Meeting this Moment: Advice for Handling Difficult Topics in the Classroom and Navigating Challenging Institutional Environments

This Society for the Study of Japanese Religions roundtable is centered on two aspects of our profession that, while evergreen, have become more salient in recent days: (1) best practices for teaching difficult topics in the classroom and (2) strategies for navigating challenging institutional environments, particularly those hostile to our field. In this time of crisis within American higher education, four faculty representing different regions of the country, institutional types, stages in their careers, and subject expertise will share their experience before opening up to questions and dialogue with attendees. This will be a place for collective brainstorming about how best to meet this moment, and although the panelists are all connected to the field of Japanese religious studies, much of what we discuss will be broadly relevant to many outside our field. All are welcome to learn and share.