Three Fresno City College instructors say they work hard to ensure the balance between personal beliefs and student beliefs when discussing the topic of homosexuality in their classes.
The college’s recent decision to discipline health science instructor Dr. Bradley Lopez for engaging in “Bible-based instruction” and “disparaging remarks about homosexuals” has led students, faculty and staff to question the boundaries of academic freedom.
The big question: How can instructors express their beliefs and also explore tough topics such as homosexuality without making students feel alienated?
In e-mail interviews, The Rampage talked with three Fresno City College instructors to ask them how they introduce and moderate discussions of homosexuality in their respective classes. Here’s what they said, in their own words.
Wendell Stephenson
Ethics
Question: How does the topic relate to the material taught in your class?
Answer: I deal with ethical issues of historical and contemporary interest. In my ethics course, the subject of the moral rightness/wrongness of homosexual sex is discussed, as well as the issue of gay marriage. The topics have been fixtures of my course since 1999 at FCC.
Q: How do you express academic freedom or your beliefs about the matter when covering this topic?
A: The arguments for and against are fairly presented and an open critical discussion is held.
Philosophy is, among other things, the critical pursuit of truth about whatever issue seems relevant. One is to follow Socrates in “following the argument that seems best to whatever conclusion it leads.”
Q: Are you sensitive to creating a non-hostile environment in your class in regard to this topic?
A: I ensure all sides are fairly represented and that those who want to speak are treated with courtesy and respect.
Linda Vang
Sociology
Question: How does the topic relate to the material taught in your class?
Answer: The topic of homosexuality is part of a study unit called “Sex and Gender.” I bring in homosexuality when I discuss a framework called the “transgender continuum.” In doing so, I discuss homosexuality and heterosexuality, but also asexuality and bisexuality under this framework.
Since sociologists discuss norms, I do present the idea that our culture views heterosexuality as the “norm” and that everything that is seen separate from that is often devalued in a society, unfortunately. This gets students to consider what societal dynamics underlie our views on homosexuality.
Q: How do you express academic freedom or your beliefs about the matter when covering this topic?
A: I do not give my opinion about homosexuality, unless a student asks. I make it very clear what my opinion is and how that may differ from what other students may think. I want students to be able to draw their own conclusions and formulate their own views. Their views can differ from mine, and I respect that.
Q: Are you sensitive to creating a non-hostile environment in your class in regard to this topic?
A: I am very in touch with not creating a hostile environment. I tell students from the onset that sociology is a very challenging, rewarding, yet controversial discipline for some. When we discuss issues, we can disagree, but that must be done in a kind, respectful and caring manner.
Rebecca Slaton
Health Science
Question: How does the topic relate to the material taught in your class?
Answer: I introduce the topic of sexual orientation by using a multi-disciplined approach. Specifically, I cover various theories of sexual orientation: psycho-social, behavioral, hormonal theories and neural-brain theories. I discuss whether any current scientific data support any of the theories and if so, what the evidence is. I discuss research on homophobia.
Q: How do you express academic freedom or your beliefs about the matter when covering this topic?
A: I acknowledge that students have a variety of views regarding homosexuality and tell them that I respect their beliefs even if I don’t agree with them.
I believe that students have the right to have the best, current factual information and I don’t believe Dr. Lopez was giving factual information regarding sexual orientation issues.
Q: Are you sensitive to creating a non-hostile environment in your class in regard to this topic?
A: I acknowledge that students have a variety of views regarding homosexuality and tell them that I respect their beliefs even if I don’t agree with them. I try to encourage a conversation and defend any student – which rarely happens – if the class tries to gang up on him or her for expressing his or her view.
Everything I discuss is part of what is required by the outline for that chapter and can be found in any textbook on human sexuality that covers sexual orientation.
