Roundtable: Teaching Social Justice in "Trump Country"

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

The election of Donald Trump continues to drastically alter normative public discourse in the United States. This discourse, while often disruptive, is an invaluable tool within the classroom. Events like the protests and subsequent killing in Charlottesville, while tragic, provide an important moment to bring discussions about race, gender, intersectionality, and an overall social justice approach to the classroom. However, universities and colleges nestled in largely Trump supporting areas may struggle with these important conversations. The goal of this round table is to address the idea of teaching social justice in "Trump Country" through the experiences of professors having these discussions with their students. We look to broaden our understanding of pedagogical techniques that support discussion in a productive manner while still ensuring a safe environment for all students as they learn about social justice in a setting unfamiliar with such information.

Sub Unit

• Area XII. Roundtables

Chair

• Stephen Toppings Young, Marshall University

Discussants

• Lindsey Upton, Tennessee Tech University

• Leslie Hill, The Citadel

• Leslie-Dawn Quick, Marshall University