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Teaching in Higher Ed

Holding Class While Holding Our Breath

Dec 12, 2024
Betsy Barre, Assistant Provost and Executive Director at Wake Forest University, offers insights on the intersection of moral and political philosophy in education. She discusses the challenge educators face in navigating neutrality while encouraging open dialogue in the classroom. Barre emphasizes the ethical implications of sharing personal beliefs and highlights the need for transparency in grading practices. Additionally, she addresses the significance of integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into business ethics education, underscoring the complexities of teaching in politically diverse settings.
47:11

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Educators face the challenge of balancing personal beliefs and neutrality in classroom discussions while maintaining a safe space for diverse opinions.
  • Intellectual humility is essential for teachers to acknowledge differing views, fostering richer classroom dialogues despite the risk of perceived indoctrination.

Deep dives

Exploring Neutrality in Education

The podcast discusses the complex issue of neutrality in teaching, particularly in politically charged subjects such as philosophy and religious studies. Educators often grapple with whether to reveal their personal beliefs or remain neutral, as the hidden curriculum often discourages sharing opinions. Betsy Berry recounts her own early commitment to keeping her views private while teaching religion, sharing experiences where students worked hard to uncover her beliefs. This highlights the tension between maintaining neutrality and fostering open dialogue, as the difficulty lies in balancing honesty with the potential for perceived indoctrination.

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