Course Policies
Principles for Anti-Racist Learning
Climates of Resistance involves critical and open discussion and introspection about a number of deeply personal, political, and difficult subjects. When approaching such topics, it is important to acknowledge ‘the wiggle factor’. Discomfort from course readings or discussions may mean that problematic preconceptions or implicit biases are being challenged. These ‘growing pains’ are positive, productive, and to be encouraged. Personal attacks or targeting, on the other hand, will not be tolerated. Respect and empathy are critical for a productive learning environment. During the first in-person meeting, the group will create principles for discussion through consensus-building. These guidelines will inform community interaction for the semester. As a starting point, the instructor will suggest that:
we all come as learners, not experts, holding our own understandings based on lived experience and exposure – and we learn best when we respectfully share ours, value others’, and acknowledge the reality of systemic patterns demonstrated through evidence-based science;
we all are both oppressor and oppressed within complex systems that build on multiple factors of identity and experience to produce patterns of marginalisation, unequal access and oppression;
we all hold a number of prejudices, both conscious and unconscious, and must work to confront and unlearn them; and
we all must diligently and regularly practice solidarity, realising that anti-racist action is a lifelong process of learning and growing, rather than the arrival at a set destination.
Resources
Becca’s overview of anti-racist learning
the Concern Card, where you can anonymously report incidents of bias and flag problems
a “When and How to Respond” guide in the Harvard Business Review about racial microaggressions, co-written by three Black women professors
a handout from Augsburg University explaining common linguistic microaggressions of everyday ableism
Attendance Guidelines (Syracuse Class)
Punctual and engaged class attendance for each synchronous online class session is mandatory, in order to support students’ own learning as well as contributing to their peers’ experience in the course through contributions to group discussion.
Further, the instructor is federally required to promptly notify the university of students who do not attend or cease to attend class. The Early-Semester Progress Reports and Mid-Semester Progress Reports in Orange SUccess will be used to alert the Registrar and Financial Aid Office on non-attendance.
The instructor does, however, recognise the demands made by health and wellness – both physical and mental; family care; and religious observance. This online class has shifted Fridays to asynchronous learning time in order to help foster that balance.
If a student is unable to attend a regularly scheduled synchronous class session, they should:
inform the professor by email as soon as possible;
ask a colleague in the course to debrief them about the class discussion; and
stay in touch with the professor to make up the time in some way in order to ensure the understanding of material.
While absences with good cause will be excused, open communication will be key to this, and excessive non-attendance may result in a lowering of the student’s grade and/or referral to their Academic Department and the Barnes Center to follow-up on any concerns about the student’s overall wellbeing.
Syracuse University and the instructor recognise the diversity of faiths represented among the community. The Religious Observances Policy protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holidays according to their tradition. Students in this course will be provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed because of a religious observance, provided they notify the academic office before the end of the second week of classes. (See more: https://policies.syr.edu/policies/university-governance-ethics-integrity-and-legal-compliance/religious-observances-policy/).
Students who participate in fasting or other religious rituals that may impact their energy and attention levels are encouraged to speak with the instructor so she is able to best support them.
Conditions of Participation (Community Audit)
The Community Audit version of this course is completely free and open to all. It will not come with any formal university credit and is not officially affiliated with Syracuse University, but participants who have fully engaged will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course, and may request letters of recommendation from the Teaching Team.
Community Audit participants are expected to invest approximately 3 hours/week. This will generally involve:
1-1.5 hours of guided online learning, self-paced and flexibly timed; and
one online Zoom discussion each week lasting about 90 minutes.
Community Audit participants are asked to commit to the full course and expected to complete their preparatory studies each week before their group meeting, for the sake of cohort bonding and equitable exchange with their discussion section. Participation is contingent upon abiding by the Principles for Anti-Racist Learning and Discussion Guidelines created by their groups.
There will be opportunities for Community Audit participants to join the Syracuse Class during special sessions, as well as invitations to additional relevant events, but attendance at these will be entirely optional.
Disability, Discrimination, and Bias (Syracuse Class)
Syracuse University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. If any aspects of the instruction or design of this course result in barriers to full participation, the instructor invites any student to contact her to discuss strategies and make adjustments in order to ensure success. Students are further invited to discuss disability-accommodations or register with the Center for Disability Resources: disabilityresources.syr.edu. The CDR coordinates disability-related academic accommodations and will work with the student to develop an access plan. Since academic accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact CDR as soon as possible to begin this process.
The University does not discriminate and prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected category including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Any complaint of discrimination or harassment related to any of these protected bases should be reported to Sheila Johnson-Willis, the University’s Chief Equal Opportunity & Title IX Officer. She is responsible for coordinating compliance efforts under various laws including Titles VI, VII, IX and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. She can be contacted by email via titleix@syr.edu or by telephone at +1-315-443-0211. Students can also obtain 24/7 confidential counseling support from the Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team at the Counseling Center (315-443-8000, Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, New York 13244).
Students are encouraged to engage with the STOP Bias initiative and actively report incidents: syracuse.edu/life/accessibility-diversity/stop-bias/. Students are also welcome to anonymously report bias, provide feedback, or share concerns of any kind with the professor using this form.
Disability, Discrimination, and Bias (Community Audit)
The Climates of Resistance Teaching Team are committed to an environment of mutual respect and full participation. If any aspects of the instruction or design of this course result in barriers to full participation, the instructors invite any participant to contact them to discuss strategies and make adjustments in order to ensure success.
It is intended that participants do not need any particular background or expertise to engage in the Community Audit version of this course. Further, the Teaching Team and all participants are required to not discriminate on the basis of any identity aspect including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender.
If Community Audit participants experience or witness bias, or are concerned by the conduct of their peers, Group Leader, or professor, they are encouraged to be in touch with any member of the Teaching Team, who will work with them to address the grievance and/or escalate as needed. Participants are also welcome to anonymously report bias, provide feedback, or share concerns of any kind using this form.
Use of Student Academic Work (Syracuse Class)
Academic work completed during the semester may be used by the instructor for educational purposes in the class. Students’ registration and continued enrollment constitute consent for this purpose. Before using work in subsequent semesters or sharing with wider audiences, the instructor will either request students’ permission in writing or render the work anonymous by removing all personal identification.
Climates of Resistance will culminate in a Community Showcase, during which students are invited to share their work in a public webinar. The instructor will also invite participants to highlight their work on London’s Virtual Classroom. The public sharing of any contribution will be at the discretion of the student and is in no way required; however, extra credit will be awarded to those who actively present their work and answer community questions during the Symposium, thereby further demonstrating their grasp of the learning objectives.
Academic Integrity (Syracuse Class)
Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy: https://class.syr.edu/academic-integrity/policy/ reflects the high value that we, as a university community, place on honesty in academic work. The policy defines our expectations for academic honesty and holds students accountable for the integrity of all work they submit. Students should understand that it is their responsibility to learn about course-specific expectations, as well as about university-wide academic integrity expectations. The policy governs appropriate citation and use of sources, the integrity of work submitted in exams and assignments, and the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verification of participation in class activities. The policy also prohibits students from submitting the same work in more than one class without receiving written authorisation in advance from both instructors. Under the policy, students found in violation are subject to grade sanctions determined by the course instructor and non-grade sanctions determined by the School or College where the course is offered as described in the Violation and Sanction Classification Rubric.
Orange SUccess (Syracuse Class)
Syracuse Abroad makes use of Orange SUccess to signpost resources and support communication between advisors, instructors, and students. Information about this tool can be found at http://orangesuccess.syr.edu/getting-started-2/.