Poster Session 5: Teaching in the Academic Setting

Presenters: Elizabeth Holman, Megan Paceley, Dominique Courts

Summary
Within the current sociopolitical climate, educators teaching diversity courses must make pedagogical, professional, and personal decisions about integrating current and political events related to oppression in the classroom. This study examined the ways in which family science educators are or are not integrating current and political events in diversity classes. Results show that while some faculty intentionally and explicitly address these events in the classroom, others shy away from such conversations. Specifically, concerns about "getting too political" inhibit discussions of current events and policies. These pedagogical decisions may lead to either innovative strategies for teaching about contemporary challenges for diverse families or under-discussed topics in family science. Implications for both family science educators and students will be discussed.

Objectives
-- To understand the challenges of integrating current events in diversity courses
-- To reflect upon experiences in the classroom and engage in a process of critical self-reflection surrounding pedagogical decisions making
-- To explore techniques for incorporating current and political events in the classroom

Subject Codes: diversity, context, education
Population Codes: educators, undergraduate students, Family Scientists
Method and Approach Codes: thematic analysis, educational, diversity