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JO205 Visual Storytelling Fall 2025 E1

Fall 2025 · Section E1

Instructor: Peter A Smith, Master Lecturer
 617 548-0109
Email: pasmith@bu.edu
Office Hours: Monday: 12-2pm, 5:30-6:30
Tuesday: 11-12pm,  or by appointment
 COM B33
Class Time: Tuesday 8-10:45am

📖 Course Description

JO205 is a visual reporting course open to all Boston University students. Through weekly class meetings—including screenings, lectures, discussions, equipment instruction, in-class workshops, and feedback sessions—students will gain experience in visual storytelling, including audio production, photography, photo editing, video reporting, and portfolio publishing. This course is essential for students with a passion for visual journalism and multimedia storytelling.

The course is structured with a deliberate progression of skills developed through in-class exercises, assignments, and iterative practice. Students will build technical competency in multimedia production while learning and applying the fundamentals of reporting and visual storytelling. Over the semester, students will complete two in-depth stories, including a final project, with all work adhering to the principles of journalism: truthfulness, fairness, balance, timeliness, and focused.

Teamwork is central to the course design. Students will collaborate with partners for classroom exercises, peer editing, and production support. Partners will assist with equipment, provide feedback, and help maintain safety while reporting in the community. While video production is encouraged as a team effort, each student is responsible for producing their own story and contributing at least half of the media assets.

There are no prerequisites for this course, and any Boston University student may register with the instructor’s permission. This course offers a unique opportunity for professional growth, equipping students with:

  • A strong foundation in visual storytelling skills.

  • The ability to produce and publish original multimedia stories to industry standards.

  • Mastery of digital workflow and multimedia expression.

  • A polished online portfolio that demonstrates their capabilities as a visual journalist.

📌 Course Outcomes

HUB Outcomes

Communication: Digital/Multimedia Expression (one unit)
Students will learn the fundamentals of photojournalism and video storytelling throughout this course. Using a scaffolded approach, they will build storytelling skills with a digital toolkit they will work with all semester. They will learn to:

  • Produce and manage digital assets.

  • Shoot and edit still photos and video.

  • Layer audio interviews with natural sound to create rich multimedia stories.

  • Publish stories online.

Students will develop skills and concepts to produce visual stories in their areas of interest through iterative processes, including class exercises, one-on-one in-class mentoring, peer editing, and class critique.

Intellectual Toolkit: Creativity/Innovation (one unit)
Teamwork is an essential component of this course. Students will:

  • Learn to collaborate with partners to assign tasks, strategize, and provide peer support.

  • Step out of their comfort zones to communicate with people of different backgrounds.

  • Use creative approaches to connect with subjects and explore community issues.

  • Acquire creative skills in composition, lighting, framing, layering audio, creating a story arc, and editing/producing final stories.

Storytelling Outcomes

  • Report, produce, and edit engaging multimedia stories.

  • Acquire competency in interviewing skills.

  • Understand story arc.

  • Develop skills needed for advanced journalism courses.

  • Build editorial judgment to give and receive constructive criticism.

  • Work effectively alone or as part of a team.

  • Gain confidence in approaching subjects.

  • Write detailed captions that include who, what, when, where, and why.

  • Engage with a community and an audience.

  • Identify current and future trends in multimedia storytelling.

  • Cover stories in diverse and under-reported communities.

  • Avoid stereotypes in storytelling.

Technical Outcomes

  • Understand how light defines a subject.

  • Operate a DSLR or mirrorless camera to shoot stills and video.

  • Use an audio recorder to capture high-quality interviews and natural sound.

  • Apply visual aesthetics of composition, color, contrast, saturation, and focus.

  • Shoot and sequence a variety of clips.

  • Create and maintain a digital asset management system.

  • Develop competency in shooting and editing photos, video, and audio.

