ABSTRACT
The Middle Arc: Emotional Intensity and Struggle describes the intrapsychic challenges and dynamics typical of the middle part of the semester, approximately weeks 4 to 13, and presents strategies to meet these challenges and advance student learning. (Chapters 8 and 9 address the interpersonal and group formation challenges of the middle arc.) We consider “What is happening with students, class dynamics, and faculty” at this stage as the course moves toward deeper explorations of foundational topics and tensions begin to rise. We examine how students’ and faculty’s intersectional identities, prior experiences, and learned coping affect intrapsychic dynamics, applying stress response and transtheoretical change theories. We offer strategies to effectively negotiate these dynamics and maintain student learning through three emotional and relational processes: engaging emotions; fostering perspective taking and empathy; and cultivating reflexivity and exploration of positionality. At this point in the course, strategies focus on titrating emotional intensity through better understanding of students’ reactions, holding and staying with challenging emotions, and managing classroom dynamics. We also provide strategies for faculty self-care during this time, focusing on being transparent about teaching practice and cultivating self-compassion. The chapter concludes with Reflection Questions for faculty to explore how the material may apply to readers’ particular styles and contexts, inviting faculty to consider their emotional and personal responses, and make active choices about application. Additional resources related to the specific chapter content are also included.
