Table 2: [Conversation] Engaging Questions of Inclusion Post Charlottesville

Abstract

*No special preparation required*àWelcome to ITL and this table! Join your fellow Mason instructors to informally discuss this table's topic. At the table, you will find desk copies of related resources (digital versions are available below), and an experienced Mason colleague who has experience and strategies related to this topic.ààNot sure what to talk about?ààHere are some conversation starters:

• Share a little about yourselves:à

  • Department

  • Years at Mason

  • Courses you are teaching

  • What excites you about teaching?

• What brought you to this table?

• How do you prepare students to engage in difficult conversations?

• How do you prepare students on a topic before coming to class?

• How do you balance a safe space in class discussions with allowing people the freedom to share their thoughts that may be offensive?

• Do you include trigger warnings in your syllabus or course materials? àWhy or why not?

• What do you do if you find in the middle of teaching àa topic you thought was innocuous that a student finds the topic sensitive or controversial?

• What skills are you building in students by having them engage in these topics? àHow do you communicate the career value of these skills?

Have an example or resource to share?ààSubmit through this link and we'll upload it after the conference:àhttp://library.gmu.edu/publishing/submitàStill have questions?ààLeave a post it note on the table sign at the end of the Share-a-thon or email your questions toàstearns@gmu.eduà

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:George Mason University's Preferred Name Policy can be found here:https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/preferred-name-policy/