Cornell University Home

Center for Teaching Innovation

Teaching During the U.S. Election

Presidential elections often arouse strong feelings among students. The elections of 2016 and 2020 saw those feelings increase in intensity. We have every reason to believe that the fall of 2024 will also be marked by heightened emotions on campus. In this guide, we suggest ways to engage and support students while teaching during the 2024 U.S. Election. 

  • Recognize that students come from a range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Be aware that they may be affected to a greater or lesser degree by the U.S. election.
  • Prepare in advance. It is easier to respond to the election, whatever the result, if you have laid the groundwork for discussion, thoughtfully planned due dates, and established community norms and agreements early in the semester.
  • Acknowledge the possible impacts on students, whatever the results.
  • If appropriate, provide structure for discussion. Revisit or introduce guidelines for inclusion and civility. Consult this resource from the Intergroup Dialogue Project on framing discussions of the election.

Before the semester

  • Be aware of the election when scheduling examinations or due dates for important work. Try to avoid making important work due the days immediately preceding and following Tuesday, November 5th.

At the start of the semester

  • Remind students that this is an election year and that it is difficult to predict what the semester might bring, politically.
  • Outline for students if, and how, the election will be relevant to this course. Please keep in mind that Cornell faculty and staff cannot advocate for specific candidates, political parties, or ballot initiatives in the classroom or using Cornell resources. You can find details at University Policy 4.18.
  • Acknowledge that the results of the election will likely have an impact on students, and the impact will likely be felt more strongly by some students than by others. Some students are likely to be more directly impacted by political decisions of different administrations than others.
  • Remind students that, whatever their political convictions, you will respect and support their work as students in your class.
  • Consider adapting this sample statement: 
    “With the national election this fall, I recognize that political tensions and emotions may be higher than typical and we all may be more distracted. The election will impact many of us, but in different ways. During this time it is especially important that we treat each other with care and respect. We come from different places, life experiences, and perspectives, and we won’t all see the election the same way (it would be a shame if we did). But we are all members of the same community. We will strive to learn together, and from each other.”

Top of page

Pre-Election

  • Encourage students to vote. You may choose to spend a few minutes talking about why voting is important to you or discuss ways the election may impact issues related to your course topic or discipline. 
  • Remind students that elections provide an opportunity to learn from people with different political views and life experiences, and of the value of engaging with multiple perspectives. 
  • If appropriate for the subject and content of your course, consider how might you engage students in an election related activity. Examples:
    • Critical analysis of a speech, op-ed, article etc.
    • Compose an op-ed, speech, letter to a public official etc.
    • Conduct statistical analysis of polling or demographic data
    • Research pros and cons of a public policy
    • Discuss competing news sources and how to critically evaluate them. See this library resource.

Top of page

Post-Election

It may take a while to know the results. No matter the outcome, there will be a range of emotional reactions; some students may be jubilant, others crushed, others uncertain, and others uninterested. How you might respond will depend on your discipline, the size of your course, your own personal reactions and resilience and your comfort in facilitating challenging conversations. After the results are announced, consider the following:

  • Remind students that not all members of our community will be feeling the same way. Emphasize that, regardless of the results, we are still a class community grounded in mutual respect.
  • Acknowledge that many, yourself included, may find it hard to concentrate.
  • Encourage students to reach out to those close to them to both receive and offer support and process the news.
  • Remind students that support resources are available. Consider sharing a message such as this:
  • Consider engaging students in a short (5-10 min), private, writing time at the start of class to help them reflect, process, and acknowledge the event. 
    • What are you feeling?
    • What are your hopes?
    • What is something you can do?
  • Note that some students may find it helpful to set the election aside and focus on the course materials at hand. Students often report feeling exhausted from thinking or talking about events, and are often relieved to be able to focus on course materials and forget about outside matters for a time.

Especially in certain disciplines and courses, it may make sense to discuss the results of the election. Keep in mind students may be more emotional and vulnerable than typical. Here are some ideas for structuring a helpful discussion:

  • Remind students of community norms and conversational ground rules.
  • Provide a framework, set and communicate clear goals, offer guided questions to begin, and be prepared to moderate the discussion.
  • Consider how you will respond, interrupt, re-focus, or end the discussion if things become unproductively heated.
  • Root the discussion in the discipline and let students know you may guide them back to the relevant core concepts of the course.
  • Synthesize the discussion to connect it back to the goals, and reflect on the dynamics and results.

For more detailed preparation, see Engaging Viewpoint Diversity in the Classroom.

Top of page

Resources

Further Support

Teaching during this fall’s election season will likely be challenging. As always, your colleagues in the Center for Teaching Innovation are available to help. Contact us at cornellcti@cornell.edu to arrange a consultation. We are also available via our Online Drop-in Hours. 
 

Top of page