Career & Tools
This panel will discuss approaches for TAs and teaching associates to maintaining a safe and respectful classroom environment that promotes the open exchange of ideas, reflection, and learning.
TAs and Teaching Associates, here is a workshop for how to handle âsensitive topics in the classroom.
Controversy in the Classroom:
Pedagogical techniques for a divided society
Tuesday, May 17, 6 p.m.
Multicultural Center Theater
Faculty panelists include:
John Park, Asian American Studies
Ines Casillas, Chicana/o Studies
Jeffrey Stewart, Black Studies
Kathleen Moore, Religious Studies
Paul Amar, Global Studies
Recent local, national, and global events have both highlighted and polarized strong ideological differences about a wide range of social and political issues. Especially salient is the fact that some rhetoric targets particular social groups, causing fear and anxiety, while other groups perceive that they have been disenfranchised by the economic and political events of the last decades, which has produced anger and resentment. Politically charged violence (and talk of violence) have become increasingly prevalent, which has served to increase tensions and amplify distress.
Like other universities, UC Santa Barbara champions free speech, academic freedom, and the vigorous debate of ideas. This occurs most effectively in classrooms where differing views can be discussed in an atmosphere free of fear and the prospect of retaliation. But how does one create a classroom climate that fosters meaningful dialogue when topics are sensitive and tensions are high?
This panel brings together distinguished faculty who have deep experience teaching controversial topics. The panel will begin with an introduction to the legal definition of free speech and its limits as viewed by the courts, including the definition of hate speech. Then each panelist will discuss their own approaches to maintaining a safe and respectful classroom environment that promotes the open exchange of ideas, reflection, and learning. Audience questions and participation are encouraged.
If you have a particular question for the panel, or a topic you would like them to address, please enter it here.