Instructor Introduction

Jason S. Todd, Ph.D.

My name is Prof. Todd and I use the pronouns he, him, and his. Pronouns are the parts of speech we use to refer to someone instead of their name. Using the right pronoun, like using the correct name or title, is a way to show respect.

About Me

Since 2007, I have been a member of the Department of English at Xavier, where I teach American Literature, Freshman Composition, Modern English Grammars, and The Graphic Novel and Social Justice. I also teach a number of XCOR classes, including College Experience, The City as Text, and Dystopias, Real & Imagined. In 2021, I became the Faculty Director of the Core Curriculum for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Email: jtodd1@xula.edu / j.todd.la@gmail.com
Phone: 504-520-5496 / 504-410-7920

I live on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain with my wife, son, and animals. When I’m not doing school-related work, I am doing DIY projects around our house and property or playing Red Dead Redemption II.

What You Can Expect of Me

You have a right to expect the following from me as your professor:

  • To serve as a mentor and guide to help you learn as best you can;
  • To challenge you to excel as a student and a scholar;
  • To facilitate learning in an interesting and compelling way;
  • To be open to questions and discussion in and out of class; 
  • To provide useful and timely grades and feedback on all coursework; and
  • To provide you with a safe and accommodating learning environment.

We have an opportunity in this class to hear from people with different viewpoints and to open some lines of communication about difficult topics.

  • All opinions are welcome, as long as they are grounded in evidence and presented respectfully. I reserve the right to manage, intercede, side-line, or stop a conversation if it is leading us too far off track or if it is disrespectful to others.
  • While I have tried to make sure our textbook is inclusive, I acknowledge the likelihood that there may be overt and covert biases in the material due to the lens with which it was written. Please contact me with or submit anonymously any suggestions or concerns.

I want to create a learning environment for you that supports a diversity of thoughts, perspectives, and experiences while honoring your identities. To help accomplish this, please consider the following:

  • If you have a name or set of pronouns that differ from those that appear in your official Xavier records, please let me know, and I will do my best to make sure your preferences are honored.
  • If you feel like your performance in the class is being impacted by your experiences outside of class, please speak with me. I want to be a resource for you. If you prefer to speak with someone outside of the course, Dr. Richard Peters, Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, would be an excellent resource.
  • I (like many people) am still in the process of learning about diverse perspectives and identities. If something is said in class (by anyone) that makes you feel uncomfortable, please talk to me about it (again, anonymous feedback is always an option).

Contacting Me

Please feel free to contact me whenever you have a question or concern. I try to respond to emails as soon as I receive them, but when that’s not possible, I will do my best to respond within 24 hours. My office is currently located on the first floor of the Administration Building Annex in Room 104.

Please feel free to contact us whenever you have a question or concern. I try to respond to emails as soon as I receive them, but when that’s not possible, I will do our best to respond within 24 hours. During my scheduled student hours, I am available to meet with any student who wishes to meet with me. I encourage you to come speak with me about any concern or question you have about this class or your other classes. I do our best not to allow other commitments, such as committee meetings, to interfere with my student hours. If meeting in person, for whatever reason, is not possible for you, please email me and I will respond as soon as I can.

During Remote Student Hours, I am available via Zoom and Discord. You can log in to either to speak with me privately. This semester, my Remote Student Hours will be Fridays from 12 to 2. You can also call or text me at if Zoom and Discord are not options for you.

During Hybrid Student Hours, I am available in my office in Admin Annex 104 as well as through Zoom and Discord. This semester, my Hybrid Student Hours will be Mondays from 10 to 12 and Tuesdays 2 to 4.

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