About the Center
Login

An Initiative Of NASPA and The Suder Foundation

FREE Professional Development Webinar
Learn how to use the placement process to build more equitable, student-centered colleges using findings from a national research study funded by the Ascendium Education Group.
Female student in jean jacket climbing stairs to academic building with blurry students in background

Considerations for Teaching Introductory Philosophy to First-Generation College Students

Collins-Warfield / American Association of Philosophy Teachers Studies in Pedagogy / Aug 17, 2023

teacher facing a group of students

First-generation college students are a unique population of undergraduates with different backgrounds, strengths, and challenges compared to their continuing generation (not first-generation) peers. These students have the potential to perform well as novice philosophers but may require some additional supports. First-generation students are especially at risk for not being retained by their university at the end of their first year. Given that introductory philosophy courses tend to be taken by first-year students, instructors of these courses can impact student retention, both at the institution and within the discipline. This essay outlines the characteristics of first-generation students, the role instructors play in their success, and specific considerations for working with this undergraduate population in introductory philosophy classrooms.

Explore

Related

Faculty Student Mentor
Using Required Courses to Expand First-Gen Mentorship Accessibility

The authors present a departmental initiative designed to address gaps first-gen students face in accessing career mentorship.

Teaching Sociology / May 30, 2023
Three Ideas for Post-Coronavirus Educational Recovery

There are many ways that schools can proactively address the inevitable and inequitable gaps caused by coronavirus-related school closures.

Forbes / March 30, 2020
Achieving Equity for Latino Students
Achieving Equity for Latino Students

This book provides a critical discussion of the role that select K–12 educational policies have and continue to play in failing Latino students.

Contreras, Ph.D. / August 2011
teacher helps female student blue shirt
Learning to See Students’ Deficits as Strengths

A teacher works to see the upsides in students’ learning difficulties—and uses them to help all students succeed.

Edutopia / September 17, 2019
BIPOC Female Student Looking Left Outside on Campus
First in the Family Make Their Mark in College

While first-gen students’ backgrounds are unique, they tend to have high expectations, multifaceted goals, and complex support needs.

Inside Higher Ed / July 19, 2022
students on computer
BEST PRACTICES IN ONLINE LEARNING FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS

In this report, Hanover Research evaluates best practices for supporting students in an online learning environment.

Hanover Research / April 2020