TO: Students in CJ 330
FROM: R. B. Taylor
DATE: Sept 6, 1999
RE: Classroom guidelines

This memo summarizes the few comments that you made in class on Friday, when we talked about guidelines for how we listen to and speak to one another. As I mentioned in the syllabus, I want you as a group to decide on the "bounds of civil discourse" [see syllabus]. Since our discussion time on this was rather rushed, I want you all to get back to me and suggest changes to this document. I would hope that we could get to something more specific. Just drop me an email, or drop off a note card. Here are your suggestions about in-class communication so far.

RECOGNIZE VARYING BACKGROUNDS. In a few different comments you suggested recognizing the varying perspectives and backgrounds represented by your classmates. What I heard in the comments was that something might be "true" for someone because of the experiences they have had, but it might not be "true" for someone else because their background is different.

DISAGREE BUT DO NOT CRITICIZE. You talked about how to disagree with one another. You suggested disagreeing without putting one another down. So what is out of bounds is saying "You're wrong," or "How could you be so stupid." Suggested way to disagree is instead: "I hear what you are saying. Your suggestion is [state speaker's main point]. My view, however, is different, because [you provide your evidence, which is the basis of your disagreement].

PROF ROLES mentioned in moderating the class discussions included 1) listening, not blowing you off; 2) giving feedback to the suggestions offered, 3) cutting people off - in a nice way - if they go on too long, 4) making steps as needed to try and spread out the class discussion among participants.