📚 Required Reading & Materials

Required Reading

Highly Recommended Reading

  • Magnum Contact Sheets – available through the BU Library

🗂 File Naming Convention for Video

All submitted video files must follow this naming structure:

yearmonthday_projectname_yourlastname_version

 

Example:
 20190915_Portrait_Redfearn_1.mov

🎞 Video End Credit Requirements

Each completed video must include the following credits:

  • Producer/Editor

  • Camera Operation

  • Sound – Interview, Natural (“nat”) Sound

  • Copyright © 2025 Boston University

  • College of Communication

  • Professor Peter Smith

🎒 Gear Requirements

Laptop & External Hard Drive

Adobe Creative Cloud

For this course, you need:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro

  • Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

  • Adobe Portfolio

Get your free BU subscription (not the Adobe 30-day trial) by signing up for Adobe Creative Cloud with your Kerberos username and password.

Camera Gear Checkout

Cameras, lenses, and tripods are available for checkout through FPS. Get a camera and a 50mm lens, in addition to the kit lens that comes with the camera. 

You will need to purchase two SD cards. 

One SD card for the camera (64gb should be fine) and an audio SD card for the zoom audio recorder. 

If you computer does not have one, you will also need a card reader.

🏫 Class Experience

Classes will include hands-on workshops covering:

  • Pitching stories

  • Photography techniques

  • Audio recording

  • Video shooting & editing

  • Conducting on-camera interviews

 Portfolio Uploads: Starting Week 6, all assignments must be submitted both to SmugMug (for grading) and uploaded to Adobe Portfolio to build your final portfolio throughout the semester.

Assignment Tracker

Assignment

Assigned

Due (Start of Class)

Portraits

Sept 9 (Week 2)

Sept 23 (Week 4)

Depth-of-Field

Sept 23 (Week 4)

Sept 30 (Week 5)

Action Photos

Sept 30 (Week 5)

Oct 7 (Week 6)

Story Pitch

Sept 30 (Week 5)

Oct 7 (Week 6)

Photo Story (Midterm)

Oct 7 (Week 6)

Oct 21 (Week 7)

Video Portrait

Oct 21 (Week 7)

Oct 28 (Week 8)

Interview Shoot

Oct 28 (Week 8)

Nov 4 (Week 9)

Video Story (Final)

Nov 18 (Week 11)

Dec 2 (Week 12)

Final Portfolio

Dec 2 (Week 12)

Dec 9 (Week 13)

Weekly Summary

Wk

Date

Topics

In-Class Focus

Due

Field Guide Readings

1

Sept 2

Course Intro, Visual Literacy

Camera basics, storytelling intro

—

Intro, Ch. 1

2

Sept 9

Lighting for Portraits

Natural/artificial lighting demo

Portrait assigned

Ch. 3

3

Sept 16

Depth of Field

Aperture, lens choice practice

Portraits due

Ch. 4

4

Sept 23

Capturing Action

Shutter speed, motion practice

Depth of Field due

Ch. 5

5

Sept 30

Storytelling & Pitches

Story concepts, photo planning

Action photos due

Ch. 6

6

Oct 7

Lightroom & Portfolio Setup

Editing workflow, Adobe Portfolio

Story pitch due

Ch. 7

—

Oct 14

No Class – Holiday

—

—

—

7

Oct 21

Sequencing

Peer critique, sequencing exercise

—

Ch. 8

8

Oct 28

Audio for Video

Mics, nat sound recording

Photo Story due

Ch. 9

9

Nov 4

Interview Techniques

On-camera interview practice

—

Ch. 10

10

Nov 11

B-roll & Coverage

Sequences, sense of place

Video Portrait due

Ch. 11

11

Nov 18

Storyboarding & Planning

Structure, pacing, shot lists

Interview shoot due

Ch. 12

12

Nov 25

Editing Workshop I

Premiere basics, assembly

—

Ch. 13

13

Dec 2

Editing Workshop II

Fine cuts, pacing, color correction

Rough cut due

Ch. 14

14

Dec 9

Final Screening & Critique

Showcase & discussion

Final video story, Portfolio

—

 

📅 Weekly Class Schedule

This course is divided into two parts:

  • Weeks 1–7: Basic Photography

  • Weeks 8–14: Video & Multimedia Storytelling

Each week builds skills progressively, with a strong emphasis on hands-on practice, peer feedback, and portfolio development. Unless otherwise noted, deliverables are due at the start of class; we’ll introduce new skills after critique.

