Valuing Different Viewpoints

Your syllabus can explicitly communicate your commitment to creating a learning environment in which all students can learn and whose varied perspectives matter in the classroom and/or in the discipline. This value can be communicated through a specific statement and/or infused throughout the syllabus.

Key Features:

  • Explicit acknowledgement that students have different experiences, strengths, and needs–and all have value
  • Stated intention to seek feedback and respond to students needs during the semester
  • Affirmation of the value of considering and/or sharing different viewpoints

MIT Examples:

Everyone in our classroom belongs at MIT – they earned it with their hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments.  Therefore, we must treat each other with the respect that we each deserve.  If the standard of respect is not upheld, please notify the teaching staff. 

The character of the course naturally lends itself to active exchange among participants, thus we encourage, value, and recognize in-class contribution. […] The quality of class discussions improves dramatically when students bring diverse points of view to the issues and debate with one another in a respectful manner. It is fine to disagree with your classmates, provided you show respect for other points of view.

Let’s Talk

If you have any questions or want to talk through your syllabus, please contact Teaching + Learning Lab, GradSupport (for graduate courses), or S3 (for undergraduate courses). If you want to go deeper, please visit the TLL’s Syllabus Checklist to Support Student Belonging & Achievement, a comprehensive, evidence-based syllabus checklist which informed this resource.

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Syllabus Topic:

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