Proposed Discussion Ground Rules - January 2008

Comments on the summary sheets that class participants turned in revealed broad agreement on what makes for good (and bad) discussion and what we can do to help create an environment conducive to this.

Everyone seemed to agree that productive discussion takes place when everyone comes to class having read material, is willing and ready to share their opinions, and listens to the opinions of others. Bad discussions, on the other hand, are characterized by a lack of preparation and an unwillingness to talk, an inability/unwillingness to stay on the topic, or discussion being dominated by one person.

In terms of things that we can do to increase the likelihood of productive discussion, I am proposing the following ground rules, based on comments provided by discussion groups.

1. Everyone should come to class each session having read all course materials (I would add having taken notes on reading materials)
2. Class participants should come to class WITH QUESTIONS raised by the weeks readings
3. Class participants should make sure comments, to the extent possible, build on those of others. If possible, discussion participants should state how their comments relate to those before them.
4. Class participants should come prepared to speak, to share their opinions, and to listen respectfully to the views of others.
5. Class participants should not interrupt each other or make personal attacks. While we encourage disagreements and discussion, class participants should make sure that they disagree on the basis of evidence and logic.
6. In order to make sure everyone’s voice is heard, discussion group participants should allow everyone to speak before speaking again. When engaging in full class discussions, anyone who has spoken should wait to speak again until other people have been heard (unless asked a direct question by another group member). This means we should all engage in what scholars of teaching and learning call "active listening," in which we pay close attention to the words and intent of others rather than passively listening while rehearsing in our own head what we are about to say. It also means we should pay attention to the dynamics of who speaks to make sure no one's views are marginalized or silenced.
7. The role of of the instructor is to help mediate discussion, neither dominating nor sitting passively while students speak about anything on their minds, but rather helping to move discussion forward, point out areas of disagreement and consensus, encourage participation, and interject where appropriate.