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4/28/05 "Teaching Sensitive Topics" Part 1: Linda Shafer from the TRC described her use of a role-playing exercise that defuses emotions and explores long-term consequences of public policy positions. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was used as an example. The paradigm could be used for a number of topics. Part 2: Gary Goodman of the University Writing Program described her teaching of a course in multicultural literature and provided details for addressing issues of race in the classroom. She mentioned that many students are fearful of being offensive to other people, and they may be fearful of their own defensive (or offensive) reactions. Suggestions were to 1) Provide an initial experience on the first day to make it clear that controversial issues will be addressed, 2) Establish a safe community within the classroom for that activity, 3) Be aware of the cognitive level of students – she provided a handout from Perry, and 4) Come to terms with your own proclivities with regard to wielding and/or sharing authority. She relies extensively on students' journal writing for both helping them to develop their ideas, and giving her an idea of where the class is. She starts out with a relatively accessible piece of literature, and then moves to more difficult material as the quarter progresses. Some of the readings are listed below. A point that emerged from the subsequent discussion is that there will probably be unanticipated responses from the class and that sometimes the best way to deal with that is to do nothing, reflect on it, and address it in the next class meeting. Morrison, Toni Recitation, available in Clarence Major's
Calling the wind: Twentieth century African-American
short stories.
Shields Library PS647.A35 C35 1993 Additional suggestion: Barbara Sommer
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