 

📸 BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY

Week 1 – September 2: Course Introduction & Setup

Skills Focus: Course overview, syllabus, software setup, partner selection.

  • Download Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Portfolio, and Adobe Lightroom Classic.

  • Reserve camera equipment; discuss additional gear to purchase/reserve.

  • Review syllabus, assignments, expectations, and safety.

  • Portfolio quick start: Create your Adobe Portfolio site.
     📌 No assignment due.
     Homework: Complete software installs; confirm gear checkout FPC access.

Week 2 – September 9: Camera Basics & Manual Shooting

Skills Focus: Manual exposure, composition, portrait technique.

  • Camera settings overview and manual exposure workshop.

  • Field Trip: On-campus portrait practice (environmental + simple backgrounds).
     📌 Assignment 1 Portraits assigned.
     Homework: Finish shooting portraits; begin edits.

Week 3 – September 16: Intro to Photo Editing

Skills Focus: Lightroom Classic workflow, selects, toning, captioning, export.

  • Edit Portraits in Lightroom; write reporting-style captions.
     Homework: Finalize Assignment 1 for delivery next week.

Week 4 – September 23: Depth-of-Field Photography

Skills Focus: Shallow vs. deep focus, selective focus in storytelling.

  • Deliver Assignment 1: Portraits → upload to SmugMug.

  • Introduce Assignment 2: Depth-of-Field; (PW: 706) on-campus DoF shoot.
     📌 Assignment 2 work continues.
     Homework: Finish DoF shooting and edits.

Week 5 – September 30: Community Reporting & Photo Story Prep

Skills Focus: Pitching, access, and ethics in unfamiliar communities.

  • Deliver Assignment 2: Depth-of-Field → SmugMug.

  • Introduce Assignment 3: Action Photos (due next week).

  • Prepare Pitch for Assignment 4: Photo Story (due Week 6).
     Homework: Refine Photo Story pitch; shoot Action Photos.

Week 6 – October 7: Action Photography & Video Portrait Pitch

Skills Focus: Motion, shutter, anticipating moments; pitching video.

  • Deliver Assignment 3: Action Photos → SmugMug + Portfolio.

  • Introduce Assignment 4: Photo Story (10 images for next week’s critique).

  • Set up Adobe Portfolio. Add images from Assignments 1 and 2.

  • Field Trip: Action techniques (anticipation, sequences, safety).

  • Submit pitch for Video Portrait project.
     Homework: Build Photo Story (10 unique images for review).

October 14: No Class (Holiday)

Week 7 – October 21: Midterm Review & Photo Story Edit

Skills Focus: Sequencing, narrative clarity, critique.

  • Deliver Assignment 4: Photo Story → 6-image tight edit, toned and captioned; upload to SmugMug and Portfolio.

     📌 Midterm milestone.

🎥 VIDEO & MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING

Week 8 – October 28: Intro to Video Shooting & Audio Recording

Skills Focus: Tripod/handheld technique, exposure for motion, clean audio.

  • Review Assignment 5: Video Portrait brief.

  • Autofocus strategies, manual exposure for video.

  • Sound bites, “nat” sound, mic placement; record room tone.

  • Practice with Zoom Recorder and smartphone backup.
     Homework: Begin shooting Video Portrait.

Week 9 – November 4: Intro to Video Editing

Skills Focus: Premiere Pro basics, organization, trims, export.

