How to Teach Controversial Subjects - Digital Handout

Justin Ginn, James Baker-taylor, Hannah Perry

Controversial Subjects Slideshow

Socratic Seminar Handouts

General Social Justice Resources:

BC Curriculum Social Justice Guide:

https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/pdfs/making_space/mkg_spc_intr.pdf

Yale Social Justice Journal Article on Teaching Controversial Subjects:

http://ctl.yale.edu/teaching/ideas-teaching/teaching-controversial-topics

How to handle possible Hot Moments in Classroom Discussion:

http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/resources/Teaching/CourseDesign/InstructionalStrategies/
HotMomentsClassroom.pdf

BCTF:Teaching Social Justice Document

https://bctf.ca/GlobalEd/TeachingResources/ClarkePat/TeachingControversialIssues.ht
ml

Teacher Role in Classroom Discussion

http://www.socialstudies.org/sites/default/files/publications/se/6001/600105.html

Socratic Seminar Resources:

http://www.hhh.k12.ny.us/uploaded/PDFs/DI_Pdfs/Day_1/hertberg.pdf

https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/socratic-seminar

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/socratic-seminars-culture-student-led-discussion-mary-da
venport

Video of Socratic Seminar in a Classroom:

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/bring-socratic-seminars-to-the-classroom
Socratic Seminar Rubric:
http://www.davestuartjr.com/simple-rubrics-ccss-speaking-and-listening/

Example controversial topics:

Free speech. How far should we allow free speech to go?

Capital punishment
War on drugs
Social programs
Black Lives Matter
NFL players kneeling for USA national anthem
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Genetic modification of various types
Cost of university education
Sexual Orientation (LGBT+)
Racial Conflict/Stereotypes
School Shootings and their perpetrators
Terrorism and its resulting conflicts
Historical event denile and its implications
Obesity
Do video games contribute to violence in our society?
Gender Equality