COMM 315 Wk 2 Discussion – Open-Mind Discussion

Open-Mind Discussion

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students and or instructor.

**Please read all the instructions and view the included videos. I have tried to make this a safe assignment for students who are struggling with some of these cultures. I know this from years of posting this assignment. This not about telling anyone who they need to be open to, it is about your own processes.

20 Points possible for a well written response to the question. Your response will include good grammar, spelling, writing and will cite sources when used.

10 Points possible for each reply to equal a total of 40 points possible.

Your response with no replies = 20 points possible.

Your response with 1 replies = 30 points possible.

Your response with 2 replies – 40 points possible.

“A closed mind is a dying mind.”

-Edna Ferber

Due Monday

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words. Then reply to 2 students or instructor with 50 words or more of good writing.

Discuss what it means to be open to new ideas and to be honest about the cultures that you are not open to. Before you answer you might look up information online. I have included some videos.

This not about how telling others how they need to be open, it is about how you see yourself and measure your own openness. We are not telling anyone else, they need to be open.

How might you measure how open-minded you are? How might you challenge yourself in areas that are sensitive or hard to look at to open your thinking about?

How might you come to realize that you have become more open-minded towards a topic or culture?

Share any other thoughts about this topic that will lead to constructive discussion.

Leave us with a question or thought to incite discussion.

Before you answer this, please read the following.

Most of the time, students understand the concept, respond maturely and add to a good discussion. However, in some cases, to my great surprise, students have reacted negatively or with bizarre answers or have even become enraged. In response, I created this list to include the most sensitive topics. This is a process about being open to new ideas and or being honest when we are not. Having this list has helped students feel more safe around this concept. This is a personal journey for where you are and what you are open to sharing.

If you have an issue with this question or aspects of it, message me privately.

Being open-minded does not necessarily refer to any of the following, your response / post should not include these items…

Being open-minded does not condone hurting children, adults or animals.

It does not mean you condone breaking of any laws such as civil rights, employment or criminal offenses.

It does not mean you will embrace poly relationships, swinging or partner swapping. For some students, being open is synonymous with poly relationships and has been the fuel to some very upset students. I made the decision to include this as a line item. If someone finds this curious, be open-minded enough to chat with me privately for more information.

It does not mean the devil will take over your mind.

Note: this list has helped students be more open to being open-minded. It is about an awakening, awareness and a journey that may begin here with yourself, not anyone else.