PSU FILM seeks to form and maintain a learning community of individuals dependent on the learning and growth of the whole learning community. Our program requires an open-mindedness towards ideas and values which might be different from our own and a willingness to learn about racism, ethnocentrism, cultural prejudice, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, and other forms of oppression. These and other structures of inequality shape the experiences of all people, including all of us.
As a member of the PSU FILM community, I commit to participating with my best efforts at making the program a satisfying learning experience for everyone involved. I aim to support the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of all our members, and agree to the following:
ASPIRATIONS, GOALS:
● Cultivate a warm and collegial space where we take risks and are able to be vulnerable while holding each accountable with love and respect.
● Be respectful – of your own feelings and those of others, as well as of all races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, class backgrounds, abilities, body sizes and perspectives when speaking.
● Recognize your own and others’ privilege – When entering a space, when speaking or not speaking be aware of privilege based on many forms of identity. At the same time, don’t assume the identity of others.
● Be sensitive to challenging content – Our classroom provides an open space for the critical and civil exchange of ideas. Some screenings, readings, productions and other content in this course will include topics that some may find offensive and/or traumatizing. Instructors will aim to forewarn students about potentially disturbing content. PSU FILM encourages you to care for your safety and well-being. You can always leave class if you need to, and talk to your teacher and/or classmates to learn what you may have missed.
● Honor Confidentiality – What we share stays here. If you tell stories about this time, ask permission first or remove identifying information.
● Share from your own experiences – Your perspective is shaped by your tradition, beliefs, identities and life experiences. Speak from your heart using “I” statements to take ownership of what you say. The only person you can truly speak for is yourself.
● Honor silence and time for reflection – This also allows time for others to move up their speaking.
● Practice active listening – Try to listen without judgment, with the intent of understanding the speaker. Listen to understand, not to respond. As soon as you’re thinking “That’s good” or “I don’t like that” or you’re planning how you’re going to respond, you are having a conversation in your mind and not listening to the speaker.
● Agree to disagree… but don’t disengage – Listen with the intent of understanding, not to agree or to believe what is being said. Your presence adds value to our group process. You do not have to agree or believe anything shared; your job is to listen for understanding. Disagree with the statement, not the person if you must disagree.
● Acknowledge the liveliness of language – As an example, “you guys” may be intended as gender neutral but may not be received as such; the term “queer” can be offensive to one person and essential for another.
● Move up, move up – If you usually don’t share much, challenge yourself to share more; if you find yourself sharing more than others, challenge yourself to listen more.
● Suspend status – We are all partners in our quest for insight and understanding, and we each have different areas of expertise.
● Lean into discomfort, agree to be uncomfortable together – Where you are challenged is often where you have space to learn.
● Expect and accept non-closure. There is often no easy solution, and we can expect to remain in uncertainty and with the need to continue to dialogue and explore.
● Agree to give and receive grace. We are all learning together.
CONTENT NOTICES:
● Reading, viewing, studying, writing about, and/or discussing media, their themes and representations, and associated social issues (formal and informal) can sometimes bring up unexpected emotions. Some course materials may contain offensive and/or potentially troubling information, language, images, soundtracks, or narration and may contain references to topics I or other program members find difficult or troubling. These topics may include (but are not limited to) trauma and illness; various types of violence and conflict, including sexual violence; institutional, structural, and relational racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, size-ism, and class oppression; nudity, sexual activity, non-heteronormative sexuality, explicit language, or other “mature” themes; political, philosophical or religious content that I may find frustrating or with which I disagree. Faculty will do their best to provide content notices in advance but may not always be able to anticipate concerns. I will be proactive in articulating my needs. PHYSICAL TRIGGERS: Screening materials may include strobing/flashing/flickering effects, quick cutting, “shaky cam” or other fast-moving visuals that can stimulate seizures or migraines in some individuals. If I am subject to these reactions, I agree to speak to faculty to make a plan for navigating them in class. If my work uses any of these techniques, I will do my best to announce this to the program prior to the screening.
● I also agree to identify my needs, care for myself, and communicate and seek advice and support when I need it – I can always leave class if I need to, and I can talk to a friend or faculty, meet with an Academic Advisor, or seek out the professionals at PSU’s Student Health and Counseling Center.
ADDRESSING CONFLICT:
● I, along with my program faculty, agree to do my best to address conflicts arising in our learning community through direct and honest conversation with all involved.
● If the situation or direct conversation feels overly risky, or if, after talking directly, the conflict remains unresolved, I will bring the issue to faculty.