Rules of Engagement

Developed by Dr. Amrah Salomón J., Department of English, University of California Santa Barbara.

• It is expected that each student will participate in class in a mature and respectful fashion.
• Participate actively in the discussions, having completed the readings and thought about the topics discussed.
• Throw sunlight, not shade. Like beautiful flowers, we are here to learn and grow together.
  This will involve discussing difficult topics and challenging some of our deepest held beliefs and assumptions with curiosity and respect. In order to do that, your actions and behavior in the classroom should support the growth and learning of others. You should find ways to acknowledge disagreement while also supporting the growth and dignity of your classmates. This means that hostile reactions such as eye-rolls, yelling, teasing, or otherwise throwing shade on your classmates will not be accepted.
• Disagree with ideas, but do not make personal attacks.
  Do not demean or embarrass others. Do not make sexist, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic, or victim-blaming comments. Immature, aggressive, or disrespectful behavior (i.e., the various ways we can throw shade and hate on one another) will not be tolerated.
• Be cautious of how you use humor in class and online.
  Tone is often difficult to gauge in online communication. Some common forms of humor such as sarcasm can be interpreted as hurtful and demeaning by others in an online context when they would not necessarily be interpreted this way in person. Be aware of the potential impact of your words, regardless of the intentions. Think through and reread your comments before you say/post them.
• Be open to be challenged/confronted on your ideas or prejudices.
  The academic classroom is a place where we learn to examine social issues through scientific inquiry. The classroom is no place for uninformed biases.
• Communicate in “I” statements. Don’t tell others what to do or think as if it is a command.
  Instead, describe your own perspective or experience. Speak for yourself; don’t volunteer other people to speak. Consider when it is appropriate to speak from your own experience and when it is better to consider the text or listen to others.
• Study and avoid engaging in rhetorical fallacies.
• Avoid making broad generalizations you can’t support with evidence (e.g.,“everyone everywhere always does x”).
  Acknowledge when your personal experience is too limited or privileged to be generalized.