The debate over transgender identity and ideology would make a great lesson in covering controversial social issues, an important part of the job of journalism instructors. My lesson plan on the transgender debate would focus on clarifying definitions, explaining the policy implications, and understanding competing philosophies. With that understanding, the key question is what “transgender” means, a common confusion that people are often hesitant to express. This lesson plan would require at least a week of class time, given the wide-ranging opinions held by students at a public university such as UT Austin. My critics might argue that I’m biased and should be barred from teaching such a lesson.