Safe spaces at universities | STX Engelsk B | 2. december 2016

This study guide will help you focus on the topic of safe spaces at universities. We will show you examples from three texts that cover the topic and focus on the most significant elements that will be relevant for a discussion about safe spaces at universities. In these notes, we will focus on what a university safe space is, an outline of the pros and cons of university safe spaces, argumentation in text 3, and help you discuss the conflict between free speech and promoting tolerance.

Exam question

This study guide is based on this exam question in written English B on STX from 2nd of December, 2016:

Presentation of the topic

The topic of safe spaces at universities is a relatively new and disputed trend. Safe spaces are defined as places within a university or university campus in which students can gather without fear of being discriminated against. The policy of safe spaces is to exclude from these spaces those who speak against vulnerable groups of students and to promote tolerance. The creation of safe spaces is a recent development in universities; the concept and practice of safe spaces at universities have developed in the last ten years.

While advocates of safe spaces claim they are meant to promote tolerance and create a safe environment for vulnerable students, their opponents claim that safe spaces interfere with freedom of speech and promote censorship.

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of non-fiction? See our general guide to non-fiction analysis.