SHOWCASE: Teaching Sensitive Topics and Managing Politically Charged Class Conversations (90 mins)

Abstract

As political polarization looms large, how might instructors make their classrooms welcoming (virtual) spaces where students can explore their ideas on controversial questions, and participate in politically charged conversations that contribute to their learning experience here at Mason? This showcase session takes its title from and builds on Yasemin Ipek’s presentation from ITL 2020, bringing additional faculty and graduate student voices to the (virtual) table. Our five presenters will share strategies they use to prepare themselves and their students for classroom conversations about sensitive topics. Participants in this session will be invited to reflect on the place, possibility, or desirability of neutrality in the classroom; list steps they can take early in the semester to cultivate an inclusive classroom environment for all students; discuss approaches to facilitating productive discussions about sensitive topics; and identify strategies for navigating hot moments during classroom conversations.Conveners: Helen McManus, Tom PolkPanelist Speakers:Kimberley Daly, Coordinator, Project E-Ignite & Adjunct Professor, Teaching Culturally Linguistically & Exceptional Learners Program/APTDIEAayushi Hingle, Graduate Teaching Associate, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, CommunicationYasemin Ipek, Assistant Professor, Global AffairsPatricia Maulden, Associate Professor, Carter School for Peace and Conflict ResolutionChristy Pichichero, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Modern and Classical Languages, French Section