<div dir="ltr"><h1 class="">Laurentian University professor removed for asking students to agree to profane language</h1>
<h3 class="">Laurentian officials in Sudbury, Ont., say professor's methods violate policies</h3>
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<span class="">By Marina von Stackelberg, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/cbc-news-online-news-staff-list-1.1294364">CBC News</a></span>
<span class="">Posted: Jan 04, 2016 9:13 PM ET</span>
<span>Last Updated: Jan 05, 2016 9:35 AM ET</span>
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<img title="" alt="Known worldwide for his research on the human brain, Michael Persinger also won the TVO Best Lecturer Award in 2007." src="http://i.cbc.ca/1.3389424.1451959302%21/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/michael-persinger.jpg" height="349" width="100%"> <p class="">
Known worldwide for his research on the human brain,
Michael Persinger also won the TVO Best Lecturer Award in 2007. (Marina
von Stackelberg/CBC) </p>
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<span class="">Laurentian prof removed from teaching first year psychology course</span>
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<p>A Laurentian University professor in Sudbury, Ont. says he has been
stopped from teaching a first-year psychology class after asking
students to sign off on his use of vulgar language.</p>
<p>Dr. Michael Persinger, a neuroscientist, said he asked students in
his introductory psychology course to sign a "Statement of
Understanding" during the first lecture. The statement lists a sample of
words that might be used during class, and includes the F-word,
homophobic slurs and offensive slang for genitalia.</p>
<ul><li><strong><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news2/pdf/persinger_sou.pdf" target="_blank">Read the contract and sample questions</a> (Warning: Some readers may find the language offensive).</strong></li></ul>
<p>"One of my techniques is to expose people to all types of different
words," Persinger told CBC News. "Silly words, complex words, emotional
words, profane words. Because they influence how you make decisions and
how you think."</p>
<p>By using words in lectures that cause emotion, Persinger said he can
teach students about how that affects the brain's rational processes.</p>
<p>But in December, two months into the course, Persinger said he was
called into the office of the university provost and told he would no
longer be teaching the class.</p>
<p>"[I was told my] statement of understanding interfered with the
senior administration's idea of the workplace policies, specifically the
respectful workplace policies. When I asked for details, I didn't get
any."</p>
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<img src="http://i.cbc.ca/1.3389799.1452001816%21/fileImage/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/original_620/restricted-course.JPG" alt="Restricted course" width="100%">
<p class=""> (CBC)</p>
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<h2>Methods were a 'tremendous recruitment tool'</h2>
<p>Persinger said he has asked students to sign the form for years and
never received a complaint. In fact, he said, it encouraged some to sign
up.</p>
<p>"It's also a tremendous recruitment tool. Students enjoy the fact
that it says 'restricted' on the top. What they like about the class is
they can ask any question they want, no matter how politically
incorrect," he said.</p>
<p>"And we will discuss it in a rational way, using data more than
emotional argument, more than political correctness and more that just
social agendas."</p>
<p>Persinger said he gave students the option to change to a different section of the course if they didn't like his methods.</p>
<h2>Classes continue with new professor</h2>
<p>No one from Laurentian University was available for an interview.</p>
<p>In a statement, the school said it's committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace and learning environment.</p>
<p>"It was recently brought to the Dean's attention that a Statement of
Understanding issued to students by Dr. Persinger was not in compliance
with Laurentian University policies," the statement reads.</p>
<p>"Dr. Persinger was removed from teaching this course pending an
investigation," the statement continues, adding the chair of the
psychology department has taken over teaching the year-long course.</p>
<h2>Union says prof's academic freedom 'violated'</h2>
<p>Meanwhile, the Laurentian University Faculty Association said it
has filed a grievance against the school for violating Persinger's
academic freedom.</p>
<p>"[That] includes freedom of teaching, research and discussion, no
matter how controversial, without reprisal or censorship," union
president Anis Farah wrote in a statement to CBC News.</p>
<p>"The discussion of controversial matters is important to help foster independent thinking and expression."</p>
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<span class="">'The discussion of controversial matters is important to help foster independent thinking and expression.'</span>
<cite class="">- Laurentian University Faculty Association</cite>
</blockquote>
<p>For Persinger's part, he said, the university hasn't told him whether he will be able to teach the course again.</p>
<p>He said he's trying to change the nature of university lectures,
"from a boring prof blathering away in front of students, to making it
an integrative classroom where questions are encouraged, and critical
thinking is developed."</p><p><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/persinger-psychology-class-1.3389410">http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/persinger-psychology-class-1.3389410</a><br></p><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/" target="_blank">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
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