295
From: Jason Lajoie
To:
Debbie
Nahlik
Subject:
Fw:
ENGL
295
COVID-19
response
Date:
April
3,
2020
12:24:22
PM
Hello
Deb,
Please find below the changes I sent to my ENGL295 class.
Best,
Jason
From: j2lajoie@uwaterloo.ca <j2lajoie@uwaterloo.ca>
Sent: March 13, 2020 5:24 PM
Subject: ENGL 295 COVID-19 response
Hello class,
Given the University's response to COVID-19 (which you can read more about here: https://uwaterloo.ca/coronavirus/), please find below the changes to our ENGL295 course:
Since the university is going on a one-week suspension, the last 2 classes will be removed from the syllabus accordingly (though you're more than welcome to review them anyway... The Black Mirror episode is particularly excellent).
Classes will now be pre-recorded video PowerPoint lectures published on LEARN at 1 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, from Mar 24 to Apr 2.
Discussion prompts for class readings will continue to be posted on LEARN prior to classes.
The
second
round
of
participation
grades
will
be
based
on
in-class
participation
from
Feb
25
to
Mar
12,
as
well
as
online
discussion
board
submissions
for
the
last
4
classes
(Mar
24
to
Apr
2).
Group projects will continue, however you are encouraged to collaborate virtually. While not ideal, this constraint is actually useful practice for future employment, and would be an excellent experience to make note of, especially if you find yourself in a job interview and are asked if you have any experience with virtual collaborations. However, if you do not feel able to complete the group project at this point, please discuss this with your group and reach out to me ASAP so that we can work together to develop an alternate project--most likely another essay.
While all these precautions might provoke anxiety, the important thing to remember is that Canada is a low-risk country for COVID-19 infection, but this situation could change rapidly. You can keep up to date with news about Canada's response to the virus here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/canadas-reponse.html. Try your best to keep calm and carry on, but if you feel stressed or overwhelmed by the situation, remember to reach out to any and all counseling and support services, as well as friends and family.
Best
regards,
Dr.
Jason
Lajoie