Navigating Classroom Dynamics & Disruptions
Message from the Provost
I’ve taught political science at UW-Madison since 2008, so I know all too well that, as instructors, each time we walk into class, we never know exactly what is going to happen.
That can be exhilarating and, when things don’t go well, profoundly challenging. A discussion may go awry. A student may direct an inappropriate comment at us or their classmates. An upsetting event that’s happened – on campus or off – might have students and instructors worried or distracted. Knowing some basic, proactive, and in-the-moment strategies can alleviate stress and uncertainty for you and your students.
This guide aims to help all of us who teach – whether as a lead instructor, teaching assistant, or other member of a teaching team – anticipate, prepare for, and respond to a range of class disruptions. It brings together information and resources from across UW-Madison so it’s easy to find and use.
The university is committed to supporting you as you do the vital work of teaching. Developing this resource is one way we’re doing that. I also encourage you to connect with support structures in your school/college, and consider having conversations about these issues within your department or group. You can download a printer-friendly version of this resource to help guide those conversations. And please contact CTLM if you would like assistance facilitating or co-facilitating discussions.
Thank you for all you do to support our students,
John
John Zumbrunnen
Provost
Professor of Political Science
In this guide
Proactive strategies
As you start the semester with a new class, follow these steps to build trust and address conflict effectively.
Responding in the moment
This guidance will help you think through how you might respond to various challenges that can arise during class.
After the moment
Some heated moments can have long-lasting impacts. This section can help you restore healthier class dynamics.
Instructor rights & responsibilities
- Instructors are responsible for setting standards (via the syllabus and other communication to students) for classroom behavior and enforcing those standards consistently. More about communicating expectations
- Instructors have the right to guide classroom discussion, including setting discussion topics that are germane to the course and learning outcomes, and to set reasonable limits on the class time made available to students for discussion. More about guiding discussion
- Instructors may discuss political issues in class if they are relevant to course learning outcomes. If political issues are to be discussed, instructors are responsible for ensuring that all points of view on the issue are welcome in the discussion. Political campaign activity, including advocacy for a particular candidate, political party, or position on a referendum, is prohibited in class. More about discussing politics
- UW System code regarding nonacademic misconduct prohibits conduct that obstructs or impairs university-run activities or interferes with a person’s ability to participate in university-run activities. It also prohibits disorderly conduct including violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud, or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which the conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance in university buildings and university lands. Violations of this code may constitute nonacademic misconduct. More about nonacademic misconduct
- If a student is disrupting class and does not follow the instructor’s direction to stop, the instructor has the right to ask the student to leave. More about addressing disruptions
- If instructors have an immediate concern for their or their students’ safety, they should call 911. More about threatening behaviors