Course Outline:
The course is divided into three modules, concluding with a list of
"best practices" for promoting civility on campus. The first module focuses
on how civility might be defined-and whether colleges should have any role in
promoting it. The second module explores the possible regulation of
offensive or uncivil expression, including "hate speech" and
profanity. The third module will consider broader, environmental approaches to
promoting civility inside and outside the classroom.
Learning Outcomes:
Active participants in the course will:
- Review and evaluate competing definitions of civility;
- Explore the value and purpose of civility in campus life;
- Learn distinctions between unlawful harassment and expression protected by the First Amendment;
- Examine ways civility can be promoted inside and outside the classroom;
- Consider ways students can become active participants in defining and promoting civility;
- Receive a list of "best practices" for promoting civility on campus;
Participant Expectations:
Participants will be expected to devote approximately fifteen hours
to the course (five hours for each of the three week modules). Assignments
will include selected readings and discussions. Active participation in
online discussions will enhance learning outcomes. At the close of the
course, each participant will be asked to submit a short list of at least three
"best practices" for promoting civility on campus, drawn from course (or
personal) readings, or their own professional experience.
Individuals registering for CEUs will receive 1.0 CEU upon successful
completion of the course.
Instructor Bio:
Gary Pavela writes law and policy newsletters to which over 1,000
colleges and universities in the United States and Canada subscribe.
He has been an administrator and Honors Program faculty member at the
University of Maryland for over 25 years. Pavela has an M.A. in
intellectual history from the Wesleyan University, a law degree from
the University of Illinois, and has been a Fellow at the University
of Wisconsin Center for Behavioral
Science and Law. He was a law clerk to Judge Alfred P. Murrah of the
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, a faculty
member for the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C (the
training arm of the United States Courts), and a staff attorney for
the State University of New York, Central Administration. He has
taught at Union College, Colgate University, and currently serves on
the Board of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University.
In 2002 Pavela was designated a Fellow of the National Association of
College and University Attorneys. Fellows of the Association are
identified as individuals who have "brought distinction to higher
education and to the practice of law on behalf of colleges and
universities across the nation."
In 2005 he was awarded NASPA's "Outstanding Contribution to
Literature and Research Award."
