I’m Jessica Corbin and I will be your instructor for MUS 2700 – Music in World Cultures. During our first class meeting on March 4, 2024, we will go through more details on this syllabus as well as learn how to navigate our course Blackboard shell.
I look forward to meeting you all at our first class on Monday, March 4 at 11:30am!
You are welcome to call me Jessica or Professor Corbin.
Preferred Name or Gender Pronoun: At Kingsborough Community College we affirm all forms of gender expressions and identities. If you prefer to be called a different name than what is on the class roster, please let me know. Feel free to inform me on your preferred gender pronoun or if you do not have a pronoun. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
How This Course Works
- This is a 12-week, in-person course that begins on 3/4/2024.
- All classes will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30am – 1:00pm in Room T-8106 in the T8 building.
- The book for this class is free and available in several formats, including e-book and pdf. Here are the details
- You will learn in a supportive community and you’ll have opportunities to collaborate and work together each week.
- This course is organized into weekly modules that mostly correspond with the textbook.
- Each module will consist of reading, listening, and assignments that range from individual work, class work and group/partner work.
- Remember to ask for help or guidance whenever you need it!
My Commitment to You
I recognize that this is an especially stressful time to be a student. COVID-19 has added significant stress and trauma to all of our lives, some more than others. While racial injustice is not new in our country, it is more visible. Our lives feel heavier and, in turn, you are coping with a lot more than you might even realize. These stressors may affect your ability to process information and manage your learning. Give yourself grace as you try your best. I will be as flexible as possible throughout this course to support you towards your academic success. We have many resources that are free and here on campus to assist with everything form mental health to food insecurity, so please feel free to let me know if you are struggling – I can direct you to many of our resources here at Kingsborough. Above all, remember that I believe in you and I want you to succeed!
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe everyone is capable of learning and the differences each person brings into a course enrich the learning of the group. Each person brings their own experience and experiences to the classroom, which is what makes Kingsborough the best place to teach. I also firmly believe that everyone has the chance for success in my classroom. I will work with every student and assist in any way that i can in order to help you succeed in this class. I design my courses to celebrate individuality as well as critical thinking skills, and I create an atmosphere in the classroom which invites, includes, and encourages everyone. I want to know what you think! And I want you to be comfortable and free to express your thoughts and questions at any time. I design my courses to showcase and celebrate the diversity of the members of our learning community and to encourage each student to connect our course content to their own life.
Our Pact
What you can expect from me: respect for every person in the class, no surprises in terms of assignments or assessments, timely grading of your work, and access to me through office hours and other times.
What I will expect from you: respect for every person in the class, assignments submitted in a timely manner, and always doing your own work. Regarding AI and chatbots – sigh, these are really challenging. I know that often a chatbot is great tool for gathering ideas and maybe steering you in a certain line of thinking, so I totally encourage that. But please take care that you always just use it (if you do use it) as starting point, or jumping off point that encourages your own critical thinking. (In other words, I want to know your thoughts, ideas, and conclusions!)
Equity Statement
Everyone is welcome here and everyone can learn and do well in this class. I have done my best to remove the guesswork from your learning and make it memorable for you. I will invite you to share your own histories and experiences with photography and build upon that knowledge.
In this class, all of us will share our thoughts and opinions. Through this sharing, we will build trust with one another and learn from our differences. This is a brave space. We are not here to be perfect. We will make mistakes. We are here to learn.
Tips for Success!
- Be proactive. Make it a goal to log into our course every Monday to preview the new module. Carefully read the Module Overview page, which includes the week’s learning objectives and a list of your assignments.
- Each time you log in, start on our course Home page. It will also guide you to our current module. You’ll also find the most recent announcements from me in the “Announcements” menu item on the left.
- Plan to submit early. I know, this one is tricky because… well, life. Set a personal goal for yourself to have all of your assignments done by 24 hours before they are due. Why? Because life happens and when you wait until the last minute, you’re more likely to have problems meeting a due date. I am here to support you when things go awry but procrastination will always be your worst enemy.
- Communicate with me. Always. I am here to help you succeed in any way that I can. But what I cannot do (despite what I tell my kids!) is read your mind. If you are struggling with anything, in or outside of class, please let me know. I will do my best to help accommodate you, and/or direct you to our services on campus that can. I need you to let me know what’s happening on your end. If you identify a challenge meeting a due date, just reach out and let me know. I am grateful for your efforts to inform me. Really! I love hearing from you! When possible, contacting me before a due date will keep you and I in sync and ensure you don’t get overwhelmed by unfinished work. In your message, propose an alternative due date (within 48 hours is advised to ensure you don’t fall too far behind).
- Use a calendar or planner. They are so helpful in all of your classes, not just this one. It can help your keep track of due dates and plan when you will do your work.
How to Get Your Questions Answered
Email me at
Text me on the group WhatsApp
Come to office hours:
Tuesday 3:00-4:00pm (E213)
Wednesday 10:00-11:00am (E213)
Thursday 10:00-11:00am (on Zoom)
Email me for Zoom link on Thursday morning, and
other hours are also available by appointment, just email me!
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