The members of the Society for Confraternities Society hold to a comprehensive understanding of confraternities in medieval and early modern studies, including connections to the present that inform our teaching and learning. Members should ensure that their communications are clearly relevant to the scope of the list and are mindful of the diversity of the membership.
What follows are suggestions for collegial conduct on Confrat-L. They are voluntary and are not in and of themselves reasons for censure or expulsion.
Self-moderation
- Above all we practice civility. This means arguing your point, even vigorously arguing your point, disagreeing, if desired, with another’s position, but without attacking the person. Dispute ideas; don’t, in other words, launch ad hominem attacks. This is never a good argumentative strategy. Be respectful of all comments and commenters, even those with whom you may strongly disagree.
- Humor is fine and even desirable on the list, but no comment should demean or hurt others. Keep in mind that what may be considered humorous in one culture, may be perceived as offensive by another.
- Please consider and respect the work others have done. Professionals (practitioners, critics) are not exempt from skepticism, but everyone deserves respect, and we value the questions and insights of non-professionals.
- Be respectful of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and age. Racist, sexist, ageist, and other demeaning comments are never acceptable.
- One of the strengths of the list is its multilingual community, where English for many is not the first language. Assume good intent when you find phrasing to be puzzling, abrasive, or even potentially offensive.
- As a contributor to a moderated list with members in different time zones, keep in mind that conversations best move at a measured, deliberate pace, especially to encourage broad participation and time for reflection in addressing difficult issues.
- While long posts are occasionally warranted and entirely acceptable, please consider keeping responses as brief and to the point as possible.
- When a thread becomes individual members talking with each other rather than posting messages that are responding to substantive issues raised in the thread, take the discussion off-line.
Suggestions for responding to contributions you consider foolish, myopic, mistaken, or boring
- Use the delete key and refrain from responding.
- Address those submissions courteously.
- Take your replies and rebuttals offline.
*This page is adapted with permission of the Editor, SHAKSPER, from Netiquette at shaksper.net/about/netiquette.