welcome to Inclusive Language Explorations!

I’m delighted to have you here.

what to expect

Each week, you’ll receive an email alerting you that a new lesson has become available. When you’re logged into the course, you’ll find three sections on that week’s topic:

• orientation: an introduction to the week’s topic, which generally defines core terms, mentions important questions to ask, and flags language and framing to watch out for
• pack your bag: links to a variety of resources, usually split into “big-picture resources” (style guides, word lists, and the like) and “more to explore” (essays, articles, podcast episodes, and other resources on facets of the larger topic)
• go explore!: a reflection prompt or other learning activity that invites further engagement with the week’s material

If something isn’t working, please reach out via email ([email protected]). That includes if you encounter a broken link: I check all links at least once a month, but it’s always useful to hear if somebody runs into something wonky.

a word about the comments sections

Although this is an asynchronous course, comments are open! Feel free to ask questions, share links to relevant and inclusivity-minded materials, point out what you’ve learned, respond to other students’ ideas, and otherwise participate through the lessons’ comments spaces.

The rules of this space are:

• Be kind and show respect for others.
• Communicate thoughtfully and with curiosity: we are all here to learn.
• Consider everything posted confidential. Ask before sharing outside this space.
• We embrace diversity of gender identity and expression, sexuality, disability, how our brains work, body size, race, class, age, religion, and many other axes of human coolness. As a learning community, we prioritize marginalized people’s safety over privileged people’s comfort.

I reserve the right to delete comments that (deliberately or accidentally) violate those principles, in my judgment. In cases of harassment or abuse of the space, I may remove the student’s access.

Please help me make this course as safe a space as it can be for everybody, by abiding by these guidelines and also by letting me know if you ever feel unsafe in our class. Thank you; you’re fantastic!