Section 1

Section 2

What you can expect from us:

• We will be available for an initial meeting and provide adequate time to discuss your project and questions

• We will respond to communications within a reasonable timeframe

• We will honour scheduled meetings or give as much notice as possible if a change is needed

• We will provide timely, constructive feedback on drafts

• We will offer general guidance on grammar and writing quality, while encouraging you to take ownership of proofreading

• We will encourage critical thinking by posing questions, offering alternative perspectives, and prompting reflection

• We will help you think through ethical, methodological, or analytical challenges

• We will respect your voice, ideas, and ownership of your research

• We will foster a respectful, professional relationship that supports your academic growth

What we expect from you:

• Take initiative to contact your supervisor early and arrange a first meeting

• Come to meetings prepared with ideas, drafts, questions, or updates

• Communicate respectfully and professionally

• Notify your supervisor promptly if you need to reschedule or cancel a meeting

• Maintain a clear plan for your project and adjust it as needed

• Keep track of deadlines and meet them consistently

• Back up your work regularly and store it securely

• Submit drafts or documents in accordance with course and institutional timelines

• Proofread your work before submission and seek additional writing support if needed

• Engage with scholarly literature and reflect critically on what you read

• Collect, manage, and analyze your data in line with ethical guidance

• Respond to feedback thoughtfully and incorporate suggestions into your work

• Be open to questions, challenges, and new ideas as part of the process

Email

Please use your Brock email to contact us via email. Expect up to 48 hours response time if using this method of communication.

Microsoft Teams

This is our preferred method of communication for immediate inquiries, however, please expect up to 24 hours response time.

Office Hours

We do not hold weekly office hours, but instead will schedule a meeting with you, should you want one. To schedule a meeting, please use one of the following links below:

Oya Pakkal: Book time with Oya 

Jaime Barratt: Book time with Jaime 

*If you require a time outside of our availability, please email us

Communication Guidelines

• Respectfully address the instructor and ensure to sign off cordially (e.g., Dear Professor.... Kind regards, [Name]).

• In emails, put the course code (4D51) in the email subject field

• Provide brief context for what you are messaging about.

Pause Before you Press Send

• If you’re feeling upset about a grade you received, it’s important to take a step back before reaching out to your instructor. Give yourself at least 24 hours to cool off and reflect. This helps ensure your message is thoughtful, respectful, and focused.

Messages on the Weekend

• Weekends are our personal time, so we step away from email and messages on Saturdays and Sundays. 

• We appreciate your understanding as we maintain a healthy work–life balance.

Semester 1: 

• Monday September 8th, 2025: 7:00–8:00 pm

• Monday October 6th, 2025: 7:00–8:00 pm

• Monday November, 10th 2025: 7:00–8:00 pm

Semester 2:

• Monday January 5th, 2026: 7:00–8:00 pm

• Monday February 9th, 2025: 7:00–8:00 pm

• Monday March 2nd, 2026: 7:00–8:00 pm