I think that teachers need to consider the structure and limitations of a class when they assign materials. In this case, the class is required for our department, so there is no opting out. We had a stack of 8 books and various additional materials to complete in two months. It was a weekend class with no structured discussion beforehand, no time to process the reading materials together. So students are required to read material that goes into detail about rape, racist violence etc etc but with no institutional support to process this material.
We’re not machines. We have feelings. We’re going to have a reaction to what we read. If we can’t share that reaction in real time and have pedagogical support understanding its meaning, then it’s going to be upsetting. Not because one particular student is triggered or weak, but because people have predictable human needs.
A lot of other students had similar reactions. Particularly the marginalized students in class.
It’s not right.