How Is This Course Going to Work?

Our class meetings will be in-person, in real-time, in the assigned classroom space. Should Emory policies, or faculty or student illness or quarantine conditions, dictate otherwise, we will meet synchronously via the Zoom ID at the top of this syllabus, as a backup alternative. Individual students who cannot be present for class in person due to medical reasons may Zoom in to class synchronously, and recordings of class sessions will be posted for review after the fact.

Before each session, you should do the assigned reading, and prepare for discussion using the questions and prompts posted on that session’s Canvas page. You will also want to monitor and optionally contribute to the Canvas discussion thread for that weekly module of the course. In class, we will engage in whole-class or small group discussions of key questions about the day’s material. Sometimes we may do specialized group simulations or exercises; other times, perhaps, I will present new empirical material or a research study for your group to analyze and evaluate in class. The aim of these sessions will be to assess and consolidate our understanding of the core concept and applications, and to evaluate those ideas with the material in the readings and beyond, to relate them to other arguments and issue-areas we have previously covered, and to build up our empirical evaluation skills. At the end of class each session, you may optionally post one large or small question or ‘muddiest point’ that you found most confusing about that day’s content, which is fodder for the ongoing outside-of-class discussion thread, and which I will use to shape future discussion. Some weeks will end with an assignment deadline, which generally fall on Fridays at 6p.

What Are the Course Policies?

Basic principles. I want our classroom community to thrive no matter the classroom delivery method or your individual methods of participating in class. I cannot guarantee an experience that is identical to pre-pandemic semesters, but my goal is to treat all students equitably and to ensure grading is clear, consistent, and fair for all of you. My goal is for all students to receive a high-quality experience to the extent possible.

Diversity & inclusion. This course embraces a multiplicity of voices and perspectives. We respect people from all backgrounds and recognize the differences among ourselves, including racial and ethnic identities, religious practices, and gender expressions. Please let me know what name you like to be called and your gender pronouns.

Communication. Due to the unusual nature of the semester, communication is important. I intend to respond promptly to course-related emails, perhaps with a little delay on weekends. Likewise, if your situation changes regarding health, housing, or in any other regard with respect to your ability to participate in the class, please contact the appropriate Emory student support organization, first, and then me as soon as feasible. It is easier for me to address your needs if I know about them as soon as they arise. This does not mean I can successfully respond to every request for consideration, but I emphasize that my goal is to treat you all equitably and do what I can to help you succeed in this course.

Recordings. Our class sessions will all be audio-visually recorded for students in the class to refer back to the information, and for enrolled students who are unable to participate live. Recorded class sessions and all other recordings and materials posted on the course Canvas site are for the sole purpose of educating the students enrolled in the course. The release of such information (including but not limited to directly sharing, screen capturing, or recording content) is strictly prohibited, unless the instructor states otherwise. Doing so without the permission of the instructor will be considered an Honor Code violation and may also be a violation of other state and federal laws, such as the Copyright Act. By participating in class, you are consenting to being included in this recording.

Illness, attendance, and pandemic health protocols. At present, Emory’s official pandemic measures incorporate several layers of safety: the vaccine mandate, the indoor face mask requirement (see below), and contact tracing. Our class will adhere to Emory’s pandemic guidelines as they evolve. IMPORTANT: Emory’s pandemic instructions state the following: “At the very first sign of not feeling well, stay at home and seek a health consultation. Please consult the campus FAQ for how to get the health consultation.” Do not come to class in person under such conditions. Likewise, due to the pandemic, some students need to go into isolation or quarantine. If you are sick or in quarantine, your absence will be excused, and expect me to be flexible about attendance. You may attend and participate by Zoom if well enough. In such an event, please make sure to email me so that we can discuss your individual circumstances. We will provide ways for you to keep up with your work, whether you access the class online or in person. Should I become too sick to teach, I will inform you all, and the Department of Political Science will work to ensure continuity of instruction and completion of the course. If you have a health-related concern linked to our classroom, please bring it to my attention, and we will work promptly to address it, in concert with the appropriate Emory resources.

Classroom health & safety. Everyone must keep a face mask on at all times when they are indoors on campus, and this includes our classroom. Your face mask must cover your nose, mouth, and chin, and should fit snugly. Due to the necessity of keeping your PPE on, eating and drinking is forbidden in the classroom. Please read these Emory guidelines about quality and fit of masks. If you are not complying with the masking requirement, the instructor may use their prerogative to ask you to leave the classroom to ensure the safety of others in the classroom. Keep in mind that some of your classmates may not be able to be vaccinated and/or are immunocompromised, so Emory’s campus masking policy ensures everyone’s safety without requiring anyone to disclose their personal situation.

Punctuality and distractions. Please be on time. The distraction of late arrivals is inconsiderate to classmates. Likewise, please silence your phones and eliminate other distractions, as much as possible, prior to the start of class.

Late assignment/absences. You will be penalized for late assignments or missed exams, unless the absence/delay is due to documented serious illness, a pandemic-related illness/quarantine/isolation/or urgent concern as described above, or is otherwise excused by the instructor in advance (such as for certain Emory-sponsored activities). The penalty for unexcused late work is 10 points per day late.

Academic advising. Students who have an academic concern or question about Emory College of Arts and Sciences policies or who seek advising supplemental to that of their faculty pre-major or major advisors can contact the Office for Undergraduate Education (OUE) in White Hall, Suite 300, and by phone at 404-727-6069 and email at oue.advising@emory.edu. OEU also holds virtual office hours and schedules appointments online via college.emory.edu/oue/. Many resources designed to enrich each student’s educational experience and support their academic progress are available. Visit college.emory.edu/oue/current-students/student-support/ for a list of programs and further information.

