Difficult Conversations Toolkit
Diverse Identities in Discussion
General
- Diversity and Inclusion in the College Classroom (requires account), Faculty Focus
- Examining Positions of Privilege & Power, Idea #4, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
- Leaning in to Social Justice Content, Idea #10, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
- Discussing Traumatic Topics, Idea #11, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
- Valuing Connections and Experiences through Indigenous Pedagogy, Idea #14, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
Race
- Educator’s Toolkit for Addressing Racial Trauma, University of Minnesota
- Talking About Race in Mostly White Schools, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- When White Teachers Teach About Racism, Teachers College, Colombia University
Age
- Addressing Ageism in the 21st Century Classroom, Joanna R. Murphy, Hybrid Pedagogy
- Ageism is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices [...], Kirsten Weir, American Psychological Association
- Discussing Ageism in Higher Educatio, Indiana University of Bloomington,
LGBTQ+
- LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Glossary of Terms, Safe Zone Project
- Creating Inclusive Classrooms, University of Connecticut
- LGBTQ+ Resources and Facilities, Western Washington University
Disability
- Creating Accessible Classrooms, Indiana University Bloomington
- Academic Supports for College Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Overview, Indiana University Bloomington
- Disability-Inclusive Terminology Guide, NYC Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities
- Not mentioned in this source: Disability-first language is preferred by some people in some cases. For example, some prefer “autistic person” over “person with autism”; it’s a matter of personal preference. Person-first language is typically an acceptable default.
Religion
- Spiritual and Religious Diversity, University of Denver
- Strategies for Discussing Religion in Secular Studies Classes, Faculty Focus
- For those who need a place to pray: Reflection and Meditation Spaces, Western Washington University
Gender
- College Classrooms Are Still Chilly for Women, as Men Speak More, Dartmouth University
- Incorporating Feminist Pedagogy into Your Classes, University of Notre Dame
- Lactation Rooms, Western Washington University
Difficult Conversations in Teaching
Basics
- Difficult Dialogues - Vanderbilt University
- The Power of Difficult Conversations, TEDxCoMo
- Managing Difficult Classroom Discussions, Indiana University Bloomington
- Facilitating Challenging Conversations in the Classroom, Washington University in St. Louis
- Discussions, Center for Innovative teaching and Learning, Indiana University Bloomington
- Facilitating difficult conversations
- Handbook for Facilitating Difficult Conversations in the Classroom (PDF) (2015), John D. Vogelsang and Sofia McGee
- Discussion, Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, University of Maryland
- Types of discussion, and managing engagement.
- Difficult Conversations as a Pedagogy, Idea #1, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
Tools & Strategies
- Guidelines for Discussing Difficult or High-Stakes Topics, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan
- Difficult Dialogues, Vanderbilt University
- Tips & Strategies for Difficult Discussions - Center for New Designs in Learning & Scholarships
- Strategies for Current Challenges in Dialogue Facilitation - Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center
- Strategies for Engaging with Difficult Topics, Strong Emotions, and Challenging Moments in the Classroom, Teaching Engagement Program
- Includes sample ground rules, strategies, and structures for the discussion.
- Using the Circle Way, Idea #13, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
- Structuring the Conversation, Idea #6, 2022 Innovative Teaching showcase
- Balancing Participation, Idea #7, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
- What is? Intergroup Dialogue Model, North Dakota State University
- Evaluating Intergroup Dialogue: Engaging Diversity for Personal and Social Responsibility (PDF), Nagda et al.
- How intergroup dialogue can improve understanding
- IGR (Intergroup Dialogue) Insight Handouts, University of Michigan
- How to Use Sustained Dialogue Issue Sheets, Sustained dialogue Campus Network
- Includes what a sustained dialogue is, how to host one, and a sample issue sheet that runs through exactly how to steer a sustained conversation on anti-transgender prejudice.
How to Engage in Difficult Conversations
- Empathy: The Heart of Difficult Conversations, TEDxTallaght
- The Art of Having Difficult Conversations, Inside Higher Ed
- Starting Difficult Conversations, WWU
- Also includes teaching students how to enter and navigate difficult conversations.
- Guide to Facilitating Challenging Discussions, University of Montana
- How to prepare yourself (as a teacher) for the conversation.
- Discussion Guidelines, LSA Inclusive Teaching, University of Michigan (linked to with broken link in “An Instructor’s Guide…”)
- Teaching students how to engage in difficult conversations. Includes sample basic conversation rules.
