Editing User:Aaronshaw/Course policies (section)

=== Diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion ===

I am firmly committed to advancing equity, justice, and inclusion through my teaching and other professional activities. As an instructor, I strive to create an inclusive environment that accommodates diversities in experiences, perspectives, abilities, identities, and beliefs (among other forms of diversity). By encouraging a multiplicity of perspectives, experiences, and points of view to exist in the work of our classes, everyone’s education will be enriched. At the same time, I am cognizant of various forms of privilege and power that I or others may bring into the classroom and I acknowledge that these inequalities can shape learning experiences in sometimes adverse ways. The content covered in this syllabus and beyond in our broader curriculum is intended to be respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture.

In the classroom, I will work to address and challenge these and other forms of oppression and injustice. I am eager to support students using the course as an opportunity to do the same. Each member of our class has something of value to contribute and students are therefore encouraged to communicate and participate during class meetings. We must take care to respect the individual backgrounds, personal identities, intellectual approaches, and demographics expressed by everyone. 

To help accomplish these goals, I encourage the following:
* If you have name(s) and/or pronoun(s) that differ from those that appear in your official records, please let me know. 
* If I or others use your name(s) and/or pronoun(s) incorrectly, please correct us and/or let me know.
* If you feel like your performance in the class is being impacted by your experiences outside of class, please communicate with me and/or your advisor. There are also [https://www.northwestern.edu/counseling/ counseling and psychological services] available to all Northwestern students. 
* Model cultural awareness and competencies, and support dignity and respect in every aspect of the class. 
* Speak openly and honestly about concerns related to injustice, inequity, and other problems in this class, department, institution, and broader society. Listen generously to the same.

If anything about the class undermines these values or compromises the dignity of a member of the class, please contact me or a member of the teaching team. It is my aim that all of my classes will comply with the [https://www.northwestern.edu/equity/about/statements/non-discrimination-statement.html Northwestern University non-discrimination statement]. In the event of an incident violating classroom, campus, or other policies, you may [mailto:aaronshaw@northwestern.edu contact me]. You can also submit an incident report via the [https://www.northwestern.edu/equity/resources/report-an-incident/index.html Northwestern Office of Equity] (and that website includes links to other resources and support).