Teaching Curve 21 Jenny Lobasz on the Transparency Necessary for Building Learning Communities

Today’s conversation is with Dr. Jenny Lobasz, Associate Professor in the Department of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Delaware in the United States. Jenny teaches courses and researches on feminist and gender theory, human trafficking, interpretivist research methodologies, and teaching using non-traditional texts. For the last several years she has served as a mentor for the pedagogy workshops that are an annual part of the ISA Northeast Regional Conference.

Our conversation explores 

·      The power of a learning community as a way to understand the work that takes place in a course

·      The importance of being transparent with students about both the work you ask of them and the power relationships behind the ask

·      And ways to teach with confidence even in the face to challenges to your identity as a teacher