Bias, Hate Speech, and Prejudice Discussions

In our time as instructors there will be times when uncomfortable incidents arise inside and outside the classroom that will need to be addressed. These incidents can range from what someone sees as a harmless joke in a class discussion, a sincere argument over distinct beliefs, to more hateful incidents outside the classroom such as hate speech and/or violence directed at a specific group. Having discussions around these issues and incidents can be both challenging and painful, but at times are necessary to directly address. Below are some various resources to assist one in how to approach these issues.

• Teaching Controversial Issues
  Written by Ed Neal from the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this resource provides a number of ideas and suggestions for working with controversial issues in the classroom.
  
  
• Controversial Issues in the Classroom
  This article by Angela M. Harwood and Carole L. Hahn is available from the ERIC Clearinghouse (ED327453) and provides a number of suggestions for preparing students for class discussions on controversial issues. (Downloads as a PDF file.)
  
  
• Teaching Idea: Cooperative Controversies
  Outlines an approach that encourages mutual understanding among students, even if the topics are controversial. From the Fall 1991 issue of Teaching Concerns, a newsletter for faculty and teaching assistants at the University of Virginia.
  
  
• Managing Hot Moments in the Classroom
  This resource by Lee Warren from the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University provides suggestions on how to get students engaged in discussing controversial topics and what to do to make the engagement work.