Editing Statistics and Statistical Programming (Fall 2020) (section)

=== Policies ===

==== General course policies ====

[[User:Aaronshaw/Classroom_policies|General policies]] on a wide variety of topics including classroom equity, attendance, academic integrity, accommodations, late assignments, and more are provided [[User:Aaronshaw/Classroom_policies|on Aaron's class policies page]]. Below are some policy statements specific to this course and quarter.

==== Teaching and learning in a pandemic ====

The Covid-19 pandemic will impact this course in various ways, some of them obvious and tangible and others harder to pin down. On the obvious and tangible front, we have things like a mix of remote and (a)synchronous instruction, the fact that many of us will not be anywhere near campus or each other this year, and the unusual academic calendar. These will reshape our collective "classroom" experience in major ways. 

On the "harder to pin down" side, many of us may experience elevated levels of exhaustion, stress, uncertainty and/or distraction. We may need to provide unexpected support to family, friends, or others in our communities. I have personally experienced all of these things at various times over the past six months and I expect that some of you have too. It is a difficult time.

I believe it is important to acknowledge these realities of the situation and create the space to discuss and process them in the context of our class throughout the quarter. As your instructor and colleague, I commit to do my best to approach the course in an adaptive, generous, and empathetic way. I will try to be transparent and direct with you throughout—both with respect to the course material as well as the pandemic and the university's evolving response to it. I ask that you try to extend a similar attitude towards everyone in the course. When you have questions, feedback, or concerns, please try to share them in an appropriate way. If you require accommodations of any kind at any time (directly related to the pandemic or not), please contact the teaching team.

==== Expectations for synchronous remote sessions ====

The following are some baseline expectations for our synchronous remote class sessions. I expect that these can and will evolve. Please feel free to ask questions, suggest changes, or raise concerns during the quarter. I welcome all input.
* All members of the class are expected to create a supportive and welcoming environment that is respectful of the conditions under which we are participating in this class.
* All members of the class are expected to take reasonable steps to create an effective teaching/learning environment for themselves and others.

And here are suggested protocols for any video/audio portions of our class:
* Please mute your microphone whenever you're not speaking and learn to use [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push-to-talk "push-to-talk"] if/when possible.
* Video is optional for all students at all times, although if you're willing/able to keep the instructor company in the video channel that would be nice.
* If you need to excuse yourself at any time and for any reason you may do so.
* Children, family, pets, roommates, and others with whom you may share your workspace are welcome to join our class as needed.

==== Syllabus revisions ====

This syllabus will be a dynamic document that will evolve throughout the quarter. Although the core expectations are fixed, the details will shift. As a result, please keep in mind the following:

# '''Assignments and readings are ''frozen'' 1 week before they are due.''' I will not add readings or assignments less than one week before they are due. If I forget to add something or fill in a "To Be Determined" less than one week before it's due, it is dropped. If you plan to read or work more than one week ahead, contact me first.
# '''Substantial changes to the syllabus or course materials will be announced.''' Please closely monitor your email and/or [https://canvas.northwestern.edu the announcements section on the course website on Canvas]. When I make changes, these changes will be recorded in [https://wiki.communitydata.science/index.php?title=Statistics_and_Statistical_Programming_(Fall_2020)&action=history  the edit history of this page] so that you can track what has changed. I will also do my best to summarize these changes in an announcement on Canvas that will be emailed to everybody in the class.
# '''The course design may adapt throughout the quarter.''' As this is a new format for this course, I may iterate and prototype course design elements rapidly along the way. To this end, I will ask you for voluntary anonymous feedback — especially toward the beginning of the quarter. Please let me know what is working and what can be improved. In the past, I have made many adjustments based on this feedback and I expect to do so again.

==== Statistics and power ====

The subject matter of this course—statistics and statistical programming—has historical and present-day affinities with a variety of oppressive ideologies and projects, including white supremacy, discrimination on the basis of gender and sexuality, state violence, genocide, and colonialism. It has also been used to challenge and undermine these projects in various ways. I will work throughout the quarter to acknowledge and represent these legacies accurately, at the same time as I also strive to advance equity, inclusion, and justice through my teaching practice, the selection of curricular materials, and the cultivation of an inclusive classroom environment. Please see my [[User:Aaronshaw/Classroom_policies|general classroom policies]] for more on some of these topics.