Discussion 6 Instructions (Read First)

Purpose: 

Develop a deeper understanding of group dynamics, healthy disagreement, and about changing gender ideas about women. This is an exploration of changes in how we view beauty and how this is involved in sexual attraction. 

Due 10/4/20

Grading Criteria: 5 Points

  1. 1 Point: following instructions for posting to discussion.
  2. 1 Point: posting your responses on 9/29/20 by midnight
  3. 3 Points: Did you engage in a deep analysis of group process and your reactions to the group and your role?

Instructions: 

Breakout Session:

This discussion is a continuation of the breakout session for 9/29 class. in which your group used the Internet to research ads from the 1940’s and compare these ads to those we see today. Your groups will answered 3 questions:

  1. What are the differences between the ads from the 1940’s and today?
  2. What are the similarities between the ads from the 1940’s and today?
  3. How have beauty standards changed from the 1940’s and today?

I have listed the descriptions of each role below: 

  • Group Leader:
    • Someone who has never been a leader of a breakout group must volunteer
    • You must wait for a volunteer and not nominate one
    • The leader is responsible for keeping the group on track, making sure everyone has a chance to speak
    • Help the chooser evaluate ideas
  • Recorder:
    • Keeps a record of those who were in the group, and the roles that they play in the group. Writes down first names and their group role.
    • The recorder also records critical points from the small group’s discussion along with answers to the 3 questions.
    • Recording is about the content of the answers and important points
    • Recorder is responsible for entering the answers to the questions and names/roles of group members in Canvas Discussion 6
  • Silent observer:
    • You can volunteer or be chosen
    • This is also a recorder-like role, but the recording centers on group process
    • You will quietly observe the group dynamics record your observations
    • I have listed some suggested areas to look at:
      • Did individual members stay in their roles; if not, what happened?
      • Did the group leader actively manage the group and get everyone to be involved; if so, how or if not, what happened?
      • Did the devil’s advocate consistently provide an alternative opinion? If so, how did the group react; if not, what happened instead?
      • Did the group stay on task and was it cooperative?
    • The Devil’s Advocate 
      • Whoever decides on this role needs to have some comfort level with healthy conflict.
      • Your job is to argue a contrary or opposing point of view.
      • This may be done positively to ensure that all perspectives are considered
      • Do a little negatively as in being unwilling to consider the groups opinion on one idea or concept
        • Was there any confusion about the assignment? If so, how did the group handle it?
      • Questioner:
        • This is like devil’s advocate role in the sense that this role involves eliciting all points of view
          • Major difference is that questioner can only ask questions
        • Pushes back when the team comes to consensus too quickly, without considering several options or points of view.
        • The questioner makes sure that the group hears varied points of view, and that the group is not avoiding potentially rich areas of disagreement.
      • Encourager:
        • Assign this role only if your group has 6 members
        • Encourages group members to continue to think through their approaches and ideas.
        • The Encourager validates and use positive statements to encourage more from group members.
        • Encourager CANNOT ask questions
        • This role is a more sophisticated group cheerleader with goal of supporting more in-depth analysis

Canvas Discussion 6 Entry Instructions:

  • Each group’s recorder will post first, and group members will reply to this post for their responses; recorder’s post will include the following:
    • First, the first names and last initials of group members, and their roles in the group
    • Second, record the answers to the three questions that is the consensus of the group
    • Third, any important concepts that underlie the groups answers
    • The recorder does not have to post anything else
  • The silent observer will post observations of group dynamics only
    • If possible, the silent observer posts last in the discussion board
  • Everyone else will reply to the recorder’s post and will answer the questions below:
    • What did you like and dislike about your role and give reasons why?
    • Did you stay in your role the whole group? If yes, how was this difficult and how was it easy? If not, what happened?
    • What did you learn from playing this role and from group process as a whole in the breakout session?