- How to Have Difficult Conversations Virtually, Art Markman, Harvard Business Review
Interventions
- Knowing When to Intervene in the Student-Centered Discussion, Instructional Moves, Harvard University
- Responding to Micro aggressions, Idea #13, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
Being Prepared
- Teaching Race: Pedagogy and Practice, Vanderbilt University
- Building Communities of Critical, Interdisciplinary Thinkers. Innovative Teaching Showcase, Kate Darby, CIIA, Western Washington University
- Deconstructing White Privilege, Dr. Robin DiAngelo
- An Instructor’s Guide to Understanding Privilege, LSA Inclusive Teaching, University of Michigan
- The Black Lives Matter Movement Goes Beyond Black and White, Learning for Justice
- The Role of Critical Race Theory in Higher Education, Payne Hiraldo
- Teaching Beyond the Gender Binary in the University Classroom, Center for Teaching, Vanderbilt University
- Creating Inclusive College Classrooms, University of Michigan
- Creating a safe atmosphere before the conversation begins.
- Key Moves, The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard University
- Creating a safe atmosphere before the conversation begins.
- Preparing Students for Difficult Conversations, Idea #5, 2022 Innovative Teaching Showcase
Discussing Social Justice
- Having Difficult Conversations about Race and Other Identities: Overview of Intergroup Dialogue 09.29.20, Indiana University. Video: 1hr
- Teaching Race, Racism, and Social Justice: Pedagogical Principles and Classroom Strategies for Course Instructors, Harbin et al.
- Lets Talk! Discussing Black Lives Matter, Learning for Justice (paired with Lets Talk! book) —sign-up required
- Lets Talk! Teaching Black Lives Matter, Learning for Justice (Discussing BLM Sequel)—sign-up required
- Lets Talk! Discussing Race, Racism, and Other Difficult Topics with Students, Learning for Justice—sign-up required
- Teaching about Race and Racism in College Classrooms, National Education Association
- How to talk about disability sensitively and avoid ableist tropes, NPR
- Who Am I? Strategy for Teaching About Power and Privilege, Faculty Focus
- Navigating Difficult Discussions: Gender Identity, Facing History. Short online class; free, but requires profile creation.
- Assignment Design for Social Justice Education, UC Berkeley
WWU
- Office of Equity
- Discussion Strategies, Teaching Handbook
- Difficult Conversations, Innovative Teaching Showcase 2022-23
Books
General
- Stop Talking: Indigenous Ways of Teaching and Learning and Difficult Conversations in Higher Education
- Start Talking: A Handbook for Engaging in Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education by Libby Roderick
- Facilitating Conversations on Difficult Topics in the Classroom: Teachers’ Stories of Opening Spaces Using Children’s Literature
- Lets Talk!, Teaching Tolerance
- Discussion as a Way of Teaching by Brookfield and Preskill
- How to Talk About Hot Topics on Campus: From Polarization to Moral Conversation
- Let's Talk: An Essential Guide to Skillful Communication, Mudita Nisker et al. (2022)
- Conversations Worth Having, Second Edition: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement, Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres
Tools
- The Discussion Book: 50 Great Ways to Get People Talking
- Available as an ebook through Western libraries
- Difficult Conversations: A Toolkit for Educators in Handling Real-Life Situations, Anni K. Reinking
- Difficult Conversations: The Art and Science of Working Together, Kern Beare (2019)
Identity & Social Justice
- The Red Movement: Social and Environmental Justice in the 21st Century, Shadan Kapri
- Navigating Difficult Moments in Teaching Diversity and Social Justice, edited by Mary E. Kite et al.
- What Inclusive Instructors Do, Tracie Marcella Addy et al.
- The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in the Age of Intolerance, Africa Brooke
- How to Engage in Difficult Conversations on Identity, Race, and Politics in Higher Education, Tammy Hodo et al.
- Promoting Inclusive Classroom Dynamics in Higher Education, Kathryn C. Oleson (2020)
Race
- Beyond Conversations About Race: A Guide for Discussions With Students, Teachers, and Communities (How to Talk About Racism in Schools and Implement Equitable Classroom Practices), Washington Collado et al.
- So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo
- Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools and Beyond, Glenn E. Singleton
- Let’s Talk About Race (and Other Hard Things): A Framework for Having Conversations That Build Bridges, Strengthen Relationships, and Set Clear Boundaries, Nancy A. Dome