Difficult Dialogues

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Let's Start Talking

Institutions of higher education represent one of the few venues in which the free exchange of ideas can take place, civil discourse can be modeled and practiced, and individuals can encounter different ways of thinking and living.

Difficult Dialogues On U.S. Campuses

Speech bubble with the following controversal words: immigration, racism, sexual identity, healthcare, climate change, middle east
Campuses engage with controversy on issues as varied as teaching evolution, gun control, gay marriage, energy policy, and war. This website provides strategies, resources, and information about projects that address a wide array of issues and topics, including: fundamentalism and secularism, racial and ethnic relations, the Middle East conflict, religion and the university, sexual orientation, academic freedom, civility in everyday life, and more.

Difficult Dialogues Handbooks

Start Talking Handbook  Stop Talking Handbook  Toxic Friday Handbook

The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ offers three handbooks to help faculty, faculty developers and university leaders more effectively engage campus communities in conversations about the most important issues of our times. These books are available in the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½/APU Consortium Library to check out if you want to read them! If you want a PDF copy of these books, email uaa_cafe@alaska.edu. 

  • addresses strategies for introducing controversial topics into the classroom. 
  • looks at ways to apply indigenous pedagogies in western learning environments and some of the tough topics between indigenous and academic communities.
  • , along with its companion video, can launch productive discussions about ensuring safe, healthy working environments for all faculty.