COVID-Related Issues

We'll be meeting in person, and will follow the university's instructions about precautions, including masks. This is a discussion-based class and masks may hinder the discussion by muffling sounds, making it hard to communicate. We'll try some approaches to minimize the disruption, such as preparing a question/comment on Slack to have it ready to submit when the instructor calls on you. (See courseworks for instructions for using Slack.) When the instructor calls on you, you (a) submit the Slack comment, (b) stand up (to make hearing easier), and (c) state your comment/question loudly and clearly. We'll have a projector screen at the front showing the Slack transcript. A TA will transcribe the instructor's comments to Slack too. A beneficial side effect will be that the Slack channel can serve as a class transcript (i.e., the class notes mentioned previosuly) to refer back to later. If this approach turns out to be too cumbersome, we'll adjust based on experience.

I normally don't allow the use of electronic devices during discussions, so that students can focus on the discussions. To use Slack, obviously you'll need access to a device. But when you're not actively drafting a question, I'll ask that you hide your display (e.g., turn your ipad upside down, or adjust your laptop monitor below 45 degrees).

In the event a student cannot come to class because they have COVID, those absences will be excused and won't count towards the attendance requirements, and alternative ways to get participation credit will be arranged. Make sure that the instructor is aware if that happens. For other medical or religious reasons for absences, consult the instructor.

The university will be doing contact tracing in the event of COVID cases among students. To help contact tracing, make a note of who sat around you in class, since contact tracing focuses on people who were within 6 feet of an infectious person for more than 10 minutes.