Dealing with hot topics when emotions run high, all the while focusing on student learning, can be a huge challenge. These resources contain advice about planning for and teaching classes on controversial issues.
Managing Hot Moments in the Classroom (advice from Harvard)
Cooperative Controversies (University of Virginia's teaching center suggests how to prepare a class for a civil and educational discussion of controversial issues)
Teaching Controversial Issues (from UNC's Center for Faculty Excellence) (includes helpful bibliography)
Teaching Tough Topics (a video workshop from Ball State)