Rules of Engagement

  1. It is expected that everyone will participate in a mature and respectful fashion.
  2. Participate actively in the discussions, having completed the pre-review material and thought about the issues.
  3. 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 should support the growth and learning of others. You should find ways to acknowledge disagreement while also supporting the growth and dignity of your colleagues. This means that hostile reactions such as eye-rolls, yelling, teasing, or otherwise throwing shade will not be accepted.
  4. 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.
  5. Be cautious of how you use humor. Tone is often difficult to gauge when you don’t know people very well (not as well as you do at a friendship level). Some common forms of humor such as sarcasm can be interpreted as hurtful and demeaning by others. Be aware of the potential impact of your words, regardless of the intentions. Think through your comments before you say them.
  6. Be open to be challenged or confronted on your pre-conceived ideas. The academic classroom is a place where we learn to examine social issues through scientific inquiry. It is no place for uninformed biases.
  7. 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.
  8. Study and avoid engaging in rhetorical fallacies.
  9. Avoid making broad generalizations you can’t back up with evidence (e.g.,“everyone everywhere always does x”). Acknowledge when your personal experience is too limited or privileged to be generalized.

Based on the 3C Fellows rules of engagement