University of Connecticut
Women's Studies Program
Women & Violence ~ WS 263 01
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
ALL students in this class are co-educators who are required to consider themselves and each other as valid sources of knowledge. You can't participate if you aren't in class! The goal of class discussions is to encourage an exchange of ideas in an attempt to grow in understanding of the issues, concepts, concerns and questions relating to issues of women and violence. A portion of each class will be devoted to discussions in which all will have an opportunity to express responses to readings as well as their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, experiences, etc.
At times we may be amazed at the similarities in what we share. Other times we may be surprised at our differences. We can all learn from both of these experiences as long as we maintain respect for one another. We may challenge, encourage, support, and respectfully disagree with one another. We may not insult, put down, name call, or interrupt each other. Everyone is expected to come to class prepared to make a valuable contribution and each is responsible for being certain the insights of others have an opportunity to be voiced. For meaningful discussions, participants must think for themselves and not simply repeat what they have heard or read.
REMEMBER TO:
1) Prepare--doing assignments and being prepared is essential for class participation.
2) Listen--only one person should speak at a time---do not interrupt---be attentive.
3) Be Open--knowledge requires being open to different perspectives.
4) Encourage--don't be judgmental of others' comments. Stating unpopular opinions requires taking risks.
5) Challenge--it's okay to debate or argue about issues or topics.
6) Respect--we can challenge ideas while maintaining respect of persons.
7) Clarify-- it's important to express what you believe as well as why you believe it. Use course material to develop your arguments. You may agree or disagree with what you have read but you must frame your opinion in the context of course material.
8) Question--education can and should lead to the evaluation of taken-for-granted assumptions. Ask yourself why you hold the beliefs you do? Why might you be more resistant to having certain beliefs challenged?
9) Co-Educate--everyone's contribution is important; together we can help situate private experiences within the broader social context. Everyone benefits when we each take an active role in the learning process.
(If for any reason students seem to be consistently unprepared to discuss the readings, pop quizzes may be given and averaged into class participation grade.)
When you have finished reading these "Guidelines for Class Participation" please send me an e-mail message stating your response. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Marita McComiskey |
Women & Violence - WS 263
Marita McComiskey
mccomisk@uconnvm.uconn.edu
University of Connecticut
Women's Studies Program
422 Beach Hall, U-Box181
354 Mansfield Road, Storrs, CT 06269
Office - (860) 486-1133 ~~.~~ Fax - (860) 486-4789
Last Updated: August, 1996
