Race, Media and International Affairs 101 FAQ
Answering some frequently asked questions about the Resistance Summer School course, taught by Karen Attiah!
When will the course begin?
The course will begin shortly after the July 4th holiday and will run for six weeks.
Is this an Online course?
Yes!
This will primarily be an online offering, likely on Zoom (stay tuned for the tech details). This will allow people from around the country and world to join in. (No worries about having to deal with immigration or student visas)
For in-person students in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, I am working on possibilities for live lectures with me. Stay tuned!
But I filled out the Interest Form — am I enrolled?
Unfortunately, no.
Filling out the Interest Form does not guarantee enrollment. I was moving fast and testing interest only. Once I saw there was great demand (yes!!) I decided to officially move forward.
To officially secure your spot, you must either:
Complete your payment through the enrollment links here, or
Submit a scholarship request to assistant@resistancesummerschool.com by May 10.
Enrollment is confirmed only after payment + sent confirmation email or approved scholarship placement.
Enrollment for Race, Media and International Affairs 101 is now open!
It’s happening. We’re doing this.
Can I still enroll in the course?
Yes!
Enrollment is open until May 10th or until the course reaches capacity.
I plan to cap enrollment at 500 students.
After May 10th, or once the course fills, I cannot guarantee a space.
Secure your spot soon if you would like to join us!
How much does it cost to enroll? Are scholarships available?
There are five enrollment tiers (Purchase at the links):
Supporter Tier ($100): Access to recordings only (no live participation).
Community Tier ($200): Full live participation, including live lectures, guest speakers. Does *NOT Include Discussion sections*
Discourse Tier ($300): Full access plus eligibility for in-person Salon Lectures (for those located in the Washington, D.C. area).
Anchor Tier ($500): Includes everything in the Discourse Tier plus helps fund a scholarship for another student.
Mentorship Tier ($1,500): Includes everything in the Discourse Tier, plus weekly 1:1 check-ins and writing coaching sessions with Karen Attiah during the course.
If you would like to be considered for a full scholarship, please email assistant@resistancesummerschool.com with the subject line "Scholarship Request" by the May 10th enrollment deadline.
Please note: Scholarship availability is limited and not guaranteed.
Is this course appropriate for all ages?
Yes.
While I previously taught this course at the graduate level at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, this version is open to a broader audience.
We will explore:
The history of mass media in America
Race relations and identity construction
International relations
Current events and media coverage
This course connects the dots between identity, history, and media narratives — no complicated theory required.
Will recordings be available?
Yes.
Recordings of the sessions will be made available throughout the course.
Recordings will expire at the end of the course to keep materials current for future offerings and to maintain an intimate learning environment.
Will this course be available for credit at other institutions?
Not at this time.
However, I am exploring that possibility for the future. Stay tuned!
What days and times will classes meet?
Live lectures by me, Karen: Mondays, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Eastern Time
Guest speakers and/or additional lectures: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Eastern Time
Q&A / Discussion sections: Likely following guest speaker sessions on Wednesdays, or possibly Thursdays.
A finalized weekly schedule will be sent before the course begins.
Is there a public syllabus I can review?
The full syllabus will be shared exclusively with enrolled students closer to the course start date.
It is currently being updated to reflect the most recent events and developments and adapt to a broader audience.
I applied for a scholarship — what are the next steps?
Thank you for applying.
I’ll notify selected scholarship students between mid-May and June, once I have a clearer picture of fund distribution and donations.
If you have not yet applied but would like to be considered, you can still apply by emailing assistant@resistancesummerschool.com with the subject line "Scholarship Request" by the May 10th deadline.
If you are selected, you will receive an email with further instructions on how to confirm your spot.
Thank you for your patience as we finalize the scholarship process!
How are scholarships awarded?
Scholarships are awarded solely based on available funds from higher-tier enrollments (Anchor Tier and Mentorship Tier) and the donation pool.
This is not intended to be a competitive or merit-based process.
We aim to distribute scholarships as fairly as possible based on available funding, and we deeply appreciate your understanding.
Please note:
Unfortunately, applying does not guarantee a scholarship due to limited resources.
Can I join the course late?
No.
Enrollment will close before the course begins to preserve the integrity of the learning experience for all participants.
Can I upgrade my enrollment tier after registering?
Yes!
If you decide you would like to upgrade your enrollment (for example, to access the Discourse Tier and in-person Salon Lectures if eligible, or for 1:1’s with me at the Mentorship Tier), you will be able to do so.
Email assistant@resistancesummerschool.com with the subject line “Tier Upgrade Request”
Will there be homework or assignments?
There will be optional readings and materials provided each week for those who wish to engage more deeply, but no formal assignments, grading, or required homework.
I mean, unless you really, really want to, lol.
Is this a self-paced course or live?
This is a live-taught course.
Recordings will be available for review during the six-week course window, but real-time participation is strongly encouraged for the fullest experience.
Plus, I enjoy teaching live!
Will any of the lectures be live and in-person?
Possibly!
I am exploring the idea of hosting select Salon Lectures live, in-person, in Washington, D.C. for students enrolled at the Discourse tier ($300) and above.
If you are based in the D.C., Maryland, or Virginia (DMV) area, you may have the opportunity to attend.
Final details are still being worked out based on enrollment and location — stay tuned!
Can I share my access or the recordings with others?
No.
Each registration is for one individual. Sharing course materials or access links with others is not permitted.
Will there be certificates of completion?
At this time, certificates are not being offered.
However, this is something that may be considered for future cohorts.
What technology will I need?
You will need:
A stable internet connection
Access to Zoom (free to download)
(And, an open mind, of course)
Full instructions and Zoom links will be provided before the first session.
Will there be readings provided?
Yes.
Recommended readings, articles, and media materials will be provided to enrich each week’s topics. These are optional but encouraged.
Are guest speakers included in the course tuition?
Yes.
All lectures, guest speaker sessions, and Q&A discussions are included with your course enrollment — no additional fees.
What is the refund policy?
Due to the nature of this course and the limited spaces available, all sales are final.
Please be certain you are ready to participate before enrolling.
Thank you for understanding and for supporting this work!
I can't attend the course — can I still support the project?
Yes!
If you would like to contribute toward funding scholarships, guest lecturers, tech support, rental space for live sessions, and planting the seed for future offerings of this course, you can make a donation here:
Your support helps expand access, build the community, and sustain this important work for the future.
Thank you for being part of it.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please email assistant@resistancesummerschool@gmail.com.
Allow 24–48 hours for a response.
For all who have enrolled or donated — I am so excited to learn, reflect, and build with you this summer!
In solidarity,
Karen
Hello,
I so excited to hear about this course. I found you after the summer course was capped off. I completed a form to be waitlisted for a fall course. Do I need to make a deposit for the waitlist or pay in advance for the waitlisted course?
The email assistant@resistancesummerschool@gmail.com is not working.
I am enrolled in Race, Media & International Affairs (recording only at $100), but I'm not clear on where or how to access the recordings.
I'm assuming the email that came today regarding syllabus, course materials, etc., is not for those at the $100 tier. ;-)
Thank you,
Sue Ann Gleason