Navigating difficult discourse: Understanding faculty strategies for challenging teaching situations

Abstract

Using critical pedagogy as a guide, we illuminate how educators can approach teaching in a way that humanizes students and encourages the examination of oppressive practices and ideologies through discourse centered on difficult topics. Presenters will offer insights from a large-scale mixed-methods study of faculty preparation for dealing with difficult situations in their courses and supporting students with complex concerns. This session will provide evidence-based practices and strategies to support the work of faculty and faculty developers in dealing with difficult situations involving incivility, disclosure of sensitive information, sexual assault, mental health, and other challenging topics.