"Blowing the Teachers Away": Teaching Controversial and Sensitive Issues to Undergraduates
Abstract
The authors investigate the pedagogical, intellectual, and psychological issues at hand when choosing to teach controversial and sensitive material to undergraduates, and they examine the personal and professional risks and rewards involved in this enterprise. Through personal observation and student reflections, they discuss the roles of student demographics, teaching techniques, service learning, and creating trust and community in the classroom in achieving an effective learning and teaching experience. They conclude that although this approach to teaching can be emotionally challenging, pushing the boundaries of faculty-student relationships and necessitating coordination with student services, the rewards are significant for our students and ourselves.
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