Your Syllabus and Culturally Responsive Teaching
Start with the Syllabus: Include university and personal values that show your embracing of and expectations for a culturally responsive classroom. You can also include communication ground rules such as:
- "Discussion in this class will be conducted in adherence to the University nondiscrimination policy."
- We should respect diverse points of view. We do not need to come to an agreement on any particular issues: we can agree to disagree.
- Our use of language should be respectful of other persons or groups. (As your instructor, I will not let injurious statements pass without comment.)
- You need not represent any group, only yourself, though you may choose to represent a group if you wish.
- If you feel uncomfortable about any aspect of the class environment, it is your responsibility to discuss it with the instructor." (1)
(1) Branche, Jerome., Mullennix, John W, and Cohn, Ellen R. Diversity across the Curriculum : A Guide for Faculty in Higher Education. Bolton, Mass.: Anker Pub., 2007, p. 20.