SampleSyllabusRespectStatements

I.GeorgetownUniversityfaculty Sociology144RaceandEthnicRelations YoulandaM.Gibbons Abriefnoteoncivilityandrespect:Indiscussingissuesandquestionsraisedbythematerialsinclass,I expecteveryonetoberespectfulofeachother.Talkingaboutracecanelicitalotofexplosiveemotional reactions,butinordertoadequatelyanalyzeandexploreracialissuesanduncoverthehiddenmeanings ofracewemusthaveacivilclimateinwhichstudentsdonotfeelintimidatedandsilencedbyothers.That meanswemustlistencloselytowhatothersaresayingandbeopenmindedaboutothersopinions.Think ofitthisway;ifyouwanttopersuadesomeonetoseethingsdifferently,itisgoingtobemuchmore effectivetodosoinapolite,nonthreateningwayratherthanjumpingdownher/histhroat.Everyonehas insightstoofferbasedonhis/herexperiences,andwecanalllearnfromeachother. English250 RicardoOrtz Forthecoursetosucceed,studentsmusttakeanactiveandresponsibleroleinbothinclassandoutof classdiscussionandwriting;thismeanscomingtoclasspreparedtodiscussreadingsassignedforthatday, andfeelingfreetointerrupttheprofessor(politely)withquestionsandinterjectionswheneverhegoeson fortoolongandintoomanystrangeandscarydirectionsinhislectures. IntroductiontoJusticeandPeace123 KathleenMaasWeigert ListeningskillsInorderforustohavemeaningfuldiscussions,wemustlearntoreallyhearwhatthe otherissaying.Thatmeansnotpreparingtodebateordenouncewhilethepersonisspeakingbutrather tryingtounderstandtheotherpersonsideaandbeingreadytoseekclarificationifneedsbesowecan advanceourthinking.Civilityisessential. II.Examplesfromotheruniversitiesandfaculty TheUniversityofMemphis CollegeofEducation DepartmentofHealthandSportSciences RecommendedCourseSyllabusGuidelinesandStatements PromotingaPositiveLearningEnvironment: TheDepartmentofHumanMovementSciencesandEducationrecognizesitsresponsibilitytopromotea safeanddiversitysensitivelearningenvironmentthatrespectstherights,dignity,andwellbeingof

3520 PROSPECT STREET, NW #314 WASHINGTON DC 20057 | CNDLS.GEORGETOWN.EDU/TLISI | 202.687.0625

 students,faculty,andstaff.Diversitymeansthefairrepresentationofallgroupsofindividuals,the inclusionofcontrastingperspectivesandvoices,togetherwiththeappreciationandvaluingofdifferent culturalandsocioeconomicgrouppractices.Moreover,weaspiretofosteraclimateofmutualrespect andempathy,amongandbetweenstudents,faculty,andstaff,bynurturinganatmospherethatisfree fromdiscrimination,harassment,exploitation,orintimidation.Departmentalcourseswillstriveto provideanopportunityforallstudentstoopenlydiscussissuesofdiversityincluding,butnotlimitedto, age,disability,ethnicity,gender,race,religiousbeliefs,andsexualorientation. SamHoustonStateUniversity Professor:Dr.JacquelineJensen ClassroomRulesofConduct:Studentsareexpectedtoassistinmaintainingaclassroomenvironmentthat isconducivetolearning.Studentsaretotreatfacultyandstudentswithrespect.Studentsaretoturnoff allcellphoneswhileintheclassroom.Undernocircumstancesarecellphonesoranyelectronicdevicesto beusedorseenduringtimesofexamination.Studentsmaytaperecordlecturesprovidedtheydonot disturbotherstudentsintheprocess. FromManagingHostilityintheClassroom:Abookofresourcesforteaching IndianaUniversitySouthBend Professor:ScottSernau Pleasehonestlyshareideasandlistentoothers.Whilerecognizingthatspeakingupinalargegroupis difficultforsome,andthatourtimeislimited,activeclassparticipationisencouraged.Pleasedonot dominatediscussions,butfeelfreetoofferquestionsandhonestreactions.Theywillalwaysbetreated withcourtesyandrespect.Letsworktogethertocreateanatmosphereinwhichallclassmembers commentsarelistenedtoandrespected. Itsimportantearlyontobeabletodistinguishbetweenpersonalconvictionsandpersonalattacks;the firstiswelcomed,thesecondisnot.Pleaserememberthatgiventhediversityofourclass,whatever groupyouarefedupwithmayhavearepresentativeinthisclassandmaybesittingnexttoyou. JamesMadisonUniversity,Harrisonburg,VA Professors:MaryLouWylieandLennisG.Echterling Overtheyears,Ihavedeeplyappreciatedthethoughtfulness,curiosity,generosityofspirit,andtolerance thatstudentshavedemonstratedinclassdiscussionsandactivities.Iamlookingforwardtoyoubeingan active,contributingmemberbyattendingeveryclass,beingfullyinvolvedinallactivities,offeringyour ideasandobservationstoourdiscussions,andbeingrespectfulofothersattitudesandbeliefs. Syllabusstatementtopreparestudentsforpossibleemotionalchallengesofacourse: Youwillprobablyfindthiscoursetobebothacademicallyrigorousandpersonallychallenging.Youwill havetothinkaboutpainfulsituations,facesomedifficultissues,examineyourownattitudes,andtryout newwaysofthinking.

3520 PROSPECT STREET, NW #314 WASHINGTON DC 20057 | CNDLS.GEORGETOWN.EDU/TLISI | 202.687.0625