fandomhigh | Friday Ethics Class #2, 8-10am

Entry tags:

debate,
ethics

Friday Ethics Class #2, 8-10am

Tara looks excited, as students trickle in, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet.

"Okay, we've got a lot to get through today. Two announcements to start:

First, Teacher's Assistants have been chosen. I have a carrot - Major K! - and a stick - Angelus. If you're having trouble grasping a concept, talk to Major K!. He'll guide you through the thinking. If you think you've got a hold on it, talk to Angelus. He'll challenge your thinking, give you the opportunity to clarify your position.

Second, and related to the latter - this class is not an easy A. At some point in this course you will find yourself challenged and confronted. For many of you, that will be today. If you walk out of this classroom before class is over, and without checking it with me, I may be understandably upset. However, I recognise that if you get angry or upset, you may need some time alone, or away from the group. To that end, I present to you the ~~Emo Closet~~ Time Out Room." She walks to the back of the classroom and opens the door to what previously was a supply cabinet. Inside is what looks very much like a white padded room. "This room is soundproofed. You can cry, scream and punch things all you want, and I will not penalise you for leaving the class or the discussion. Major K! or I will come to check on anyone who goes to the ~~Emo Closet~~ Time Out Room, in case you need help or support. Feel free to tell us to leave you alone.

Now, we've got our first debate to hear, a discussion topic to... um, discuss, and your first out of class assignment. ~~Which you are going to kill, or at least seriously maim, me for giving you.~~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We've been discussing ownership today. Next week we're going to be discussing rights. In the light of that, your out of class assignment is about slavery.

I realise this is a sensitive issue for many of you - and it should be. I would like you to go with your respective TA and get your assignment briefings before you declare that you cannot complete the assignment. You are going to be put into Master/slave pairings. These pairings have been chosen carefully and deliberately, for everyone's education and safety.

The objective of this exercise is to encourage you to break out of previously conceived notions about what being a Master and what being a slave entails. This may feel strange, embarassing, frightening, and even uncomfortable.

Before you begin the exercise, take the time to ask yourself what your true boundaries are. For example: if you prefer to wear the color green and are asked to wear the color blue, you may not be happy about it but, barring an allergic reaction to blue ink, you will not be harmed by trying to wear blue. Blue is therefore not a true boundary for you. Drinking deadly poison, on the other hand, might be. Likewise being made to do something that goes against your religious beliefs would also be a true boundary.

Both masters and slaves should decide on their true boundaries, then discuss a way to ensure that those boundaries are not crossed during the course of this exercise. If you do not wish to tell your partner what the boundaries are, you can instead choose to use what is called a "safe" word. This is a word that means you have been asked to do something that you truly cannot do. Should your partner demand something of you that crosses your boundaries, you can say the safe word to make them stop without having to divulge what the boundary was.

Some form of agreement about boundaries must be reached before you begin the exercise. You do not have to use the safe word option - many don't - but you must use something. Failure to do so will mean failing the exercise. Period.

Rules Everyone Must Follow

1) You must have and keep an agreement with your partner about respecting boundaries (see above)
2) You cannot do anything that will interfere in your partner's classes and school requirements
3) You cannot do anything to physically harm your partner (including, but not limited to, hitting, punching, kicking, etc.)
4) You cannot do anything to psychologically harm your partner (including, but not limited to, insulting, belittling, publically humiliating, etc.)
5) All school rules must be obeyed at all times (did this one really need to be repeated for you?)
6) You cannot be made to do anything that you find morally objectionable, puts yourself in danger, puts others in danger, harms property, and/or creates an unsafe environment
7) During the course of the exercise you must wear a tag that labels you as an Ethics class Master/Slave

Violation of these rules equals instant failure.

Tara hands out everyone a copy of these rules for their own reference.

Phoebe is turning paler and paler as she listens to Tara brief them on the assignment. She glances at Cole and then Beka, and then looks down at the paperwork in front of her.

Beka looks at Tara, and tries, very hard not to feel betrayed. Tara asked her to trust her, and she would try. But her stomach is in knots and the tears are already starting to well up.

That is not acceptable. No one. Especially not Angelus, Bel, Phoebe must see her cry.

By the time she has herself under control, the inside of her lip is bleeding. If her hands aren't entirely steady, it's probably because of coffee, lack of sleep, and the adrenaline of the debate. Not because this assignment pushes every button she has.

Assignment briefing

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