The Fall 2023 Geographies of Gender course was guided by the below class expectations.
- In our group conversations, you must raise your hand or indicate your interest to say something and wait for the instructor to indicate it is your turn to speak.
- If something triggers anger in you in this class and you want to talk about it, take a deep breath first, calm yourself, and then put up your hand.
- Under no circumstances dismiss anyone else’s experience.
- If someone shares a story or an idea that triggers you, your task is not to counteract their experience, it is to observe in yourself your reaction and consider why you reacted that way.
- Try to take the position of curiosity and openness – practice deep listening – in this course, not dogmatism.
- Dogmatism – “the tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others.”
- When/if others share emotionally charged or upsetting stories, hold space for them – do not contradict, make light of, or argue against someone else’s experience.
- If someone shares an opinion that has the potential to be harmful, the instructor will address that opinion.
- Learning takes time. Try to show patience for those who may not immediately understand some of the challenging topics we will be covering.
- Practice confidentiality in this course.