  • Edit Video Portrait in Premiere.

  • Naming conventions, folder structure, understanding panels.

  • Pitch Video Story (same subject or extension) for final project.
     Homework: Complete Video Portrait edit for delivery next week.

Week 10 – November 11: Advanced Editing & Interview Techniques

Skills Focus: Interview lighting/audio, B-roll sequences, sync, polish.

  • Deliver Assignment 5: Video Portrait → upload to SmugMug and Portfolio.

  • Workshop: shoot interviews (framing, eye-line, mic technique) and B-roll.

  • Sync external audio; stabilize, color-correct, add text/lower thirds; refine nat sound.
     Homework: Shoot interview + B-roll for Video Story; assemble rough cut.

Week 11 – November 18: Rough Edit — Video Story

Skills Focus: Structure, pacing, sound design, visual continuity.

  • Deliver Rough Cut of Video Story (interview + B-roll sequences).

  • Feedback focused on story arc, clarity, and ethics.
     Homework: Continue editing video story; prep fine cut

Week 12 – November 25: Fine Cut Workshop & Portfolio Integration (Thanksgiving Week — Class Meets)

Skills Focus: Picture lock prep, finishing workflow, delivery standards.

  • Continue editing: advanced color workflow, loudness targets, exporting masters & web versions, captions/alt text, end credits.

  • Portfolio check-in: ensure project pages and descriptions are shaping up.
     Homework: Implement notes; prepare Final Edit for next week.

Week 13 – December 2: Final Edit — Video Story

Skills Focus: Final polish and publication.

  • Deliver Assignment 6: Final Edit of Video Story → upload to SmugMug and Portfolio (Video Portrait at the start).

  • Final QC pass: audio peaks, color consistency, spelling in titles/credits.
     Homework: Finalize entire Portfolio for presentation.

Week 14 – December 9: Final Portfolio Presentations

Skills Focus: Presentation, reflection, critique.

  • Present your completed multimedia portfolio to the class.
     📌 Final evaluation milestone.


    Assignment Descriptions

    • 1. Portraits (10%)

      Photograph four portraits of your assigned partner, demonstrating versatility in lighting and composition:

      • One portrait in soft lighting
      • One portrait in direct sunlight
      • One portraits in artificial light
        Use medium/ tight shots in each lighting situation. All portraits should use a plain background.
      • One environmental/ storytelling portrait


        Deliverables: Upload your best images to SmugMug for grading and Adobe Portfolio for presentation.

      2. Depth-of-Field (10%)

      Shoot two sets of outdoor photos in a well-lit, visually interesting environment with strong shapes and lines.

      • Each set should include one image with a wide aperture (shallow depth-of-field) and one with a narrow aperture (deep depth-of-field).

      • Place your subject approximately six feet from the camera to clearly demonstrate aperture effects.

      Deliverables: Upload to SmugMug and Adobe Portfolio.

      3. Action Photos (10%)

      Capture a series of action shots showing a subject in motion. Focus on:

      • Sharp, well-timed images with fast shutter speeds

      • Dynamic composition that conveys energy and context

      Deliverables: Upload your selected shots to SmugMug and Adobe Portfolio.

      4. Photo Story of a Person (Midterm Project) (20%)

      Find a compelling, character-driven subject and tell their story through photography. This is your first major storytelling assignment.

      Requirements:

      • Capture a variety of images, including:

        1. A tight portrait

        2. An environmental portrait

        3. A detail shot that reveals character

        4. A scene-setter establishing location

      • Cover your subject in-depth to capture storytelling moments. Avoid rushing.

      • Choose a new subject outside your comfort zone (no friends, roommates, or relatives).

      Editing & Submission:

      • Import to Lightroom and select 10 unique images for class critique.

      • After feedback, choose 6 final images that demonstrate mastery of focus, exposure, and composition.

      • Write accurate captions for each photo.

      • Upload to SmugMug and Adobe Portfolio.

