As you prepare to teach during and after the 2024 political season, we invite you to reflect on how significant cultural and political events, like elections, can impact the learning environment. Regardless of whether your course content directly addresses political themes, it’s likely that both students and instructors will experience diverse reactions related to the election, which may influence the educational experience. Below, you’ll find a collection of curated teaching resources and learning activities designed to assist you in navigating this important aspect of your teaching.
- Managing Election-Related Stress (resource)
- Regardless of outcome, elections are stressful times. As you teach through this period, get clear on your teaching values and contexts before you make pedagogical choices. Also, recognize how stress affects functioning, and make a support plan for yourself and others. This resource has ideas related to managing fear, information overload, and self-care.
- Post Election Dialogue Guide for Faculty (list of resources)
- Prepared by App State's CEL Office/Civic Literacy Initiative
- Includes recommendations for post-election dialogues based on materials from the Constructive Dialogue Insitute, plus other App State resources
- If you're looking for a document to share, this is a good option, as it includes many resources listed on this page
- Moving Forward Together: Bridging Divides Post-Election (event)
- Dinner and dialogue on Tuesday, November 12th from 6-7:30 in Rough Ridge (PSU 415)
- Hosted by App State's Office of Community-Engaged Leadership
- This session will focus on healing divisions within the campus community post-election, fostering constructive dialogue, and promoting unity and collaboration regardless of political differences
- Navigating the Post-Election Period with Your Students (resource)
- This resource discusses factors to consider before heading to the classroom post-election (e.g., your own election response/comfort level, student burnout levels, pre-existing level of classroom community). It also includes links to additional resources, such as:
- Small Moves to Support Students in Tumultuous Times
- Preparing for Class Discussions Around the Post-Election
- Dedicating Class Time to Understanding and Engaging with the Post-Election
- Sharing Resources for Multiple Pathways for Civic Engagement and Community Change
- This resource discusses factors to consider before heading to the classroom post-election (e.g., your own election response/comfort level, student burnout levels, pre-existing level of classroom community). It also includes links to additional resources, such as:
- Facilitation Strategies for Hot Moments (resource)
- Post-election discussions—including unplanned discussions that simply arise—can lead to tense moments in the classroom. Check out this resource for a variety of ways to manage those hot moments, including activities to diffuse tense emotions, scripts for how to respond to intense comments, and ways to connect such discussions to course goals.
- Perspectives by Constructive Dialogue (modules)
- Constructive Dialogue is a form of conversation where people with different perspectives try to understand each other - without giving up their own beliefs - in order to live, learn, and work together. This link includes access to skill-building modules that can help students and instructors navigate differences, both in the election period and beyond.
- Voices and Votes: Democracy in America Exhibition (exhibit)
- Helping students to process the election includes helping them understand how the history of voting and elections contextualizes this moment in history. Voices and Votes is based on a major exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This Museum on Main Street adaptation will have many of the same dynamic features: historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games and additional footage, photos, and information; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.
- Hosted by App State's Office of Community-Engaged Leadership
Tuesday, October 22 through Monday, December 2 in Wiseman's View Lounge (2nd Floor of PSU)
- Counseling and Psychological Services (website)
Some individuals may experience election-related reactions that extend beyond what can be effectively addressed or supported in the classroom. Please assist these students in accessing campus counseling services. Counseling services are also available for faculty and staff.