This document outlines an agenda for an academic panel discussion. It includes goals of practicing English in an academic setting and exposure to American culture. Discussion guidelines focus on respectful listening and speaking, with rules like acknowledging others as equals and remaining curious. The agenda also includes preparing for the panel, the discussion, debriefing through individual surveys and group questions, and examples of inclusive language practices in legal writing and using gender-neutral terms.

1. Academic Interactions
IECP
Fall 2015
Nikki Mattson

2. Arrange the Desks into a “U”

3. Agenda
• Preparing for panel discussion
• Panel discussion
• Debriefing
• Using Inclusive language

4. Goals
• To practice using English in an academic
setting
• To be exposed to a component of
American culture

5. Discussion Guidelines
• Ground rules for conversation:
• Acknowledge one another as equals
• Try to stay curious about the speakers
• Take time to think and reflect
• Expect it to be ambiguous/confusing/messy at
times
• Remain respectful and polite

6. Regarding the spirit of our speaking and listening:
• We will speak for ourselves and from our
own experience.
• We will not criticize the views of other
participants or attempt to persuade them.
• We will listen with resilience, “hanging in”
when what is said is hard to hear.

7. Regarding the form of our speaking and
listening:
• We will participate within the time frames
suggested by the facilitator.
• We will not interrupt except to indicate that
we cannot hear a speaker.
• We will “pass” or remain silent if we do not
wish to speak.

8. Panel Discussion

9. Debriefing
• 1) Individual Survey
• 2) Group Discussion Questions

10. Group Discussion Questions
• 1)What was the most interesting part of
the discussion?
• 2) What did you learn from the
discussion?
• 3) What questions to you have after
having participated in the discussion?

11. Examples – pg. 18

12. What is inclusive language?
…

13. Inclusive language in legal
writing
1) What is the key part of legal writing courses mentioned?
2) What does it entail?

14. Gender-Neutral Language
• Video
• What do you think about the importance of
gender-neutral language?
• Do you think the use of gender-neutral
language can shape/influence society?

15. Practice
• Complete A,B, and C on pgs. 18-19

16. HW
• English Central Goal 1 DUE September
13th