Chapter 4 Common Sense

Chapter 4 Common Sense

Opportunities for Learning About Others at the U of M campus.

The U of M touts the fact there are over 800 student groups at the U, unless you go to the Student Group activity fair and see them all for yourself, it would be easy to assume that number of 800 is word of mouth inflated.  There is a group for everyone here at the U.

I think that being at a public research university we are able to know more about each other just naturally via class introductions and assigned group projects.  Each professor needs to take the time to make connections with the students, but the students themselves are tasked with taking the introductions to a deeper level.  The concept of common sense applied to this scenario is to be polite, ask questions but reserve judgement, and assume that people in your classes are also here to learn.

I think the best opportunity you have at the U to learn more about someone or something that is from a different culture religion faith tradition or narrative, is multi pronged.  Ask questions of them, listen in class when they share or present, visit the students groups open houses and events and lastly ask people who identify with the shared perspective if they have any questions about you.  Conversations build connections.