Teaching controversial issues - Possibilities, risks, and preparation

Teaching controversial issues (sometimes referred to as sensitive or moral issues) has become an increasing concern in higher education. In a society marked by antagonistic tensions due to large-scale international conflicts, polemical rhetoric on social media, the erosion of civility in political debate, and the media’s fixation on conflict, it is crucial that teachers deal with these issues effectively

During the seminar, you will learn why controversial issues are important in education, as well as why they are considered risky to teach. To assist teachers in minimizing risks, you will also be introduced to an interactive tool you can use when preparing to teach controversial issues.

Fredrik Portin is an associate professor and academic developer at Malmö University. He researches and teaches about controversial issues in higher education.