ITW: Politics in the Classroom

How can instructors frame and contextualize controversial political material for a respectful and productive discussion? Beginning from the premise that the university is not a politically “neutral” space, this workshop examines how politics manifests in classrooms and labs: through current events; dynamics between professors, instructional staff, and students; accessibility and classroom demographics; and the subjects and methods of our disciplines. This workshop aims to introduce participants to resources for analyzing and navigating the political landscapes of the university, whether in classrooms, labs, or office hours. We will reflect on our own roles and responsibilities as instructors in creating welcoming classroom environments and discuss the considerations that shape the extent to which we share our personal political commitments in our teaching. For more information, or if you have questions in advance, please contact Allison Chu (allison.chu@yale.edu) and Ben Card (ben.card@yale.edu).

Please note: Intermediate Teaching Workshops (ITWs) count toward the requirements for the CCTP. They do not presuppose any previous engagement with the topic, but will draw on topics mentioned in the Fundamentals of Teaching/the CIRTL MOOC.

For a refresher on key pedagogical terms you may have encountered in the Fundamentals or the CIRTL MOOC, please refer to our glossary: tinyurl.com/PedagogicalGlossary.

This workshop will be held in person.

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Ben Card

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