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Classroom Policies are outlined on the syllabus, explained during class on the 1st day, presented in the Receipt and Acknowledgement, and are available on this webpage any time.
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If you have any problems, please come and speak with me during my office hours, or contact me to set up an additional time during school hours.
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Free Speech and Topics Discussed
Unlike what may occur elsewhere in other classes, or colleges, this class provides a safe zone for all students regardless of their status - most especially to students wishing free expression of ideas and intellectual development. Education is NOT about regurgitating what you are taught - it is about learning.
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Critical thinking is critical. It is my opinion, that much of what we are told is critical thinking, is more likely deductive reasoning. Critical thinking examines issues, deconstructs their origins, examines their causes, and confronts what we believe and why. It does not presume. It opens every sacred idea up for discussion and review. Protection of diversity of thought is worth protection.
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Without the ability to freely express yourself, however much I may disagree, or someone else may disagree, is vital to the freedom of everyone. The 1st Amendment means little if speech is restricted anywhere (with the exception of decisions/opinions of the US Supreme Court, which are by virtue of their body, deliberators of what is Constitutional).
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In my classes, we will be tolerant, respectful, and listen. We will allow all voices to be heard.
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We will not lock students out of the classroom at any time. We will not force students to listen to our political rants, unless students are also able to express their views during class. And we will do so in a respectful manner.
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Everything discussed in the class, is and will be related to the broader subject of history. Whether US history or the history of Western Civilizations or the World ... there is no subject that is not related to history in some form.
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Speech though is not without responsibility. We must accept that words have meaning. I like you - has meaning. I hate you - has a meaning. All words have meaning and we have a responsibility to understand the meaning and accept responsibility for the words spoken.
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Free Speech is not free and it is not something you can use whenever you wish to criticize or attack someone. For more information on the limits fo Free Speech, please see the US Constitution, or even more importantly for us - USSC decisions regarding free speech.
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Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 1969.
Bethel School District v. Fraser, 1968
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 1988
Morse v. Frederick, 2007
Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)
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These are just a few, and a beginning.
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We do not decide that we have a right - the Court does. We exercise our rights as protected by the Constitution. A right. We should not abuse our rights, nor infringe upon the rights of others, lest we lose our right.
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