English MWA 2 | 10/6 1/1

Introduction to Class Schedule and Important Dates

• The purpose of this section is to clarify the class schedule and important academic dates to the students.

  • Reimbursement for Book Purchases

  • It is emphasized that students are entitled to reimbursement for the book, regardless of how they purchased it during the semester. This implies that the scholarship supports this reimbursement unambiguously.

Class Schedule for the Week

• Only class gathering for the week is on the current day.

• No class scheduled on Wednesday due to personal reasons (the instructor’s sister’s flight).

• Fall break is recognized university-wide with no class on Thursday and Friday.

• No class on the following Monday in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, despite it not being widely recognized by the university.

  • Students are advised to enjoy this extended time off and stay aware of other classes, which may or may not also be canceled.

• Next class gathering will be on Wednesday of the following week.

Upcoming Assignments

• An assignment is due in a week from the Friday after fall break, specifically aligned with week nine on Canvas.

  • Purpose of the assignment:

  • Serves as a checkpoint for the profile essay.

  • Students need to complete an interview before this assignment.

  • Reflection on the interview process is required, covering:

    • Positive aspects of the interview.

    • Challenges encountered during the interview.

    • Elements the student appreciated about the interview.

    • Any follow-up questions that arose after the interview’s completion.

• Students are encouraged to reflect on their interview experience while it’s still fresh in their minds and submit the assignment promptly after the interview completion.

Interviewing Preparation

• Importance of understanding who the subject of the interview is and what information is needed before the interview takes place.

• Discussion from the previous class (Friday) revisited:

  • Consideration of background knowledge about the subject is crucial.

  • Determination of what angle to feature in the profile.

    • Topics of interest include:

      • Personal experiences.

      • Inspirational aspects for readers.

      • Characteristics of a mentor figure.

  • Preparation of questions in advance to facilitate a smoother interview process.

  • Two types of questions were discussed:

    • Closed-ended questions: Limit responses to "yes" or "no".

    • Open-ended questions: Encourage detailed elaboration, increasing conversation depth.

    • Example provided by Michael:

      • Closed: “Do you like basketball?” vs. Open: “Why did you want to play basketball?”

Conducting the Interview

• Recording the Interview:

  • Strong recommendation for students to record their interviews for more natural engagement, allowing them to focus on conversation rather than note-taking.

  • Ethics of recording:

  • Students are advised to seek permission from the interviewee before recording (clarifying the context).

  • If recording is not allowed, students must be prepared to take comprehensive notes.

• Flexibility with Questions:

  • Students should view prepared questions as starting points rather than a strict script.

  • They are encouraged to follow interesting leads that arise during the interview, even if it deviates from the planned questions.

• Active Listening:

  • Essential for a successful interview; involves:

  • Paying full attention to the interviewee, ensuring understanding.

  • Asking follow-up questions to demonstrate engagement with their responses.

  • Maintaining appropriate body language:

    • Eye contact, nodding, and affirming responses to signal attentiveness.

• Minimizing Distractions:

  • Suggestions include choosing a quiet venue for the interview, keeping electronic devices muted or away, and being present in the moment.

• Observation and Note-Taking:

  • Students should take notes not only on verbal responses but also on non-verbal cues, such as body language and emotional expression during the conversation.

  • Records of tone and atmosphere can enhance the richness of the final written profile.

• Thanking the Interviewee:

  • Etiquette dictates students should thank their interviewees for their time and assistance at the end of the interview.

Class Activities Post-Break

• Emphasis will be placed on what to do after completing the interview in the next class session.

• Time allocated during class for students to finalize preparation for their upcoming interviews:

  • Opportunity to refer to slides from previous classes for steps needed prior to conducting their interviews.

  • Instructor will circulate to assist and inquire about students' interview plans and scheduling.

• Questions from students encouraged regarding the interview process and assignment preparation at any point.