Roundtable: Addressing Political Division in the Classroom: Tools for Civil Discourse

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Overview

This roundtable aims to articulate strategies and tools for navigating political polarization in the classroom, including facilitating respectful debates and incorporating perspective-taking exercises to promote civil discourse. Panelists will share best practices for creating inclusive learning environments that encourage critical thinking and empathy amid contentious topics, helping instructors foster civil and productive discussions while maintaining academic rigor.

Section

• 63. Professional Development

Chair

• Elizabeth A. Bennion, Indiana University, South Bend

Participants

• Beth Ginsberg, University of Connecticut

• Ana Abraham, Mount Holyoke College

• Elizabeth I Dorssom, Lincoln University, Missouri

• Matthew Reid Krell, California State University, Northridge

• Maureen Heffern Ponicki, College of DuPage

• Nayma Qayum, Manhattanville College