I have to say, I was struck last week by the question we were discussing of what kinds of curriculum teachers (or public schools in general) should have, who decides what that curriculum is to be, and how many hands are in the pot, so to speak. Its a sticky issue and my many lenses on the matter force me to look carefully through those of others. As a teacher--of course a college teacher--I am always amazed at the degree of freedom I have in planning classes, readings, discussions and the like. Of course, I do run up against some limitations and its just that point I want to write about this week.
I raised the observation in class that since we are discussing the example of Annie Sprinkle this week in seminar, that I wanted to show a clip from Monika Treut's film "Female Misbehavior" a film I first saw years ago at the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It was the first time I'd heard of Annie Sprinkle and was I floored. I just don't think I had ever seen anyone like her. Since Nan Levinson has a chapter about Sprinkle in Outspoken, our text for this class, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to have all of us view and decide.
But, as I was screening it last week and I just decided it was "too much" for class. Now Polgara, in our class, lamented that this was interesting that I might "censor" myself. I think its a little bit different from this assessment, so I want to consider an alternative.
I think its partly an ethical question and, frankly, a fear of a little embarrassment, than it is censorship, but I would be interested in seeing what others think. As a gay man, I am constantly aware of how sexuality is contested in contemporary U.S. society--especially anything remotely "different" or out of the mainstream. Annie Sprinkle, and other self described pro-porn feminists like Susie Bright (caution--some nudity here) were part of a wave of "pro-sex feminists" who pushed back at other feminist critiques of pornography. Sprinkle, and her unabashed attempt to demystify women's bodies, really pushed the envelope a little, some say, a little to far. I think what I was afraid of doing was re-producing those battles in class without the requisite groundwork. Would it be ethical to through the film out there and just see what happens? Or, would we need more background to discuss it in an ethical way? Or, was I just afraid to be the professor who showed "porn" in class. :) (Although this film is not porn, but documentary, experimental, and about someone who claims an identity as a performance artist).
I think I was also shaped by one prior experienc. When I first taught my GLBT history course at CSUMB (the first official such class to be offered here) I was nervous about it. During one film, I had a few students walk out of the video, presumably because it showed men kissing. A few critical teaching evaluations later about those films.... and you get the picture. So, I thought at the time... "oh my, this is about me and I should have been more respectful of those students." But, upon reflection, I realized that my reaction was a classic example of how self-censorship happens. Why should I apologize for a film showing real gay people!? What's to be ashamed of here? So I vowed it would not happen again.
Hmm... so now I'm back to this semester, and I just can't show that film. I wonder why this pushes my buttons and whether students would even care as much about it as I do. This is definitely worth further discussion.
4 comments:
While I understand the myriad of reasons/thought processes you have considered in this decision, I will throw my opinion in.
The question I would ask myself in determining whether to show the film or not is: "Does the film illustrate something valuable and relevant to the lesson I'm trying to teach?" If the answer is yes, I would encourage you to show it...with the caveat that some may be offended by the material and are free to leave the class if they feel they need to.
However, I know personally that things that seemed outrageous, embarrassing, uncomfortable, etc. have stretched my ideas and experience. They have influenced me...good or bad. Believing that exprerience is a good teacher, I would think showing the movie a good thing.
Whatever you decide to do, I know it will be a well-thought-out decision.
This issue is too complex to just say "show it" or "dont show it". The balance between the risqueness of the film vs. the educational aspects is one that would be hard to maintain.
As a profesor, I do not think you need to apologize for showing films that may go against the beliefs of cetain students. However, I believe that it is the profesor's job to be sensitive to the values and concerns of students.
Personally, I think it is better to allow students to investigate Anna Sprinkle on their own, rather than show it in class. This is not to say that I would have been offended if you had shown it. I wouldn't have and would have repected your decision because I know you have the best interest of the class in mind. I woulod have chosen not to come because of my faith and how I try to apply that to my entire lifestyle.
Basically, I am just pointing out that this is a tough situation with no simple answers. I am learning to actively listen to all perspectives other than my own because I am not all-knowing.
Thanks for expanding my awareness.
My comments were not meant to be critical of you personally. I thought that perhaps you were basing your decision not to show certain material in class based upon the University's outside influence.
Much of what we have discussed in class has addressed what is societally acceptable (during certain points in US history). Given your openness about your sexuality and the fact that extremely controversial issues such as pornography were planned on the syllabus, it never occurred to me that you would "self-censor" the material to be shown in class. After reading your comments, and contemplating the issue from a less academic and more personal perspective, I definitely can see why you might make that decision. I am guilty of assuming that students are open-minded and not necessarily easily-offended, but that isn't always the case (unfortunately).
I agree with the comments above. There isn't much point in showing controversial material purely for the shock value. There must be a purpose, an outcome, something to be gained or understood.
In the case of potentially offensive material, I would suggest that it be added to our homework. In that way students would have the opportunity to explore on their own comfort level without facing the potential embarrassment of having to walk out in the middle of class due to personal convictions. Students that are disturbed by this material would have the opportunity to reflect on their reaction to the material (or even the idea of the material). That in and of itself is a learning experience. After all, this class satisfies MLO3 which has the following objectives:
# the ability to self-reflexively identify and describe one's own relevant beliefs, attitudes, and values in their sociohistorical context without imposing them onto others
# the ability to identify and describe other decision-makers' relevant beliefs, attitudes, and values in their sociohistorical context without judging them
I am glad that you are so forthcoming about this situation. I enjoy this class more than any other that I have taken, not because it is controversial, but because it makes me think. Free speech issues force us to continually prioritize our values. I would argue that the class discussion of your dilemma on showing controversial material was more of a learning experience than the actual viewing would have been.
On a more personal note, I find it very inspiring to know that my professor is a human being above all else. As a student I am guilty of sometimes forgetting that my professors are people too. Thank you for forcing me to reevaluate that perspective.
I wanted you to show the material and give the option of leaving the classroom. Part of life is being able to choose to do something. You being scared to show that video in a free speech class was just so funny to me. As a professor, you are given a great deal of leway into what kind of curriculum you are going to use in the classroom, I just wish more teachers would use that right. Sex is a part of life, and without it relationships are usually not healthy. Of course there are some exceptions, but in reality sex is a huge part of life. I think that the censorship on sexual behavior in the United States is ignorant. Sex is considered by many people to be "bad" or "dangerous". There are ways of having save sex that can lead to many benificial health factors. I just truly feel that we shouldn't be so scared of sex in general and that it should be more socially acceptable to talk about it in public. I am not suggested we go out and have sex with tons of people, because I certainly don't do that, but I do think there should be more tolerance. It is part of life, and how we pro-create, so why be ashamed of it.
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