Teaching Controversial Issues

Talking about controversial issues such as bias, stereotyping and racism is critical to helping learners make sense of the world. Teaching controversial issues is a activity-based resource that raises a range of debates and provides teachers with the tools to develop critical thinking in their learners. It helps learners to understand concepts of race, class, identity, justice, conflict and power relations. Teaching controversial issues tackles controversial topics such as - Why are people racist? Are boys better at technical and science subjects? Was Jan van Riebeeck a hero or villain? Does "overpopulation" cause poverty and unemployment? What is democracy? Teaching controversial issues has illustrated classroom activities, as well as activities for teacher development and includes photocopiable worksheets to accompany these activities. It is useful for school managers, teacher educators as well as classroom teachers, especially those who teach Social Sciences in the Senior Phase.