Sometimes using the writings of authors that are challenging and a little (or a lot) "out there" can help the educational process move along. A discussion of creation that includes Erich von Daniken alongside evolution and the Judeo-Christian version might allow students to learn how to discuss a topic that may provoke strong emotions in a publicly appropriate way. The likelihood that a person embraces all three perspectives or is emotionally vested in all three types of writings is low and thus they can learn how to have an intellectual discussion by discussing what is , for the individual student, the less personal, less emotional view.
Learning to objectively evaluate the evidence for and against an authors statements is, to me, one of the main points of education.
Yes, it is hard to know what topic will profoundly affect another person and that is why communication is key. If we cannot, due to a disabling condition, discuss a topic, then we should talk to the professor and figure out alternatives; even as we would find alternatives if we were in a physically impossible class. If we are uncomfortable, challenged, disagree with the professor, or simply don't know how to defend our position on an issue, isn't that why we are in the class? To learn another perspective, to learn how to evaluate evidence, to learn how to defend an opinion based on knowledge and informed belief? Even as we might sign up for an exercise class that is hard, makes us uncomfortable and challenges us, but also increases our abilities?
