In-Class Discussions & Speech on Campus and Beyond

 Part of this week's topic was on in-class discussions.  Ironically, Hurricane Dorian's threat led to the cancellation of classes and there was no FYE in-class discussion(s). According to the chapter from Cathy Berkenstein and Gerald Graff's book They Say, I Say, discussions in the classroom should bounce off one person's comment and continue throughout the room.  I assume if we were in FYE this week, we would have done an activity where we practice encouraging similar topics of conversation from person to person.  Instead of one person speaking their opinion and another person going off topic on their opinion, we would find a way to encourage deeper creative thought.

  After reading some of "The Power of Dialogue" by Scott London, I assume London would define effective in-class discussion as a group of people engaged on a topic where each individual can contribute an opinion and be encouraged.  In order to be successful in conversation, London states, "The focus is on common interests, not divisive ones." Therefore, collective thinking is the key to a beneficial conversation.

 One factor that could disrupt conversations from being successful are microaggressions. A microaggression is unintended bias from one individual or group that makes another group uneasy- this often applies to race and gender.  According to the article, "What exactly is a micro aggression?" by Jenee Desmond-Harris, "... a key part of what makes [microaggressions] so disconcerting is that they happen casually, frequently, and often without any harm intended, in everyday life."  Students can address microaggressions by talking about personal experience and childhood as well as teachers allowing these conversations. It should be a basis during icebreakers where classrooms understand their own diversity and can be accepting of others.

Image credit: http://www.northcumbriaccg.nhs.uk/news/2017/July/working-together---the-community-and-the-nhs---next-meeting-on-13-july-2017.aspx  

   Another topic of the week was speech and how it is used on college campuses and in the world.  The first amendment determined the definition and right to free speech expression. On college campuses, students and administrators are working to make sure speakers are positive and not preaching hateful speech.  According to the article, "Hate Speech is Protected Free Speech: Even at College Campuses," "This is the first generation of college students to be taught from a young age that bullying is wrong; they have internalized this message."  However, Hate speech is protected by the First Amendment. A public university might not exclude a speaker, nor may students or administrators be punished for the views they express which can be both good and risky.  It is important to gain perspectives that can benefit a group or individual, but there will always be people who have outsider opinions.

Image credit: https://www.thefire.org/news-and-media/free-speech-history-podcast/ 

   

   All in all, I wish we had class this week in particular to be able to gain more perspectives of my classmates and discuss our opinions.  I think it is important to get to know the individuals around me who I am going through a similar first year experience with as a Freshman in college.