics and ideas together in an environment in which we feel both safe and brave. We should be sensitive to how we may react to some of the texts we will read, analyze, and discuss and allow ourselves to process these reactions in healthy and meaningful ways. To that end, it's important that we are thoughtful about the language and tone we use when discussing these topics and ideas. Similarly, we should be mindful of what we might need to best explore, understand, and process our experiences with the texts we read and the conversations we have. Below is a list of some of the challenging and complex topics our texts explore. If you feel that you will have difficulty reading about and/or discussing any of these topics, please speak with your dean and/or a school counselor about this matter as soon as possible so that you can be supported in the best ways possible. The texts we will read may include depictions, descriptions, and/or discussions of the following: physical, verbal, domestic, and/or sexual abuse, assault, and violence; self-harm; mental and physical illness and/or injury; death; family separations/divorce; and natural disasters. Please let me know (at any time throughout the course or after its completion) if there is anything I can do or avoid doing to support our reading and discussions about sensitive content.
A note about what you create (write, record, etc.) for this class. Please read.
Similar to the reading content of this class, the content you produce for our class may explore complex and disturbing content and include graphic and offensive imagery for creative reasons. If you choose to include such material (the nature of which is described in more detail above), it's important that you do a few things: 1) Discuss your choices with me before you write, and 2) Include a brief note about your choices and whether they are entirely imagined or are grounded in lived experiences of your own or other living or deceased people. I ask you to do this because I am required by law to report any incidents of abuse whether seen or read or heard. So, if I do not explicitly know that what you wrote is fiction, I must assume it is not. More importantly, it's important that any acts of abuse are addressed in the most helpful and healthy ways, and often that requires the help of trained and trauma-informed people. Again, please let me know (at any time throughout the course or after its completion) if there is anything I can do to support you or your friends or family.
Many of the texts we will read (watch and hear) for this class explore complex and disturbing content and include graphic and offensive imagery and language that can produce strong emotions and reactions. My hope is that this class will provide opportunities for us to explore important and challenging topics and ideas together in an environment in which we feel both safe and brave. We should be sensitive to how we may react to some of the texts we will read, analyze, and discuss and allow ourselves to process these reactions in healthy and meaningful ways. To that end, it's important that we are thoughtful about the language and tone we use when discussing these topics and ideas. Similarly, we should be mindful of what we might need to best explore, understand, and process our experiences with the texts we read and the conversations we have. Below is a list of some of the challenging and complex topics our texts explore. If you feel that you will have difficulty reading about and/or discussing any of these topics, please speak with your dean and/or a school counselor about this matter as soon as possible so that you can be supported in the best ways possible. The texts we will read may include depictions, descriptions, and/or discussions of the following: physical, verbal, domestic, and/or sexual abuse, assault, and violence; self-harm; mental and physical illness and/or injury; death; family separations/divorce; and natural disasters. Please let me know (at any time throughout the course or after its completion) if there is anything I can do or avoid doing to support our reading and discussions about sensitive content.
A note about what you create (write, record, etc.) for this class. Please read.
Similar to the reading content of this class, the content you produce for our class may explore complex and disturbing content and include graphic and offensive imagery for creative reasons. If you choose to include such material (the nature of which is described in more detail above), it's important that you do a few things: 1) Discuss your choices with me before you write, and 2) Include a brief note about your choices and whether they are entirely imagined or are grounded in lived experiences of your own or other living or deceased people. I ask you to do this because I am required by law to report any incidents of abuse whether seen or read or heard. So, if I do not explicitly know that what you wrote is fiction, I must assume it is not. More importantly, it's important that any acts of abuse are addressed in the most helpful and healthy ways, and often that requires the help of trained and trauma-informed people. Again, please let me know (at any time throughout the course or after its completion) if there is anything I can do to support you or your friends or family.
Recording of any kind (including screenshots, etc.) is strictly prohibited without prior explicit consent from any persons being recorded.
COURSE OVERVIEW
We will read from a wide array of literary genres and works. We will also study and discuss non-literary "texts" (digital and social media, video and photography, and visual and performing arts). Our goal is to become better at thinking critically and communicating effectively. In order to do this, we need to work together to create a safe--but not always comfortable--environment in which we can discuss and try to understand the challenging and complex topics that affect our lives. |
EXPECTATIONS
You're expected to come to every class prepared, with completed assignments and an updated, charged iPad. You're expected to participate in class discussions in respectful and appropriate ways. You are expected to exhibit an interest in understanding new ideas and perspectives and to encourage yourself and others to understand new and different perspectives: ask questions and offer thought-provoking ideas. Be prepared. Be inquisitive. Be seen and heard. |
TECHNOLOGY, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THE CLASSROOM
We will make use of recent advances in technology, such as mobile Internet devices, as well as digital and social media sites. Since these innovations are constantly emerging and changing, policies regarding such technology, software, and devices will be in flux as well. Policies pertaining to technology and digital and social media sites will always follow school policies first. To this end, any work, comments, or use of technology and/or digital and social media sites are subject to the most current school policies and rules. Because most of you are used to using such technologies and media for personal and social reasons, it's important that you understand the school’s policies and rules pertaining to personal integrity, harassment, and computer and cell phone use—all of which are detailed in your Student Handbook. You should consider any use of such technology and media as an extension of our classroom and that classroom etiquette and rules apply. PLEASE NOTE: Recording—of any kind—is not allowed without the consent of all recorded parties. |