This critical duoethnography takes silence in classroom discussions as a sociocultural artifact that reveals the norms of the society that upholds it. In this research, we made visible and explored the content of silence we experienced as international graduate students. We found that repeated patterns of silence in classroom discussions acted to…

The normal conflicts that arise as a result of teacher/learner interaction rarely cause open incivility, but they can generate powerful emotional tensions that can destroy the relationship if they are not detected and remedied early. A five-step process is offered for repairing and rebuilding damaged relationships between college students and…

A common variable in uncivil behavior is strong emotional reaction. If distressing emotion in the college classroom could be moderated, inappropriate behaviors might be reduced. One model of rational emotive behavior therapy offers insights into the sources of teachers' and students' emotional responses and the effects on the learning and teaching…

By helping faculty collaborate to enrich their teaching abilities and by supporting them when faculty/student relationships occasionally fail, the department chair models leadership skills that faculty themselves can use. The skills of leadership correspond very closely to good teaching skills, and can be combined with the skills of principled…

By adopting interactive methods and being sensitive to students' concerns, teachers can minimize uncivil behavior, even in large classes. Solutions found helpful by a number of faculty members focus on several issues, including setting clear expectations, addressing majority needs and rights, taking a proactive approach, and personalizing large…