GUIDELINES FOR CIVIL DISCOURSE IN THE CLASSROOM
CRIMINAL JUSTICE 141 -  FALL 2000
Generated: September 8, 2000

In class on 9/8/00, you broke into small groups and discussed guidelines for speaking to each other, and listening to each other in this classroom.  Here is a draft set of guidelines, based on what the different groups wrote. If these need to be changed or clarified let me know.
GUIDELINES

1. LISTEN RESPECTFULLY "Let people finish what they have to say ... Let people explain themselves"; "Don't cut into what someone else is saying"; "let others speak"; "don't dominate the conversation" - In short, let's hear each other out.

2. SPEAK RESPECTFULLY "speak in a pleasant tone" "no offensive language"; "no yelling"; "no name calling"; do not say other people's ideas are "wrong or stupid"; "avoid stereotypes." There is a lot behind this general idea including a) how we speak; b) not labeling people because of what they think - the opinion is not the person; c) avoid evaluative comments about people's opinions; and d) avoid lumping the person with a broader group of persons who have negative traits.

3. RESPECT DIFFERENT OPINIONS "understand that we all have different views and lives that have formed our views, not all households growing up are like yours"; "agree to disagree" For this to work we will need to be clear when we are discussing opinions vs. facts. We can differ on opinions, but hopefully we will be able to agree somewhat on the facts.

4. DON'T MAKE IT PERSONAL/DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL "don't attack individual people on certain issues"; "don't put labels on individuals for their opinion" The main idea here seems to be don't personally criticize people because of what they say - this is partly captured in 2.

5. STAY FOCUSED "Keep to topic at hand" ; "get to the point" This is a hard one and I will try and make distinctions when a discussion gets going about what seems to be more vs. less relevant, and will try to point up the most relevant material. If you feel that when I am doing this I am missing key points you are trying to make, talk to me after class and we can discuss.

6. QUEUE UP If a discussion is ongoing: "raise your hand" - many groups mentioned this - if we can follow this idea it will help move along our discussions.

7. NO TAKE-AWAY GRUDGES "leave all conflicts and issues in the room" I think the idea I was hearing here from your comments in class is that if we have real different views about something, express them in class, but forget about the differences when class is done.

COMMENTS FOR THE PROFESSOR AND MY REACTIONS
      "Please do not call on students at random" There may be times when I try to draw additional people into the conversation. I know that in a large class many people don't like talking up. What I may try sometimes is asking you to write something, and then asking you to read it to the class.
     "Professor should mediate the argument and interject with facts" As I explained on Friday, I sometimes try to follow the guided group discussion model. According to that my role includes a) helping to get different opinions or viewpoints onto the floor; b) providing comments that summarize or clarify different views; c) trying to put the discussion in a broader context by bringing in additional information, or readings, or other material.
     "Please do not overwhelm us with readings" You can see what the assigned readings are from the syllabus. To avoid getting overwhelmed, feel free to get started now.