Conflict and disagreement are normal components of the learning process and can arise in the context of teaching. When navigated appropriately, such moments become productive opportunities for learning and growth.
This toolkit includes resources to help instructors navigate conflict in their courses, providing essential information on university policies and resources to build effective learning environments that support freedom of expression and respectful dialogue.
Policies, Guidelines and Frameworks
- Shared Values: Learn about the university’s shared value initiative and framework.
- Freedom of Expression: Learn about university policies and resources that support free speech and expression for all community members.
- Office of Civil Rights Compliance: Access informRation on preventing and responding to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, including information about university policies and standards, support options and accommodations, training and education resources, your duty to report, and the reporting form.
Strategies for Managing Classroom Conflict
- Managing Classroom Conflict: Explore strategies to turn challenging moments into learning opportunities by mitigating and addressing conflicts that may arise.
- From Debate to Dialogue in the Classroom: Participate in a two-day workshop focusing on creating community agreements, addressing psychological safety, and facilitating productive dialogue.
Learning Opportunities
- Ethical Disagreement and Civil Discourse: Enhance your dialogue facilitation skills through the teaching endorsement led by the Center for Ethics and Human Values.
- Effective Learning Environments: Learn about practices and resources for creating effective learning environments through this teaching endorsement led by the Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning.
- Teaching through Writing: Learn about the teaching endorsement led by the Writing across the Curriculum program in the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing.
- Supporting Students through Tragedy: Discover strategies and resources to support students during difficult times.
- Center for Ethics and Human Values: Visit the Center for Ethics and Human Values website to learn about “The 4Cs of Civil Discourse” and sign up for the Center’s newsletter for updates on upcoming opportunities.
- Divided Community Project: Utilize resources grounded in dispute resolution theory and practices to support university and community leaders.
- Explore additional educator learning opportunities available through the Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning and the Teaching and Learning Resource Center.
Resources for Students
- OSU Votes: Access nonpartisan resources on civic engagement and voter registration through the Office of Student Life.
- Listen. Learn. Discuss: Visit this site to explore courses, forums, a co-curricular certificate, and fellowship programs to develop dialogue skills for challenging conversations.
- Student to Student Extending Support: Use a checklist from the Divided Community Project to show support to fellow students.
External Resources
- Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE): Access resources on defending and sustaining free speech rights.
- PEN America: Explore the Campus Free Speech Guide and learn about different ways to respond to controversies over free speech.