FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What assignments will we have for this class?
Each week, you’ll have five to seven links to articles, analysis, or video that you must read (or watch) before class and be prepared to discuss. You’ll also have one mid-term paper or article (1,000 to 1,200 words), one in-class presentation and discussion (15 minutes + a Q&A, or 600 word written essay), and one final paper or article (1,000 to 1,200 words). Articles may be considered for publication in U.S. News & World Report if they meet certain editorial standards.

How will we be graded?
We’ll be having presentations, guest speakers, and/or in-depth discussions during every class, so in-class participation is a big deal. Here’s what each component of the class is worth:

• In-class participation (includes attendance): 40 points
• In-Class Presentation or short paper: 10 points
• Mid-Term paper or article: 25 points
• Final paper or article: 25 points

Grade ranges (out of 100 possible points)

• 94 to 100 points: A
• 90 to 93 points: A-
• 90 to 92 points: A-
• 87 to 89 points: B+
• 83 to 86 points: B
• 80 to 82 points: B-
• 77 to 79 points: C+
• 73 to 76 points: C
• 70 to 72 points: C-
• 60 to 69 points: D
• 59 points or less: Fail

Missing a class for any reason will affect your participation grade -- you can’t participate if you’re not there. Attending class but not participating will also affect your participation grade.

What’s that about attendance?
The School of Journalism requires that you attend at least 80% of all scheduled classes. If you miss more than 20% of classes, you will automatically fail. Since there are just 12 scheduled classes for this course, thanks to the two Monday holidays this semester, if you miss more than two scheduled classes, you will fail. Attendance will be taken at each class, and missed classes will affect your participation grade (you can’t participate if you’re not there).

What if I have to miss a class because I’m sick, stranded, or there’s an emergency?
Please email your instructor as soon as possible if you think you might have to miss a class for any reason; if you don’t receive a reply, email again. You are still responsible for demonstrating an understanding of the reading that was required for the missed class, even if you are not there to participate in the discussion.

What about snow days?
Please check the school calendar and the course website to see if class has been canceled due to weather. There may still be required reading to complete, or a short analysis to submit.

Are deadlines flexible?
In real life, if you miss a deadline, your story likely would get killed instead of published. In this class, if you miss a deadline, it’ll affect your grade. Extensions may be granted in certain extreme circumstances, but they’ll be rare. More likely: You’ll lose 20% of your grade for each day an assignment is late.

What textbooks will we be using?
In lieu of dry, expensive textbooks, we’ll be relying on assigned readings gleaned from the media each week. Please see the weekly schedule for links to each week’s required reading, and come to class prepared to discuss them all. Some of these articles may be behind a paywall; you’re still expected to read them and come to class prepared to discuss them. Please email me immediately if you have trouble accessing any of the links to the weekly assignments. You should be able to get digital access to all of the following for about $50 for the semester (please see me if this is a financial hardship):

• The Boston Globe: http://subscribe.bostonglobe.com/B9234/
• The Boston Globe (digital only option): https://subscribe.bostonglobe.com/B5064/
• The Washington Post: https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acqlite/edu-offer/
• The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/subscription/education/student

There are also two books that you can purchase if you like. Doing so is strictly optional; excerpts will be provided for class discussion.

• “Good Talk” by Mira Jacob
• “Captain America: Vol. 1 Winter in America” by Ta-Neishi Coates

What about homework?
You will be responsible for doing the required reading, viewing, and occasional written analysis in advance of each class. You must come to class prepared to discuss all of the materials assigned for that day.

What other resources do I need?
You’ll need to have or have access to a computer, the internet, and a printer. All written work should conform to AP style (you can download an AP style cheat sheet here: https://coschedule.com/blog/ap-style-cheat-sheet/#download or bookmark this handy reference: https://www.slideshare.net/dkennedy56/ap-style-presentation-2019)

What if I need special accommodations?
If you have physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities that may require special accommodations for this course, please let me know so we can plan reasonable adaptations for you. You should also contact the Disability Resource Center (20 Dodge Hall, 617-373-2675, http://www.northeastern.edu/drc/) for information and assistance. Northeastern University requires that you provide documentation of your disability to the DRC.

I need writing help! Is there a writing coach available?
Yes! Meredith O'Brien is available on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and by appointment; her office is Holmes 138. Students may also submit their work via email (not for last-minute help... plan for at least a 24-hour turnaround time).  Email the work -- in an attached Word document or with a link to a Google document -- to: mereditheobrien@gmail.com (note the "e" in the middle).

How can I reach the instructor or the TA?
Email me at l.alphonse@northeastern.edu -- I’ll do my best to respond quickly. You can reach our TA, Alexa, at gagosz.a@husky.neu.edu. And we're on Slack at racesexmedia.slack.com. More contact info is here.