Inclusive Language: College Class Bans Words “Husband,” “Wife,” “Mom,” “Dad”

[bonnie]

Inclusive Language:  College Class Bans Words “Husband,” “Wife,” “Mom,” “Dad

Written by Philip Hodges   February 6, 2016

In an effort to use only “inclusive language,” one instructor at the University of Florida is prohibiting students from using words such as “husband,” “wife,” “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” even “Mom” and “Dad,” because they promote stereotypes and exclude alternative relationship structures. Violating these communication rules could result in a lower grade.

Professor Jenny Lee teaches a course entitled “Creativity in Context,” a class which, according to the syllabus, “highlights a set of creative thinking tools and provides an introductory overview of the theoretical models of creativity.” Part of her syllabus places boundaries in classroom communication for students. The syllabus states:

Use inclusive language. Speak in a way that does not make assumptions about others based on “norms”, stereotypes, or one’s own identity or experience. Using terms like “partner”/”significant other” rather than boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife; or “family” rather than mom or dad, is inclusive of alternative orientations and family structures, and free of stereotypes.

[…]

Students who do not meet conduct expectations will be given one warning by electronic mail, and continued behavior issues will result in the loss [of] participation points per course instructor’s discretion.

As is often the case, in their attempt to be all-inclusive, the end result is exclusivity. Numerous common words and phrases are to be excluded from students’ communication.

While everyday terms have been banned from her classroom, Professor Lee also requires class participation. Ari Cohn with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) noted that reconciling the two – banning common but “offensive” terms and requiring students to actively participate – will be difficult. In an interview with the Daily Caller, he called Lee’s inclusive language policy “a veritable minefield through which students must tip-toe when they wish to participate in class.” He continued:

“Faced with the possibility of a lower grade, students are likely to refrain from providing their input for fear that the professor or a classmate will be offended by something that they say, no matter how unreasonably.”

These kinds of policies that censor student speech are nothing new. The University of New Hampshire had a “Bias-Free Language Guide” that stated that the term “American” – as well as many others – was offensive.

The views expressed in this opinion article are solely those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Constitution.com.

[phkrause]

I wonder what will be next. I pray that we are all awake and watching as morals continue to go down the wide path!!

[Geoarrge]

Once upon a time, college was for adults.

[bonnie]

6 minutes ago, Geoarrge said:

Once upon a time, college was for adults.

I am really happy my grandchildren are going onto college but it is scary out there

[LifeHiscost]

And what is left when avoiding the Creator's plans, is fully perceived in the lower half of the post.

God is Love!~Jesus saves! 

[Bravus]

Hmm. Certainly 'included' a lot of space in those posts!

[phkrause]

Weird? Wonder how that happens?

[Outta Here]

Quote

 

Safe Education Environment Policy. IDS 1353 Creativity in Context is a combined lecture, discussion and experiential course. This means that, in part, all students are responsible for participating in their own and one another’s learning through open dialogue. Because each student’s contributions of questions and answers are essential, any behavior or language that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome in this classroom can and will not be tolerated. Examples range from simply interrupting or ignoring others while they are talking to overt harassment or intimidation with reference to race, gender identity, sexual identity, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or ability.

