I have heard Greg Jordan on more than one occasion expand on the word "collegiate;" to him, the framer of the mission statement, it means that we all operate in a climate of civility.
Civility appeared on my radar last week when I read an article by Robert J. Connelly titled "Introducing a Culture of Civility in First-Year College Classes." This article lists 29 student behaviors that exhibit incivility. Many of the things on the list--like cheating, inappropriate emails to profs, sleeping in class, being unprepared, demands from students for make-up exams or deadline extensions, and hostile verbal attacks or challenges--come to my attention from you every week of the academic year.
Thomas Benton in a 2008 column in the Chronicle of Higher Education said what many of us are feeling, "Whatever the explanation, I sometimes feel stung by students' rudeness. I try to make my classes interesting and relevant, and I care about their learning. I try to conduct myself in a kindly but professional manner. But, more and more, I think the student culture of incivility is a larger impediment to their success than anything they might fail to learn about western Civilization or whatever it is I am teaching."
A quick Google of "civility" brings up George Washington's 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior. Washington copied these rules in his best hand in one of his exercise books when he was about 16 years old. The copying was supposed to improve both his penmanship and his behavior. A second interesting find is a link to a website about a civility initiative at Johns Hopkins.
Part of the discussion consists of attempts to define civility. It is more than merely manners and less than law. I think it must be our willingness to give up some of our selfish desires for the common good. In classrooms that means we must be able to proceed without disruptions so that learning and respectful dialog can occur.
I think we at King College would agree that on civility--or collegiality--is at a new low. I experienced an incident in one of my classes last semester that jolted me; that blatant act of incivility made me realize that we probably need to do something overt to improve our campus climate. Our response could be institutional or individual. Connelly recommends that an institution draft a Code of Academic Civility and teach to that code especially in first-year classes. P.M. Forni, the Johns Hopkins professor behind the Civility Initiative, suggests a written covenant for every class (as part of the course's syllabus) outlining not only what he expects from students but also what they can expect from him.
What action might we at King want to take?
Let's inventory the problems we've been experiencing on our campus, consider the issue, and prepare to take action.
The painting reproduced at the top depicts the "Cartoon for Parson Weems' Fable" painted by Grant Wood in 1939, and Washington's own hand-written copy of the Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, ca. 1744.
I think internet surfing is one of the most disturbing habits I have seen in my classes. They claim to be able to focus both on me and the web site they are seeking, but I don't think that is true. I'm considering a ban on open laptops during my classes.
ReplyDeleteI've already banned opened laptops from my class, Ray, after an experience last year where a student posted disturbing (and disturbed) things about me and the class on facebook -- during the class! I am considering a complete ban of cell phones, or at least the threat of confiscation if I see a student use it. I have in place a clear policy that if a student even touches a cell phone during a test, I take the test and that person automatically fails. This after I 'nearly' caught a student looking up a test question on their phone via the internet--they erased before I could pounce. A couple of days ago I called down a few students in class whose behavior throughout the semester has been excrable and immature -- talking, giggling, head down on desk, writing little notes to one another on their papers. I know no self-respecting 3rd grader in my daughter's class would act like that. I have stopped the class throughout the semester to, rather amiably, draw attention to their inappropriate behavior. To no avail, it seemed, until I was finally forced to execute a full force public scolding. They haven't been back, and although they 'attended' class regularly, they scored a 25, 37, 28 out of 100 on the last exam. So tolerating their behavior does no one any favors. I think bringing up incivility is very important, Katie, and crucial conversation we need to have, and a behavior we need to confront. I have faced several of the incivilities you mentioned above, and I have had to become stricter and stricter in 'core' classes. I would rather them not come to class at all or leave the class, then sit there and text the whole time. This has been my latest approach: be civil or leave my class.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important topic and one that is also timely.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I've had more conversations with faculty members about student behavior (or misbehavior) in their classes this year than ever before.
I think a two-fold approach might be needed... we're developing a policy related to this for the Student Handbook (such behavior is an Honor Code violation) and then it also needs to be addressed in course syllabi so that students know exactly what each professor's specific rules (and consequences) are.
I think it would be interesting to involve some students in this dialog. I have heard from a fair number of student who are disappointed and frustrated with the incivility of their peers.