Paul Chen (Department of Political Science, Western Washington University) reflects on the importance of being curious and asking questions in order to better understand the positions we ascribe to–and then having a solid argument to support those positions.

Paul Chen (Department of Political Science, Western Washington University) explains how he balances trust-building and relationship-building when getting students to discuss things on which they disagree.

Paul Chen (Department of Political Science, Western Washington University) suggests that having students argue positions that are opposite their values or beliefs helps them better understand and possibly better support their positions. This exercise, rooted dialectical pedagogy, allows students to be better critical thinkers and to be more open to new ideas.

Paul Chen (Department of Political Science, Western Washington University) admits to his students that he could be wrong and that he holds certain biases, modeling a certain humility and guiding students to balance in the tension of classroom conversations.

Paul Chen (Department of Political Science, Western Washington University) advises that classrooms are not truly safe spaces for varying viewpoints, but that having ground rules in place–and modeling those ground rules–can help give everyone a level of safety and respect.