Wednesday, July 18, 2018



UK: Bath University under fire for barring these three words from lectures and tutorials

A UNIVERSITY has been slammed for pandering to the “snowflake generation” by banning one very common phrase.

Bath University, in Somerset, England, recently held an equality and diversity network meeting, where it was decided that the words “as you know” should be barred from classes.

The idea behind the controversial ban is that it can make certain students feel “inadequate” and stupid if they actually don’t know what the professor is talking about.

During the meeting, a video called Why Is My Curriculum White? was screened which explored ideas of race and belonging on campus.

The clip also showed an unnamed student complaining about the phrase. “Saying ‘as you know’ leads to self-doubt and makes things difficult to question,” the student can be heard saying in the clip.

In minutes of the meeting, the university’s student union race equality group co-chair Berenice Dalrymple is recorded as saying: “Some lecturers used commonly known references stating ‘as you know’, which could make students feel at fault for not knowing and make it difficult to engage with the course content.”

But while the decision was made in order to protect students, many have slammed the policy as an example of pandering to the “snowflake generation”.

According to The Sun, critics include prominent former university lecturer and author Joanna Williams, who said most students were “far more sensible and would not freak out” if they heard the phrase.

“The assumption that students can’t cope with the common expression ‘as you know’ is ridiculous,” the publication reported her as saying.

The latest policy follows comments from Oxford University vice-chancellor Professor Louise Richardson who said at a higher education summit in September last year that universities must stand up for free speech — and that “snowflake” students needed to toughen up.

SOURCE


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Regular college students are still children, but some are really very childish.

Stan B said...

So now assuming that you, a student in my class, has what is very clearly stated as the prerequisite course work to attend my class for credit - is "stressful?" Why? Because it makes you feel like you don't belong in my class if you don't have a basic grasp of the prerequisites?

Maybe, instead of asking me not to assume your knowledge, you put your big-boy/girl/thing panties on and bone up on what is obviously a lack of knowledge on YOUR part!

Anonymous said...

Curiously I think the words 'as you know' might be an appropriate term for question - but not for the reasons given.
I think a University should encourage its students to always be questioning and seeking to challenge established views and ideas.
The term 'as you know' might suggest to some that there are some ideas that are beyond question or reconsideration.
If it was for that reason, I might support the discouragement of the term.
However, to do it because some lack the basic information necessary for the course is a stupid reason.

Stan B said...

Anon 6:59PM

In a Classroom Environment, there are some questions that are beyond reconsideration for purposes of the class.

If I am studying infections diseases, then germ theory is beyond question or reconsideration. Unless you're suggesting that we take seriously those who blame Voodoo or curses for some diseases.

If you're taking the 3rd course in a 3 term study of the Rise and Fall of Adolph Hitler, then the Historical Facts which you showed a grasp of in term 1 and term 2 should be beyond "reconsideration." That Hitler, for example, was elected Chancellor of Germany in 1933 is something you "should" know.

Bird of Paradise said...

Grow Up Snowflakes and climb out of your Playpens and your Parents Basement their turning it intoa combination sewing room and mans cave no snowflakes allowed