Post-Election, Some Professors Feel They Must Play Mediator

As a new semester and a new presidential administration begin, the fraught political climate has some professors grappling with how, or if, to talk policy and politics in class.

Part of the challenge this semester, he said, lies in describing events without appearing to push one particular viewpoint. Some faculty members have to do a “bit of gymnastics,” he said, to avoid making ad hominem or partisan statements, while still pointing out rhetoric or actions that are anomalous to U.S. politics or history.

“I wouldn’t advise just walking in and saying, ‘Today we’re supposed to be learning about geography but instead we’re going to talk about –”

Others said they’ll discuss policy if it’s related to course content, but may not name a particular political party or individual. Some suggested tying current political events to curricula in a deliberate but natural way.

Source: Post-Election, Some Professors Feel They Must Play Mediator