Beyond trigger warnings: Toward a trauma-informed andragogy for the graduate theological classroom

Abstract

Although development of trauma-informed pedagogy for elementary and secondary classrooms has developed significantly, a dearth of resources for trauma-informed andragogy in graduate theological classrooms remains. Theological classrooms are a unique context in which many students and professors carry experiences of trauma with them. This article makes the case for the need for a trauma-informed andragogical model for the graduate theological classroom by: discussing the pervasiveness of trauma; providing definitions of key terms that need to be understood for elaborating a trauma-informed andragogy; recommending trauma-informed principles for course design and class-session planning based in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment; and identifying a few next steps for cultivating trauma-informed classrooms and institutions at the graduate level.