Standard Presentation (25-minute) How to Deal With People Who Are Getting on Your Last Nerve more

Sun, Sep 17, 14:15-14:40 Asia/Tokyo

Despite—or more likely because of—how much we care about and enjoy our jobs, the college or university workplace can be a stressful place. This stress can be a result of or compounded by environmental factors such as power imbalances between curriculum designers and classroom teachers, cultural miscommunications between teachers and admin staff, gaslighting co-workers, and the ever-present job insecurity that dogs a majority of college and university instructors. Not surprisingly, tempers can fray and conflict with students, administration staff, and other teachers may ensue. In this presentation, I ask if anger is ever justified in a college or university context, where an ethos of professionalism seems to outlaw any emotional response, especially negative ones. After a brief introduction to the insights on anger (and if and when it is justifiable) offered by ancient philosophy via the modern Swiss/Britsih philosopher Alain de Botton, I will discuss some conflict resolution strategies and how they can be used in and outside the classroom. Throughout the presentation, the audience will be encouraged to share their own experiences, insights, and tips for dealing with conflict in the workplace.