Cultivating Controversy To Encourage Critical Thinking
Presentation Type
Workshop
Location
Harbor Hall Community Room
Start Date
10-3-2019 3:30 PM
End Date
10-3-2019 4:45 PM
Abstract
Critical thinking includes managing intractable conflict. We’ll discuss strategies to help students navigate scenarios where agreement is not possible and controversy remains.
Description
If students make it to the workplace without the preparation necessary to engage colleagues who don’t look like them, think like them, or react like them, they may face a critical disconnect. Ideally, students will not leave our institutions without knowing how to handle such disagreements, so the burden falls to us on training students to handle controversy. We’ll discuss strategies to help students navigate scenarios where they disagree with their colleagues, and are comfortable with their colleagues not agreeing with them. The conversation will necessarily explore the current status of shying from controversy and the reasons for it, many have to do with “echo chamber” effects of modern technology and social media tools. Then, we will also explore the role and value of “content warnings / trigger warnings”, as well as investigate the pros and cons of faculty hiding their personal beliefs on controversial topics. Finally, we will explore what all this means for the classroom space, and how faculty might adjust their teaching going forward.
Cultivating Controversy To Encourage Critical Thinking
Harbor Hall Community Room
Critical thinking includes managing intractable conflict. We’ll discuss strategies to help students navigate scenarios where agreement is not possible and controversy remains.
