The following will make or break this course: What you do when you are not a teacher facilitating discussion.
Think about it: When you’re the teacher you’re in the hot seat so you’re going to put in the effort. You’re going to do the reading, talk to the professor, and have things to say in class.
If you aren't a leader it’s a different story. You will be tempted to think: If I don’t do the reading, it really won’t hurt me that much.
If you don’t come to class ready to participate you’re kind of being disrespectful to the rest of the class, and especially to the discussion leaders of the day. They’re the ones who are really going to suffer. I know. I took an entirely student-led class as an undergrad. It feels really bad to be a teacher, pour hours of work into prepping, stand in front of a class, give everything you have to get the class going, and get . . . ::crickets:: It’s kind of like when you tell a joke and no one laughs. So, be ready to give back. Step it up for your classmates.
Don’t be a freeloader. It hurts your whole team. Do the reading and prepare to participate.
This is a class. In a class you’re usually working for yourself. You’re trying to learn and get a grade. Things change after college is over. Yes, you’ll still be working for yourself. But at the same time, most work meetings are about your team accomplishing group goal.
Ideally, that’s what I want this class to be about. Building an inclusive community that values collective goals. I hope to see you make the transition to a team-based attitude in this class. Think of this class as basically a big group project. Your classmates are your partners. Help each other out. Even if you don’t want to do the reading for your own sake, do it for your classmates. Do it for the team.
<aside> 🤔 An exceptionally engaged and collaborative student: ✅ Comes prepared to discuss reactions, issues, applications, implications of the materials every day ✅ Regularly engages in group discussions, enhancing the depth and rigor of conversation, even when they are not a teacher, even outside of class (Perusall) ✅ Helps clarify their own understanding of course content, and helps others learn too ✅ Contributes insights to whole group discussions and/or amplifies the insights of others ✅ Knows when to listen carefully and respects others viewpoints
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