Teaching Amid the Turmoil: Social Media as a Pedagogical Strategy for Moral Reflection
Lindsey Johnson Edwards, Southern Methodist University

The Conference on Medicine and Religion recognizes that "we gather in a moment marked by profound institutional upheaval, political polarization, and cultural disharmony." Amid this tumultuous time, how might educators equip their students to encounter the ever-evolving news cycle with discernment rather than immediate despair? How might professors teach students to engage in moral reflection as opposed to a mere reaction? How might instructors guide students toward pursuits of justice in place of the justification for systemic failure? Instead of looking away from the fracturing around us and within our institutions, these questions prompt us to consider the ways in which educators can craft creative practices that foster prophetic discernment, moral imagination, and the love of one's neighbor. This presentation will explore the pedagogical potential of integrating social media into the classroom as a means for cultivating the theological, moral, and civic formation of students. The goal of this presentation is twofold. First, I aim to encourage instructors to consider how they might utilize digital platforms as an entry point into facilitating conversations about the realities of the present political moment. Second, I plan to leave time for educators across disciplines to share their own pedagogical strategies, allowing us to learn from one another and build a network of support. My presentation will begin by sharing my observations from testing two approaches to political discourse in my Bioethics from a Christian Perspective courses in the Spring and Fall of 2025. The first approach sought to refrain from explicitly discussing current events, intending to remain politically neutral in front of students. The second approach, however, set aside time in the classroom to engage in dialogue on the recent headlines, connecting the newsworthy stories and policy changes to the theological and bioethical topics of the day. After sharing my empirical research on the positive impacts of the latter approach, I will articulate the ways in which I thoughtfully integrate social media into my class as a starting point for these conversations. I will elucidate how I utilize digital content to teach my students to recognize misinformation, analyze the implicit theological or moral undercurrents in political rhetoric, and discern how the headlines may affect the flourishing of the students' neighbors. These conversations do not merely impact students as thinkers and consumers of content online and in the classroom, but they also take part in forming students into empathetic, Spirit-led, and justice-oriented members of their communities. After sharing how I implement social media and digital platforms into instructional time, materials, and assignments, I will invite others to share their strategies for educating students amid the upheaval, polarization, and disharmony of this moment.