      5. Video Portrait (10%)

      Create a 20-second video portrait of your final project’s main character.

      Requirements:

      • Shoot on a plain background with a tripod

      • Use natural sound and consider adding copyright-free music

      • Overlay opening interview audio

      • Capture both stillness and movement that reveal character and emotion

      Deliverables: Upload final edit to SmugMug and Adobe Portfolio.

      1. Final Video Story (20%)

      Produce a 2-minute, character-driven video story in the style of a New York Times “Op-Doc.” Work in teams of two to research, plan, shoot, and edit a polished story with strong visuals and sound.

      Requirements:

      • Focus on storytelling moments and compelling soundbites (no VO narration)

      • Begin with your video portrait

      • End with a resonant soundbite or visual resolution

      • Include 4+ b-roll sequences showing action, process, sense of place, and character development

      • Conduct at least a 10-minute interview and edit strong soundbites that advance the narrative

      • Use nat sound and music sparingly to enhance storytelling

      • Keep video clips 4–6 seconds long

      • Include titles and credits

      • Select a non-personal subject (no friends, roommates, or relatives)

      Deliverables: Upload the final project to SmugMug and Adobe Portfolio.

      7. Portfolio Assignment (10%)

      Overview

      Your Portfolio is the culmination of all work produced in JO205. It demonstrates your ability to report, produce, edit, and publish professional-quality visual stories across multiple mediums. By the end of the semester, you will have a polished online portfolio that showcases your skills in photojournalism, video storytelling, and multimedia production.

      The Portfolio should present a cohesive, professional body of work that reflects technical proficiency, narrative skill, and your ability to engage an audience. It is designed to prepare you for internships, jobs, and future coursework by establishing an online presence that represents your best work.

       

       


      🔑 Course Notes

    • All deliverables are due at the start of class (unless otherwise noted); we’ll introduce new skills after critique.

    • Use this naming convention: yearmonthday_projectname_lastname_version
      (Example: 20250915_Portrait_Smith_1.mov)

    • When you deliver to SmugMug, also publish to your Adobe Portfolio (rough cuts may remain unpublished).

    • Late work drops one full letter grade per week; deadlines mirror professional standards.

    Policies

    • Attendance: More than two unexcused absences will affect your grade.

    • Deadlines: All assignments are due at the start of class unless otherwise stated.

    • Academic Integrity: Plagiarism or fabricated content will result in a failing grade and may result in being reported to the Academic Affairs Committee

    • Gear: Students are responsible for equipment care and timely return.

    MediaStorm Reading Integration

    Week

    Reading Focus

    2

    Stills for Multimedia – Portrait photography & framing.

    3

    Organizing for the Edit – Workflow setup.

    4

    Gear & Checklists – Shoot prep.

    5

    Finding the Story – Subject selection.

    8

    Video Interview & Audio – Interview staging.

    9–10

    B-roll & Checklists – Sequence building.

    Adobe Portfolio Workflow

    Starting Week 6, students are required to upload all assignments to both SmugMug and Adobe Portfolio. Portfolio uploads will be reviewed periodically and form the foundation of your final deliverable.

    📊 Grading Breakdown

    Component

    Percentage of Final Grade

    Portrait Assignment

    10%

    Depth-of-Field

    10%

    Action Photos

    10%

    Photo Story (Midterm)

    20%

    Video Portrait

    10%

    Final Video Story

    20%

    Final Portfolio

    10%

    Class Participation & Critique

    5%

    Attendance & Preparedness

    5%




    Grading Scale

    Letter Grade

    Percentage Range

    Description

    A

    94–100

    Exceptional work, consistently exceeds expectations.

    A-

    90–93.99

    Excellent work, very strong mastery of material.

    B+

    87–89.99

    Very good work, above average understanding.

    B

    83–86.99

    Good work, demonstrates solid understanding.