Classroom Communications Policy and Guidelines. The following policies and guidelines will be followed in this course: • Use inclusive language. Speak in a way that does not make assumptions about others based on “norms”, stereotypes, or one’s own identity or experience. Using terms like “partner”/”significant other” rather than boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife; or “family” rather than mom or dad, is inclusive of alternative orientations and family structures, and free of stereotypes. Do not speak on another person’s behalf, even if they have freely disclosed personal information to you. If you are asked to do so, seek permission privately first. • Use person-first language. Respectfully put the person before their difference to avoid dehumanizing or marginalizing another person. In this way, the difference or disability is no longer the primary, defining characteristic of an individual, but one of many aspects of the whole person. Ask yourself whether or not it is relevant to name the disability, condition, circumstance or difference at all in the context of the conversation, when speaking of the person. • When using person-first language, name the person first and the condition, circumstance, or difference second, for example "person with autism" rather than "autistic person" or "disabled person", in order to emphasize that every individual is a person first. A good rule of thumb is to avoid “-ic” words, i.e. autistic, schizophrenic, etc. By using such a sentence structure, the speaker articulates the idea of a disability as a secondary attribute, not a characteristic of a person's identity (Snow, K. 2009; Lum, D. 2010; Folkins, J. 1992). • A primary way to devalue someone is through language, by using words or labels to identify a person as "different" or "less-than," or as "the others—not like us" and so forth. The human tendency is to group individuals together based on perceived sets of differences, and this is a biological survival instinct based in tribalism. Language reveals our biases, attitudes, beliefs, and values, which guide our actions and behaviors. One way to change our actions is to become aware of our biases by noticing, and changing, our speech. This communications principle is not about political correctness; it is ethical conduct revealing basic human respect and kindness.

Class Attendance Policy. Please be advised that IDS1353 does not subscribe to a "free cut" policy for any missed classes. This is a highly experiential class and a lot of work will be done in class. Attendance will be taken. A student who arrives to class more than 15 minutes after the class is scheduled to commence will receive an unexcused absence for that class period, subject to approval by the instructor. Also, students are responsible for providing the instructor reason(s) for his or her absence at least 1 day before. The only excused absences are documented illnesses and documented emergencies, subject to approval by the instructor. Missed work for these approved absences may be made up within a timely fashion. If a student misses a class for some (unexcused) reason, they should obtain any material or assignments from another class member. Please note class presentations and materials will not be distributed or made available on Canvas. See UF policies at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx. You will be allotted 1 unexcused absence or 2 unexcused tardies. After that, you will lose 5 points on your Class Participation grade per subsequent absence and 2.5 point per subsequent tardy. Class Conduct Policy. In-class participation and conduct will help you make the most of your IA experience. This highly experiential class requires active dialogue, small group work, and hands-on-exercises to facilitate the learning process. The expectation is that you come to class having completed the reading assignment. You are also expected to give the course material, the instructor, and fellow students your full attention. To focus completely on learning activities, texting, surfing, etc. cannot occur during class time. Inattentive or disruptive behavior that impedes you from fully participating in class or prevents others from paying attention will not be allowed. Students who do not meet conduct expectations will be given one warning by electronic mail, and continued behavior issues will result in the loss participation points per course instructor’s discretion.

 

I think it's a fair policy and am glad to see that our youth and young adults are learning to put the "person" first and the "difference" second. 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

in some respects, I think it's silly.  Identifying words are not necessarily demeaning or marginalizing.  

Suppose someone had to point out a certain person in a crowd.  According to the teacher referenced above, we couldn't say if the person was a man or woman.  It might even be 'off' to describe the person as having red hair, wears glasses, or uses a wheelchair or cane.  If the unidentified person was holding a poodle, we really oughtn't to describe the poodle, and should just say dog... Wait!  Cats would be offended...

[bonnie]

• In an effort to use only “inclusive language,” one instructor at the University of Florida is prohibiting students from using words such as “husband,” “wife,” “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” even “Mom” and “Dad,” because they promote stereotypes and exclude alternative relationship structures. Violating these communication rules could result in a lower grade.

Professor Jenny Lee teaches a course entitled “Creativity in Context,” a class which, according to the syllabus, “highlights a set of creative thinking tools and provides an introductory overview of the theoretical models of creativity.” Part of her syllabus places boundaries in classroom communication for students. The syllabus states:

The man I am married to is my husband. Before any other word the PC crowd would like me to use he is my husband . I do not have to include other relationship structures in describing mine.

Before my sons are simply referred to as family,they are my sons. My sons had girlfriends. They married a "girl friend" and she became their wives.

If someone wants to get tied in knots over this,so be it. 

[Gerr]

Talk about academic tyranny where freedom and independent thinking is supposed to be encouraged!

