Lecture, Teaching Traumatic Themes: Art as an Entryway to Difficult Discussions
The discussion over whether to put “trigger warnings” on syllabi or reading assignments to warn students of potentially traumatic course materials has generated considerable controversy—and no small amount of media ridicule. At the same time, instructors who teach deeply disturbing themes, often involving violence or cruelty, are aware that they are responsible for creating a learning environment that is both challenging and accessible to everyone, and they must therefore prepare students for difficult discussions so that learning can take place.