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Let me tell you a little bit about myself (click here for the official bio). I came to JJay in 2013 after getting tenure at St. John's University. I currently teach in the English department as an Associate Professor but I began teaching in 1993. I refuse to do the math and count the years with that because then I will feel OLD... so, let's just stick with this: I STARTED IN 1993. I teach a lot of ENG201 sections with a focus on digital rhetorics, special topics courses like “Writing about Racial Justice in an Unjust World: Critical Race Theory,” and graduate courses at the CUNY Grad Center like FUNKDAFIED: African American Literacies and Education. I also teach in the Gender Studies program. If you click the links on any of those sentences, you will see the websites dedicated to those classes... and that leads me to my next point. All of the classes that I teach have a strong digital component, not where I simply use platforms like this to "house" course materials, but where I want the design to also communicate identity and purpose. In the 21st century, we have no choice but use the means of persuasion of digital culture to shape, control, and define our own images. That's the legacy of the singers, poets, musicans, politicians, etc who we will study this semester and the footsteps they leave behind for us to follow.
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How the Class Works
This is a hybrid class. Let me tell you a little about what that means before we get started. We will meet in the classroom one day a week. Our "second day" of class is virtual. This means that you will be directed to various spaces online where you will be asked to read and/or watch performances and histories around African American Language (AAL). The online component is where the bulk of your reading and writing will take place. Each week/online, you will write a short essay on our online discussion board that you should load up with as much personality, fire, and creativity that you can. |
The Course Syllabus
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We will treat our discussion board like an online magazine (albeit only for our eyes) where we are participating in contemporary exchanges. As we move into the middle and end of the semester, we will begin work on a collective class website/archive and end the semester with a group site. Our first day of class is in the classroom where I will share the syllabus so make sure you attend that day. Then we go online and each introduce ourselves, like I am doing here now.
How to Approach the Technology Requirements of the course
As you will see on the syllabus, you are directed to specific webpages for each online class. There you will find links to the reading and viewing. This means that you do not have to buy any books for the class. You will need a computer that has the capability of playing videos. Because you will be watching 3- to 10-minute clips and retrieving all of your course materials online, you will also need a reliable, high-speed Internet connection. If you do not have broadband at home, plan to work on campus computers very often. Set up a Google Drive if you haven’t already and keep everything there. You won’t need technological expertise for the class, just a willingness to play around with sounds, images, and words and make things. Remember to also check both your personal and college email accounts. I will send reminders and updates to you. I'm looking forward to the world we will build together!
Peace,
Carmen
p.s. Yes, you can call me Carmen. Some are uncomfortable with this. If you would like a more formal register, you can call me Professor Carmen.
How to Approach the Technology Requirements of the course
As you will see on the syllabus, you are directed to specific webpages for each online class. There you will find links to the reading and viewing. This means that you do not have to buy any books for the class. You will need a computer that has the capability of playing videos. Because you will be watching 3- to 10-minute clips and retrieving all of your course materials online, you will also need a reliable, high-speed Internet connection. If you do not have broadband at home, plan to work on campus computers very often. Set up a Google Drive if you haven’t already and keep everything there. You won’t need technological expertise for the class, just a willingness to play around with sounds, images, and words and make things. Remember to also check both your personal and college email accounts. I will send reminders and updates to you. I'm looking forward to the world we will build together!
Peace,
Carmen
p.s. Yes, you can call me Carmen. Some are uncomfortable with this. If you would like a more formal register, you can call me Professor Carmen.
