As noted in Class Policies, class attendance is important in creating a positive classroom community and promoting the exchange of ideas and the development of knowledge. Please observe that “positive classroom community” and “promoting the exchange ideas and the development of knowledge” include tolerance of diverse viewpoints and respectful consideration of others. Also keep in mind that some of the material and topics we will be discussing can provoke strong responses. Many of our topics in Communication and Gender are sensitive and/or controversial, and may feel quite personal. It is perfectly acceptable to disagree with one another; indeed, disagreement often leads to more interesting and productive discussions – and to greater learning. However, disagreement is not a reason to attack each other. We should be willing to debate ideas without insulting the holder of the idea. Therefore, comments intended to insult or demean other class members will not be tolerated. Basic courtesy and good manners are expected. It should go without saying, but experience has taught me that it must be said: Respect other members of the class. Intensive doodling, reading newspapers or magazines, doing needlework, whispering to the person next to you, using your cell phone, and sleeping all show disrespect. Students should feel free to confront other students on matters of non-participation and disrespect. After all, this is your educational experience; it is your classroom as much as it is mine.

But participation doesn’t mean everyone has to speak up in class every day. I recognize that a number of factors make it difficult for students to speak up in class. And some of these factors, such as speaking English as a second language or being new to EWU, can be daunting. But, I do believe that we as community of learners can take steps to make the classroom a relatively safe place for EVERYONE to speak up if they want to. And I do expect that EVERYONE will try her or his best to speak up when so moved.

More people will speak up if we all avoid a few familiar obstacles to productive classroom conversation: 1) coming to class unprepared and 2) fear of sounding stupid. Both obstacles are avoidable: the former if each student keeps up with the reading, the latter if we collectively agree to a few ground rules for democratic discussion.

• No attacks based on individual or group characteristics such as sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or English language skills
• No esoteric terms or reference to materials unless they are known to all (or the speaker is equipped to define/explain their relevance).
• No individual or groups of individuals may dominate discussion. If you are talkative and notice that you are taking a lot of “floor time”, pause before you speak up and watch to see if someone else might like a chance. It is my job to create balance in classroom discussion, so I will be helping out and encouraging our more quiet classmates to “find their voice.” (If it feels like I’m ignoring your raised hand, I’m probably just trying to give someone who hasn’t yet spoken, or hasn’t spoken much, an opportunity. )