    B-

    80–82.99

    Slightly above average, some areas for improvement.

    C+

    77–79.99

    Satisfactory, acceptable performance.

    C

    73–76.99

    Adequate work, meets basic expectations.

    C-

    70–72.99

    Below average, minimal mastery.

    D

    60–69.99

    Poor performance, significant improvement needed.

    F

    0–59.99

    Failing, does not meet course standards.

     

    Earning a Grade

    (All grades are awarded according to assignment criteria for photo and video work.)

    A (Excellent):
    Outstanding work that meets or exceeds all assignment criteria. Demonstrates thorough research, skilled interviewing, and complete accuracy with proper attribution. All multimedia elements (video, photos, audio, interactive) are sharp, well-composed, and technically strong—properly edited, captioned, tagged, and credited. Work could be published as-is or with only minor edits.

    B (Good):
    Strong work that fulfills most assignment criteria with minor weaknesses. May include small issues with focus, grammar/spelling, style, balance, or organization. Some multimedia elements may be slightly subpar (e.g., minor focus issues, weak audio) or contain small technical glitches. Work could be published with moderate editing.

    C (Average):
    Work that meets basic requirements but fails to fully satisfy several assignment criteria. Shows limited news judgment, balance, or accuracy, with noticeable technical and compositional errors. Multimedia elements may be weak or poorly chosen. Would require substantial editing or a major overhaul before publication.

    D (Below Average):
    Work that demonstrates minimal understanding of assignment criteria, with numerous grammatical, style, and factual errors, and/or failure to correctly use required technology and tools.

    F (Failing, 0–59.9):
    Work not submitted by the deadline or so flawed it is unusable.

     

    The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)

    The National Press Photographers Association, a professional society promoting the highest standards in visual journalism, acknowledges concern for every person’s need to be fully informed about public events and to be recognized as part of the world in which we live.

    Visual journalists operate as trustees of the public. Our primary role is to report visually on the significant events and varied viewpoints in our common world. Our primary goal is the faithful and comprehensive depiction of the subject. As visual journalists, we have the responsibility to document society and preserve its history through images.

    Photographic and video images can reveal great truths, expose wrongdoing and neglect, inspire hope and understanding, and connect people around the globe through the language of visual understanding. Photographs can also cause great harm if they are callously intrusive or manipulated.

    This code is intended to promote the highest quality in all forms of visual journalism and to strengthen public confidence in the profession. It is also meant to serve as an educational tool for those who practice and appreciate photojournalism. To that end, The National Press Photographers Association sets forth the following:

    Code of Ethics (NPPA)

    Visual journalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards in their daily work:

    1. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.

    2. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.

    3. Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one’s own biases in the work.

    4. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.

    5. While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.

    6. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images’ content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.

    7. Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.

    8. Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.

    9. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

    10. Do not engage in harassing behavior of colleagues, subordinates, or subjects, and maintain the highest standards of behavior in all professional interactions.

    Ideally, visual journalists should:

    1. Strive to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in public. Defend the rights of access for all journalists.

    2. Think proactively as a student of psychology, sociology, politics, and art to develop a unique vision and presentation. Work with a voracious appetite for current events and contemporary visual media.

    3. Strive for total and unrestricted access to subjects, recommend alternatives to shallow or rushed opportunities, seek a diversity of viewpoints, and work to show unpopular or unnoticed points of view.

    4. Avoid political, civic, and business involvements or other employment that compromise or give the appearance of compromising one’s journalistic independence.

    5. Strive to be unobtrusive and humble in dealing with subjects.

    6. Respect the integrity of the photographic moment.

    7. Strive by example and influence to maintain the spirit and high standards expressed in this code. When confronted with situations in which the proper action is not explicit, seek the counsel of those who exhibit the profession’s highest standards. Visual journalists should continuously study their craft and the ethics that guide it.

    How to Excel in This Course

    • Be present every week, on time, and ready to engage.

