[Vwoolf] Trigger warnings

[Diana Swanson]

I agree with Vara and Lorena. I have had similar experiences with
students but such literature can be an occasion for learning and
enlightenment regarding personal, cultural, and historical phenomena.
How the teacher handles the situation can make all the difference.
Diana


Diana L. Swanson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Women's Studies & English
Faculty Associate of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Studies
Faculty Associate of Institute for the Study of the Environment,
Sustainability, and Energy 
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-6611
dswanson at niu.edu 


>>> "Neverow, Vara S." <neverowv1 at southernct.edu> 5/19/2014 9:23 AM
>>>
Thank you, Lorena, for weighing in. I think it is reasonable to alert
one's students when difficult topics will be under scrutiny in a course,
even if the topics are merely unsettling, not outright traumatic. Doing
so is not a form of coddling delicate minds that somehow should be
immune to disturbing material. Instead, it is an appropriate pedagogical
strategy that informs students about the texts and their content. 

I think of it a  "Mind the Gap" type of warning*take care, be aware, be
cautious. In my experience, such guidance generally makes the class
discussion more productive.

All best,

Vara

Vara Neverow
Professor, English and Women's Studies 
Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
Phone: 203-392-6717
Fax:    203-392-6731
email:  neverowv1 at southernct.edu



From: Lorena Russell <lrussell at unca.edu>
Date: Monday, May 19, 2014 10:03 AM
To: VWOOLF listserv <vwoolf at lists.service.ohio-state.edu>
Subject: [Vwoolf] Trigger warnings



Hi Jim et al.,
I actually had a student triggered in my class last semester while
teaching Mrs. Dalloway. He was an Afghanistan war veteran with PTSD and
became distressed during a discussion of *Shell Shock* and WW I. He
became agitated had to leave the class abruptly and I made the mistake
of asking him to return and stay. It was only later in conversation I
came to understand the depth of his distress and the context of his
actions. I will of course continue to teach the text, but will (as I
have done in the past with literature that contains potentially
disturbing sexual violence) make a point of including a reminder for
students of the potential for triggering events on my syllabus, and work
to find ways of minimizing trauma and maximizing engagement. With a
recent study noting 1 in 4 female college students experiences sexual
violence and an increasing number of veterans, I think the issue of
triggers in the classroom needs to be taken seriously here in the US. I
don*t think it calls for a drastic change in curriculum or pedagogy,
though.
Best,
Lorena
 
=======================================
Lorena Russell, Ph.D.
Director of UNC Asheville*s QEP, the Inquiry ARC
Associate Professor, Dept. Literature & Language
CPO #2130, Karpen Hall
University of North Carolina
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
828-251-6594 | lrussell at unca.edu
========================================
 
 
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