Writing Center. The full Emory Writing Center (writingcenter.emory.edu) staff of undergraduate tutors and graduate fellows is available remotely this fall to support Emory College students as they work on any type of writing assignment in any field: sciences, social sciences, or humanities. Tutors can assist with a range of projects, from traditional papers and presentations to websites and other multimedia projects. They work with students on concerns including idea development, structure, use of sources, grammar, and word choice. They do not proofread for students. Instead, they discuss strategies and resources students can use as they write, revise, and edit their own work. Tutors also support the literacy needs of English Language Learners; several tutors are ELL Specialists, who have received additional training. The online Writing Center maintains hours throughout the day to accommodate students in various time zones. Learn more and make an appointment at writingcenter.emory.edu. Please note that you need to make (and cancel) appointments at least 3 hours in advance to accommodate the remote staff. Please review its tutoring policies, including the updated policies and procedures for online appointments, on the Writing Center’s website before your visit.

Accessibility and accommodations. As the instructor of this course, I endeavor to provide an inclusive learning environment, and I want every student to succeed. The Department of Accessibility Services (DAS) works with students who have disabilities to provide reasonable accommodations. It is your responsibility to request accommodations. In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must register with DAS at http://accessibility.emory.edu/students/. Students must renew their accommodation letter every semester they attend classes. Accommodations cannot be retroactively applied, so you need to contact DAS as early as possible; likewise, contact me early as well to discuss the plan for implementation of your accommodations. For additional information about accessibility and accommodations, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at (404) 727-9877 or accessibility@emory.edu.

Canvas and course communication. There is a Canvas site for this course. This syllabus, readings, and all other materials, along with the assignment instructions, will be posted on that site. I will normally post course announcements on that site as well, but you are responsible for any and all announcements made during the class periods in addition. It is a good idea to check with friends if you have missed class. Otherwise, contact me during office hours or by email (not by phone) if you have questions.

Honor Code. The Emory Honor Code is in effect throughout the semester. By taking this course, you affirm that it is a violation of the code to cheat on exams, to plagiarize, to deviate from the instructor’s instructions about collaboration on work that is submitted for a grade, to give false information to the instructor, and to undertake any other form of academic misconduct. You also affirm that if you witness others violating the code you have a duty to report them to the honor council.

Citation principles. For all written work submitted in this class, unless otherwise specified, if you use words/sentences from another source, you must place those in quotations and cite the source. If you use an idea or argument from another source through paraphrase, you must also cite that source, even though quotations are not required. The format for citations and list of references will be specified in each assignment. Failure to comply with these principles constitutes a violation of the Honor Code.

Office hours. Take responsibility for your learning and ask for individual attention when you need it. I will hold two hours of one-on-one sessions a week (see the schedule on the first page of the syllabus), and it is up to you whether to come to my office or the dedicated Zoom meeting ID reserved for my office hours. There may sometimes be a queue: that is, if you arrive at those office hours and find yourself in the ‘waiting room,’ another student is meeting with me at that moment, and I will admit you in turn. For our mutual convenience, you may optionally use the Calendly app (see first page) to schedule your office hour visits; and also use that app to schedule an appointment outside of office hours if necessary.

Zoom policies and protocol. For any classroom session held via Zoom, the following policies apply:

Zoom video. The success of this learning environment hinges in great part on our ability to interact with each other and on our ability to build a community. To that end, I ask that you all make a regular habit of participating with your video engaged. I recognize that this is not always possible (e.g., due to technical bandwith limitations) or preferable (e.g., if there are distractions occurring in someone’s background). Some students may have other legitimate reasons justifying participation without video in some or all class sessions. Accordingly, please contact me privately if you have reservations about this policy, and I will work with you to address your concerns or waive the policy.
Zoom etiquette. Please dress appropriately and mute your microphone except when you wish to talk. Please try not to interrupt other students when they are speaking, and more generally use respectful tones and language with one another at all times. But I most strongly encourage you to interrupt me with questions and critiques. To do so, physically raise your hand, activate Zoom’s raised hand emoji, unmute your mic and talk, or use the Zoom chat window, among other possibilities. If I do not notice someone’s interjection, please speak up and alert me that another student has a question. Please read Emory College’s “Netiquette for Online Classrooms” and the Rules of Zoom Engagement for other prevailing norms about participation in Zoom class sessions. You may wish to refer to Emory College’s “Online Learning Strategies” tips for success in online studies as well.
Zoom technical problems. It is possible that one or more of us will likely experience a technical interruption if we must hold class via Zoom. If that occurs, try to rejoin, at least until the class time is over. If it occurs on my end, I will restart Zoom and renew the session at the same regular Zoom meeting ID, and you will probably be able to join soon after. We will be flexible and adjust accordingly.

Stress management and health. As a student, you may find that personal and academic stressors in your life, including those related to remote study, COVID-19, economic instability, and/or racial injustice, are creating barriers to learning this semester. Many students face personal and environmental challenges that can interfere with their academic success and overall well-being. If you are struggling with this class, please visit me during office hours or contact me via email. If you are feeling overwhelmed and think you might benefit from additional support, please know that there are people who care and offices to support you at Emory. These services – including confidential resources – are provided by staff who are respectful of students’ diverse backgrounds. For an extensive list of well-being resources on campus, please go to: https://campuslife.emory.edu/support/. Keep in mind that Emory offers free, 24/7 emotional, mental health, and medical support resources via https://timelycare.com/emory. Other Emory resources include:

Counseling & Psychological Services
Office of Spiritual & Religious Life
Student Case Management and Interventions Services
Student Health Services Psychiatry
Support During A Crisis: A Guide for Faculty & Staff
Emory Anytime Student Health Services