[Stan]

Am I the only one who sees a problem with the layout of the post?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

2 minutes ago, Stan said:

Am I the only one who sees a problem with the layout of the post?

nope... in the OP, the article got copied and pasted, but too much free space got added on at the end (happens when you don't stop copying right at the end of the article)

[Gerr]

Nope.  Bravus & LHC noticed it.  I noticed it too, but I decided not too make an issue of it.

[phkrause]

It happens Stan.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

14 minutes ago, Stan said:

Am I the only one who sees a problem with the layout of the post?

fixed

[Geoarrge]

Quote

"It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words. Of course the great wastage is in the verbs and adjectives, but there are hundreds of nouns that can be got rid of as well. It isn’t only the synonyms; there are also the antonyms. After all, what justification is there for a word which is simply the opposite of some other word? A word contains its opposite in itself. Take “good”, for instance. If you have a word like “good”, what need is there for a word like “bad”? “Ungood” will do just as well–better, because it’s an exact opposite, which the other is not. Or again, if you want a stronger version of “good”, what sense is there in having a whole string of vague useless words like “excellent” and “splendid” and all the rest of them? “Plusgood” covers the meaning; or “doubleplusgood” if you want something stronger still. Of course we use those forms already, but in the final version of Newspeak there’ll be nothing else. In the end the whole notion of goodness and badness will be covered by only six words–in reality, only one word. Don’t you see the beauty of that, Winston?"
Nineteen Eighty-Four

 

[Bravus]

It's not a college, it's one course.

Using the creativity to replace swear words with other words is something we'd applaud.

You don't think that, just perhaps, using the creativity to find different words for some of our commonplaces might challenge our thinking? Which, by the way, is the main goal of higher education.

If the details on the assessment were accurate it seems a heavy-handed way to do the experiment, but I'm not sure I trust the source.

Easy outrage is easy... and typically misses the point.

[Bravus]

There's a link in the OP to the whole syllabus. Worth reading all of it in context, not just cherry-picking to create an impression.

[Bravus]

As I suspected, the presentation in the OP was not honest. Those ellipses (...) suggest that the penalties for conduct apply to the inclusive language guidelines. They're from completely different parts of the syllabus, and what the conduct guidelines *do* apply to is clearly outlined.

Read the whole document here: http://arts.ufl.edu/site/assets/files/75698/ids1353_lee_1601.pdf

Then decide whether you think the OP describes it honestly.

[bonnie]

The main point is the terms that are no longer to be used. 

Classroom Communications Policy and Guidelines. The following policies and guidelines will be followed in this course: • Use inclusive language. Speak in a way that does not make assumptions about others based on “norms”, stereotypes, or one’s own identity or experience. Using terms like “partner”/”significant other” rather than boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife; or “family” rather than mom or dad, is inclusive of alternative orientations and family structures, and free of stereotypes.

 

The above is taken from the link you provided. Referring to one's husband/wife doesn't have to be inclusive of all

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bravus]

Not banned, though: better alternatives recommended. No penalties, just a suggestion.

I call my wife my partner, because that's who she is.

Trying to find ways to include others rather than exclude them is a good thing. And it's not censorship of language or diminution of language to *increase* our vocabulary, and choose our words for our purposes.

And, again, a credible cause can be supported with truth, not distortion and misleading claims.

[bonnie]

How you refer to your wife is strictly your privilege. How has it come about that in referring to one's spouse you must be careful to be so inclusive that you use words that cover all the possibilities? My son has two business partners,he also has a wife. He refers to her or introduces her as his wife. His business partners are introduced as partners

First and foremost my husband is just that,my husband. Far and above "partner"

I have a large extended family.My four sons are first and foremost MY SONS,far more than the generic term family. 

 

[CoAspen]

Bravus,

Haven't you learned......status quo is the preferred rule in life, challenge ones thinking...are you crazy!!!

[CoAspen]

What was the name of that Shakespeare play...'Much to do about.......'?