Faculty invited to ‘Teaching in Turbulent Times’ workshop

The Teaching Engagement Program is coordinating a workshop for faculty members titled Teaching in Turbulent Times on Jan. 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Knight Library Browsing Room.

University of Oregon academic leaders called for the forum to address heightened political tensions, increased complaints about classroom behaviors and vulnerabilities felt by members of the campus community.

Classroom management was the subject of a Dec. 13 memo from Provost Jayanth Banavar.

“We must not allow non-relevant disruptive incidents to divide our community, but instead strive to foster inclusive and critical conversations that matter to our students and to our larger communities,” Banavar said. “Preparing instructors to navigate classrooms where learning and free speech can coexist and flourish are responsibilities of any great university.”

The session will help instructors respond to various classroom challenges, outline ways to set and reinforce classroom expectations, and explore pedagogical approaches to difficult conversations. It will also provide faculty with information about how various areas of the university — such as the Division of Student Life, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity and UO Police Department — support teaching and learning.

Working from real-life scenarios, participants will gain an understanding of relevant law, policies and campus resources and leave the session with a set of tools to share with their department colleagues.

The workshop is co-hosted by the Teaching Engagement Program, Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs, United Academics and Center on Diversity and Community.

Faculty members are encouraged to register online by Jan. 15.