Statement of Respect

Please read the following statement carefully. Leave a response in the comments, indicating what you think of the statement as drafted (what parts are particularly important? anything we should add or eliminate?), particularly if you have suggestions for changes. If you do not think the statement needs any revisions, please type a statement of your assent: "As a member of English 2593, I agree to abide by these guidelines."

Statement of Classroom Guidelines

Because this class will often be structured around discussion, it is important for us to work towards making our classroom a safe space, one in which everyone feels free to speak openly and honestly without fear of judgment regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic background, religious belief, value systems, age, sexual orientation, or any other factors that shape who we are and what we believe. Such a space, if we abide by these guidelines, can offer more interesting and constructive discussion, more class participation, and more opportunities to learn something new if everyone is made comfortable enough to share his or her perspective. We understand that we cannot fully develop our own ideas about things without carefully listening and understanding the positions of others. In order to create such a space, we agree to:

· Listen: To use our ears and our minds to pay attention to what others are saying, actively listening rather than passively hearing; to listen without interruption (either by cutting the speaker off or by negative body language like eye-rolling, sighing, head-shaking, dirty looks, or laughing) and without judgment.

· Remain open-minded: consider all ideas equally, especially if they differ from our own. State our own beliefs positively without dismissing or judging others who might not believe the same thing and then be willing to hear from those who disagree. Don’t be quick to be offended, take time to analyze what others are really saying.

· Think critically: we don’t just accept things at face value; try to find the deeper meaning by reading carefully, sharing our thoughts with others, and being open to changing our minds. Keep in mind that “right” or “wrong” answers are not the goals of these discussions—each of us is entitled to our own view. As independent thinkers, it is our responsibility to sort through the different opinions and come to our own conclusions about where we stand.

· Question and challenge: pushing ourselves and each other to think more deeply and to see things in a different way.

· Embrace diversity: acknowledge that we all have our differences. Seek to learn from, rather than to dismiss or devalue, experiences and opinions that differ from our own, including the authors and ideas we encounter in our texts. Don’t gang up on anyone who is different from you or who has different opinions than you just because you find yourself in the majority.

· Engage in reasonable disagreement by stating our own opinions without trying to change the way another person thinks. If someone offends us, we can respectfully challenge that person to clarify her or his position (or speak to Prof. West in private.)

· At all times, demonstrate respect for others by using a respectful tone of voice and respectful language, by listening to everyone equally without giving special consideration to those we think have better ideas; by putting away phones and other distractions (which may be distracting to others around is); and by remaining mindful that our opinions may offend others. Additionally, we will act respectfully towards the professor and of the authors we read by refusing to condemn, insult, bash, or talk badly about them.