Facilitating meaningful class discussions can be challenging, especially when it comes to political topics. Many public schools avoid subjects like oppression, race, and LGBTQ+ rights, which limits students’ opportunities to think critically about and engage in discussions on these important issues. While political topics may seem abstract, they are deeply tied to personal beliefs, experiences, and identities. Students might hesitate to participate in potentially heated conversations, but engaging in these discussions is essential for creating change, shifting perspectives, and fostering growth at personal, professional, and institutional levels. 

The following are strategies to help your students engage in challenging conversations. 

Build & Prepare 

At the beginning of the semester, clearly outline your expectations for student participation in discussions. Emphasize the value of learning through talking, listening, and responding to one another. Help students understand why these upcoming conversations matter and highlight the benefits of discussing the topics at hand. 

• Create community agreements together to build community and trust with your students. By establishing class norms and expectations collaboratively, students can play an active role in shaping the classroom environment. 
• Identify non-negotiables to create clear boundaries. These might include syllabus statements about avoiding divisive language or emphasizing a focus on humanity throughout the course, e.g.: 
  • We will NOT be debating the right of anyone to exist or have rights based on gender, sexuality, race, ability, nationality, or any other identity. If you have questions or want to engage in a discussion about these identities or human rights, please contact me directly. 
  • We will NOT use divisive language or inappropriate terminology when discussing politically-charged topics. For example, we will use “undocumented immigrants” to describe immigrants without legal status, not “illegals,” which is offensive and inaccurate. 
• Share content warnings to help students prepare for challenging topics. Being transparent about what will be discussed fosters trust and allows students to think critically, rather than just reacting or avoiding difficult subjects. 
• Actively support LGBTQ+ students. By intentionally valuing their voices and identities, you help students feel more comfortable participating in discussions, especially when addressing themes of gender, sexuality, and identity. 

Anticipate & Intervene 

Encourage students to make mistakes and take risks in the classroom as part of the learning process. While some may arrive with beliefs, terminology, or attitudes that can be hurtful, everyone deserves the chance to think critically about class topics and evolve their perspectives. Anticipate moments of tension and focus on addressing and diffusing them constructively.

• Introduce the Ouch and Oops protocol to create a common language for all course members, helping to destigmatize asking for clarification or addressing harm. Use “Ouch” to pause the conversation when something is problematic or hurtful. Use “Oops” when someone misspeaks, whether accidentally or due to uncertainty about how to express their ideas. Some versions of this protocol also use “Woah” to ask someone to slow down and clarify their statements. This protocol gives everyone a chance to learn from their mistakes and is particularly effective in response to microaggressions.  
• Create a brave space where students can share ideas and ask questions in a supportive environment. Learning involves exposure to uncomfortable ideas, and instead of avoiding tough conversations, structuring your classroom environment as a brave space encourages everyone to engage in learning and critical thinking. This approach fosters open dialogue and personal growth within an established framework. 
• Focus on the humanity of the topic. Humanizing both the subjects and the people involved fosters a deeper sense of care, respect, and understanding, and a willingness to listen. Acknowledging the people affected by the topics discussed, students can better appreciate how personal these issues are to others. This approach enables students to learn about others’ beliefs and understand how those beliefs have formed.

Reflect & Repair 

When mistakes inevitably occur, everyone in the class should have the opportunity to learn from them. It’s equally important for students to express their feelings and address any tensions, as this collaboration can help improve the overall classroom environment. 

• Normalize making mistakes. Rather than “cancelling” a student, which emphasizes compliance above learning, address hurtful actions and words directly. Provide opportunities for students to apologize and emphasize that mistakes are valuable chances to learn, unlearn, and grow. 
• Take time to repair trust when it’s broken. Students may hesitate to engage in challenging conversations if they don’t feel their classmates and instructor will listen without judgment. Learning how to build and restore trust in the classroom is essential for creating an environment where students feel brave to share and learn together. 

Successful conversations, regardless of the topic, depend on a continuous feedback loop that supports everyone in the classroom. After challenging discussions, it’s important to check in with students, revisit agreements, adjust expectations, and address any concerns to foster a productive and supportive environment. 

Make sure to check out our toolkit on Addressing Politically-Charged Topics in the Classroom for more information and resources. 

Further Reading

• Addressing Politically-Charged Topics in the Classroom – NIU CITL Toolkit
• Best Practices for Facilitating Difficult Dialogues in the Basic Communication Course (PDF) by Kristina Ruiz-Mesa and Karla M. Hunter in the Journal of Communication Pedagogy 
• Better Discourse: A Guide for Bridging Campus Divides in Challenging Times from Campus Compact 
• Building Trust with Students—Even Before Class Starts by Alicia Burns at Harvard Business Publishing Education 
• Constructive Conversations: 5 Guidelines for Fostering Them in Your Course by Felice Nudelman at The Association of College and University Educators 
• The Culture War’s Impact on Public Schools by Tim Walker at neaToday 
• Divisive Rhetoric: The Political Messages Limiting our Democracy by Elizabeth Lynch and Mitch Comb at Illinois State University 
• Handling Controversial Topics in Discussion from The Center of Research on Learning and Technology at The University of Michigan 
• Inclusive Teaching: Managing Challenging Moments from the College of DuPage Library 
• Key Moves from The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University 
• Navigating Classroom Dynamics from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Educators Toolkit from Social Justice Education at NIU 
• Re/Designing Democracy Webinar (Vimeo) from American Association of Colleges and Universities 
• The 6 Pillars of a Brave Space (PDF) by Victoria D. Stubbs at The University of Maryland 
• 6 Ways to Encourage Political Discussion on College Campuses by Rachel Wahl at The Conversation 
• Strategies and Guidance for Teaching During Politically Divisive Times from The Center for Teaching and Learning at Indiana University Indianapolis 
• Taking the Heat Out of Politically Charged Classroom Discussions by Scott Kercher at Edutopia 
• Teaching Controversial Topics: Proven ACUE Practices for Your Faculty (YouTube Video) from the Association of College and University Educators 
• Teaching Students to Disagree Respectfully by Ashley Mowreader at Inside Higher Ed