The Class Interview: Student Engagement in Courses Covering Sensitive Topics

Abstract

Given the range of sensitive topics covered in many psychology courses, building community among students may encourage participation and impact student learning. This study investigated student responses to an interview activity used within several diversity courses in psychology. During the class interview, the instructor gathered information about students' backgrounds, concerns, and fears associated with the course, and their needs for successful learning. The second phase of the interview gave students the opportunity to interview the instructor. In a post-activity survey, students (N = 131) reported their approval of the exercise with recommendations that faculty use it in more courses. Participants also indicated that the interview process encouraged student participation in class discussions, created a more comfortable classroom environment, and clarified course expectations. Several students specifically credited the interview exercise with promoting ‘collaboration with peers’ and creating a ‘sense of community’. They also indicated they appreciated the chance to ‘get to know other students’ as well as the ‘professor's concern for student opinions’.