Everyone in college experiences being invested in a class, participating in discussions, and enjoying its contents.  The courses that a student takes usually pertain to their major or are in their range of interest. However, some students are taking several classes to fulfill CORE requirements or prerequisites. In these classes, students are encouraged to engage in the material and discussion. In this sense, they are outnumbered if they are not like-minded in terms of sharing beliefs and attitudes of the subject matter. I believe that in these scenarios, they may feel that they are not part of the ingroup of the class mindset in terms of the discussion dialogue. For example, in Social Work and Sociology classes, the majority of attitudes held by the class are more progressive-leaning. In such classes, students learn subject matter on terms such as intersectionality, race, gender, and social movements. 

The themes presented may be taught through scholarly readings, such as articles or books on specific issues in modern society. If the class is discussion based, then these ideas are expressed and discussed through interpretations and opinions on the presentation of these specific ideas or issues. In addition, some of the social issues that the course looks into may be a sensitive subject to some students or a matter of securely held beliefs. 

Let us imagine that a professor presents a social issue through an article of analysis and interpretation, and each student verbally annotates or discusses it. There may be opinions expressed during these discussions that show the meaning and value held on this topic.  Assuming that most of the students in the class are of the same mindset when approaching the social issue presented, there is then a locked consensus when discussing the subject matter in class from there on out. 

This dynamic of classroom etiquette is being explained for the purpose of awareness when conceptualizing the idea of empathy in a classroom setting, as well as keeping in mind that each student brings with them different perspectives and holds beliefs on certain social issues.

I hold the belief that we as a society have lost the ability to properly argue due to the huge friction between two opposing parties in action verbally. When it comes to dialogue and debate in classes such as social or more progressive classes being in the category of a neoteric agenda, I sustain the idea of keeping an awareness of the individuals’ perspectives on these concepts. I am insinuating the action of attempting to understand another first and to listen to what the other has to say. It may be daunting to voice your opinion in a class, much less a class where there is the possibility of having a student that feels dissociated from the class because of their differing perceptions.

To put it simply, students should listen for the sake of listening and to understand the person rather than to critique or rebut. What we need more than ever in our fluctuating society is to empathize and to consider the other party as a person first, just like you or me.