[lg policy] Canada: Laurentian University professor removed for asking students to agree to profane language

Wed Jan 6 18:20:56 UTC 2016

Laurentian University professor removed for asking students to agree to
profane language Laurentian officials in Sudbury, Ont., say professor's
methods violate policies

By Marina von Stackelberg, CBC News
<http://www.cbc.ca/news/cbc-news-online-news-staff-list-1.1294364> Posted:
Jan 04, 2016 9:13 PM ET Last Updated: Jan 05, 2016 9:35 AM ET
[image: Known worldwide for his research on the human brain, Michael
Persinger also won the TVO Best Lecturer Award in 2007.]

Known worldwide for his research on the human brain, Michael Persinger also
won the TVO Best Lecturer Award in 2007. (Marina von Stackelberg/CBC)
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Laurentian prof removed from teaching first year psychology course
09:22

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.

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.

   - *Read the contract and sample questions
   <http://www.cbc.ca/news2/pdf/persinger_sou.pdf> (Warning: Some readers may
   find the language offensive).*

"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."

By using words in lectures that cause emotion, Persinger said he can teach
students about how that affects the brain's rational processes.

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.

"[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."
[image: Restricted course]

(CBC)
Methods were a 'tremendous recruitment tool'

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.

"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.

"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."

Persinger said he gave students the option to change to a different section
of the course if they didn't like his methods.
Classes continue with new professor

No one from Laurentian University was available for an interview.

In a statement, the school said it's committed to providing a safe and
respectful workplace and learning environment.

"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.

"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.
Union says prof's academic freedom 'violated'

Meanwhile, the Laurentian University Faculty Association said it has filed
a grievance against the school for violating Persinger's academic freedom.

"[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.

"The discussion of controversial matters is important to help foster
independent thinking and expression."

'The discussion of controversial matters is important to help foster
independent thinking and expression.' - Laurentian University Faculty
Association

For Persinger's part, he said, the university hasn't told him whether he
will be able to teach the course again.

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."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/persinger-psychology-class-1.3389410

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