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2.1 Statement of Care: Before I move on to more institutionally focused policy statements, I offer a "statement a care"—an acknowledgement of our difficult times and an action plan to follow in challenging circumstances. We begin our course in the midst of a global pandemic that has made many of us sick, or that has taken our loved ones from us, or that has disrupted our economic lives or our basic security. Over last summer, we saw uprisings against police violence and systemic racism all over the country, motivated by the grief for the loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. And finally, even though we have had a change in administration, we still face deep political divisions that threaten our social stability. I am deeply aware that not all of us will be "okay" all the time, and that we are all striving to do the best that we can in difficult circumstances. That said, I do believe in the transformative properties of art, in the way that the study of literature and language can provide peace and comfort, and in the power of intellectual community. I hope that we can all extend patience and grace to one another and acknowledge that things are generally "not okay." If you need an extension or assistance with an issue that arises, please let me know. In addition,

You should never feel obliged to divulge anything to me about your physical or mental health or about your personal circumstances.
You should expect that our course materials might trigger unexpected responses because we will be reflecting on our educational histories and our relationship with English language instruction. You might find yourself having strong emotional reactions or witness a strong emotional reaction from one of your classmates. I will not judge you and will respond with patience and grace, but I expect you all to extend the same patience and grace to one another.