University assignment requires students to 'call out' people for 'micro aggressions'

A course at the University of New Hampshire has drawn criticism on social media over an assignment in which students must confront people who they deem to have spoken in an offensive way.

The assignment requires that students call out real life examples of racist, homophobic, or ableist language and suggest more inclusive ways of expressing themselves. As such, it assumes that students will easily encounter these expressions from people in their lives or at UNH.

The assignment, which was first shared on Twitter by @libsoftiktok, is part of an introductory communications class on social interaction taught by professor Edward Reynolds.

Worth 10 percent of their final grade, the assignment asks students to transcribe their encounter and detail how they approached the situation in a caring way.

According to the description, the assignment requires students to call someone out in person, not for something said online. Students are urged to complete the task "in a safe way," ensuring that they keep a written record of what was said.

A person familiar with the matter spoke to The Post Millennial under the condition of anonymity. They stated that the assignment was an "eyebrow raiser," but that it was still the first week of classes, and as such no further details were provided besides what was on the syllabus. They added that the nature of the assignment, while on its face absurd, may make more sense once context of the surrounding lesson is provided.

They emphasized that the assignment should not be taken to reflect the University of New Hampshire at large, and that their experience as a conservative on campus has been positive, with most professors having no issue discussing various viewpoints on controversial topics.

Dr. Reynolds, who holds a PhD in communication and is an avid powerlifter, has published numerous papers on various aspects of social interaction.  

"In this challenging activity," Dr. Reynolds' description reads, "you will be asked to call in someone on their ableist racist or homophobic use of language, for micro aggressions (or an act of racism) towards a person of color, homophobia against LGBTQI+ or ableism against a disabled person."

Gender is nowhere to be found, Dr. Reynolds explains, due to "some complex theoretical reasons."

"Remember to say you know they mean well and are a good person," Dr. Reynolds adds, "that you care about them and that is why you care that they are expressing their real values, not accidentally being hurtful."

He says that students should "suggest for them an alternate way of expressing themselves that doesn't marginalize or oppress."

There did not appear to a provision offered by Reynolds for a circumstance in which students did not encounter "offensive" language or sentiments from people in their lives, or how to respond if the person they "call out" takes offense themselves.