    • Complete all reading and assignments on time.

    • Exceed expectations on all projects.

    • Actively participate in class discussions and online forums.

    • Earn extra credit for enthusiasm, curiosity, and openness to learning new skills.

    • Plan ahead: anticipate upcoming BU News Service assignments and your final project. Structure your time to deliver your best work.

    Classroom Etiquette:
    Please restrict unrelated internet browsing, emailing, texting, or other non-course activities during class. During guest speaker presentations, avoid loud typing; tweeting is permitted but should be done discreetly to avoid distractions.
    Points will be deducted for spelling and grammatical errors.

    Professionalism

    You are expected to offer thoughtful critiques of classmates’ work and engage in ethical discussions. While disagreements may arise, professionalism and respect are required in all interactions with classmates, instructors, and guest speakers.
    In addition to assigned readings, students should regularly read and watch traditional news outlets to compare approaches across media platforms.

    General Rules

    Deadlines are a cornerstone of journalism. Missing deadlines in the professional world can cost you your job, so punctuality is essential.

    • Assignments lose one full grade (A → B) for each week they are late.

    • Work not turned in will receive zero credit.

    • Assignments are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified.

    • Final grades are based on the quality, content, and punctuality of your work throughout the semester.

    Speakers

    Throughout the semester, we will welcome guest speakers from the world of online and multimedia journalism. Because of their professional commitments, guest speaker schedules are subject to change. Announcements will be made in advance whenever possible.

    Boston University Policies

     

    Recording

    Please note that classroom proceedings for this course might be recorded for purposes including, but not limited to, student illness, religious holidays, disability accommodations, or student course review. Note that recording devices are prohibited in the classroom except with the instructor’s permission.

    Sexual Misconduct

    Boston University is committed to fostering a safe, productive learning environment. Title IX and our school policy prohibit discrimination based on sex, which regards sexual misconduct – including harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We understand that sexual violence can undermine students’ academic success, and we encourage students who have experienced some form of sexual misconduct to talk to someone about their experience, so they can get the support they need. Confidential help and academic advocacy resources can be found with the Center for Sexual Assault Response & Prevention (SARP):
    🔗 http://www.bu.edu/safety/sexual-misconduct/

    Equal Opportunity

    BU has strict guidelines on classroom behavior and practices when it comes to the treatment of students and guests based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, military service, national origin, or due to marital, parental, or veteran status. Discrimination for any of these reasons is prohibited. Please refer to the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy for more details.

    At your discretion, please alert me to anything related to preferred pronouns, preferred name or nickname, or any extenuating circumstances or trigger warnings (personal, medical, etc.) that might impact your classroom experience. I want to make sure you have the most positive experience in the classroom as possible.

    Disability and Access Services

    If you are a student with a disability or believe you might have a disability that requires accommodations, please get in touch with the Office of Disability and Access Services (DAS) at 617-353-3658 to coordinate any reasonable accommodation requests. DAS is located at 25 Buick Street, Third Floor.

    Student Athletics

    All student-athletes should be provided with a sheet from Student-Athlete Support Services regarding absences throughout the semester. These sheets should be handed in as soon as possible to avoid potential conflicts and so arrangements can be made to provide for missed lecture notes, classwork, or discussion.

    Recording of Classes

    Due to most classes being offered in the Learn from Anywhere format, students should expect each class session to be recorded. It is important to note that recordings on Zoom may capture the chat during the class, including private chats. If you have questions or concerns regarding the recording of this class, please see your instructor.

    Academic Code of Conduct

    The Academic Conduct Code binds all BU students. Please review to ensure you are acting responsibly and ethically in regard to your academics. There may be changes here due to the nature of the pandemic, so please read everything very carefully. Students must be familiar with the college handbook and fully understand the expected code and conduct.

    🔗 Full policy: http://www.bu.edu/academics/academic-conduct-code/

JO205 E1 fall 2025