Welcome to our course! I’ve made a video (below) to introduce myself and give an overview of the stuff we’re doing this week. A more detailed version of the same information is written underneath the video.
Goals for Our First Week
- Get to know each other!
- Get everyone set up with a CUNY Commons account and a Hypothes.is account (the two main tools we will use in this class)
- Discuss the shape of our semester and course policies
Who I Am
First, let me introduce myself! My name is Olivia Wood. I’m studying for my PhD in English at the CUNY Graduate Center, I teach here at John Jay, and I also work part time at the NYC College of Technology (City Tech) in Brooklyn. It is totally fine for you to just call me by my first name. Really.
I live in Washington Heights, but I’m originally from North Carolina, where the rest of my family still lives. I have a double major in English and anthropology, my master’s thesis was about people using parody Twitter accounts as a form of activism, and my PhD specialization is in LGBTQ+ writing and history.
In the Before Time (pre-coronavirus), I used to enjoy theatre, visiting my family, and going to weekly trivia nights in my neighborhood. Now, I mostly play video games and watch movies with my partner.
What To Do First
- Now that you know a little about me, please fill out this Getting To Know You survey so that I can start getting to know you too! Only I will be able to see your responses.
- Click on the “Syllabus” tab in the main menu. If you’re on your phone, look for the “Menu” button at the top and then tap it to expand the full menu. You can read the syllabus closely, or just skim it so you know what information is there. You can always look back at it later.
- Click on the “Course Schedule” tab and read over the calendar for our class.
- Explore the other tabs and links to get a sense of what else is on our site.
- When you’re done, please take this Syllabus “Quiz.” (Feel free to “cheat” as much as you want to find the answers. The goal is just to make sure you know some key information about our class.)
What To Do Next
- Watch this video on how to get set up on the CUNY Academic Commons and follow the instructions
- Watch this video on how to get set up on Hypothesis and follow the instructions
- Join our course groups on both platforms
- Introduce yourself to the class! (Instructions here)
Zoom “Rules”
Totally okay to keep your audio/video off, just use the chat, etc.
Totally okay if your family members/roommates, pets, etc. are visible
Totally okay if a child you’re responsible for needs to “attend class” with us
If your environment is noisy, mute yourself when you’re not talking.
If you’re doing something you don’t want us to see/hear during class, make extra sure you are muted/video off.
Don’t be naked while your video is on
