Controversial topics inevitably arise in learning environments. This CETLI workshop will address how TAs and instructors might prepare to bring up controversial topics in today’s often polarized political and campus environments. We will discuss how to best prepare lesson plans about topics that can become contentious, like racism or climate change; and look for productive ways to think about integrating these lessons into existing course and recitation syllabi. We will also discuss how to navigate scenarios when students are the ones who ‘heat up’ the discussion, either in relation to the class topic or in their interaction with each other.

All graduate students are welcome. This event grows out of concerns in the Political Science department and so may be most useful to students in related fields.

Counts toward the CETLI Teaching Certificate.