Start here

Last modified on August 30, 2023

Before beginning coursework, please complete some easy tasks to get familiar with the course content.

1. Bookmark this website. You will need it throughout the course. You can even add it as a shortcut to your phone’s home screen.
2. Read the syllabus! Really. I tried to make it clearly organized and easily accessible. At a bare minimum, please read the section on Assignments. You can probably skim the rest.
3. [Fall/Spring only] Go to Blackboard and sign up for your three Student Choice Assignments. This is explained more on the syllabus.
4. Learn about Teams and how to sign up for our workspace.
5. Look in the Channel List on Teams for the #Introductions channel. Send a message to introduce yourself! Mention your degree program. Other ideas for an introductory message (you don’t have to do all this—only share what you want):
   • your undergrad institution
   • your home city/state/country
   • your favorite TV show/movie
   • what you pretend your favorite TV show/movie is when you want to impress someone
   • pictures of your pets
   • photos from a recent trip
   • hobbies
6. Watch each of the short videos below. They are intended to familiarize you with the three “venues” for our course (this website, Blackboard, and Teams) and how I use them.

download transcript – link to video

download transcript – link to video

download transcript – link to video