Navigating Classroom Conversations about Contentious Topics 

As college educators, we often find it necessary to address challenging political issues that matter to our students, even when our courses or disciplinary expertise are outside the realm of politics or social change. These resources are intended to help faculty navigate these situations, foster respectful dialogue, and encourage critical thinking among students with diverse viewpoints.

RESOURCES:

Indiana University’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning provides some helpful tips
for managing difficult classroom discussions.  View here

Columbia’s Center for Teaching & Learning has created an excellent resource for navigating
“HOT” moments in the classroom. View here

A recent book for students and faculty who wish to have constructive dialogue around difficulty topics.
A copy is available in the CTL library. View here

The Constructive Dialogue Institute has a useful election guidebook for those who discuss electoral politics in the classroom.View here

Vanderbilt University’s Center for Teaching has some outstanding tips and resources for Teaching in Times of Crisis.
View here

The POD Network has some helpful resources for teaching in the face of tragedy, conflict and critical incidents. View here

Eastern Michigan State University created this resource for teaching in times of crisis. View here

Resource for creating community agreements
Establishing community agreements at the beginning of the semester can give students a framework for navigating challenging conversations before they come up.  View here