CLASS MISSION & GOALS

Through a continual process of seeking self-knowledge and active listening, we intend to create a group dialogue that incorporates humor and authentic response to societal issues, resulting in a classroom environment that fosters students' individual participation, diminishes apathy, and promotes investment in community.

Beginning with a solid foundation of self-knowledge and understanding, and a commitment to learns skills, knowledge and vocabulary vis-à-vis psychology. Goals include fighting apathy in the larger community in areas of social services and local politics, as well as working to refine individual participation in local communities with empathy and a good sense of humor. (Ruth, Sean, Wayne, Jessica)

Our mission is to obtain the knowledge, skills and vocabulary necessary to fight apathy, encourage individual participation and investment in community with a sense of humor and of continuing quest for self-understanding. (Danielle, Brooke, Jacques)

We want to learn a certain body of knowledge and develop skills, while acquiring the vocabulary of this discipline. (Steve, Jeff. Sandra)

Through the development of a shared vocabulary, the acquiring of understanding, and the refinement of tools for community building, we wish to facilitate positive change, reduce apathy while maintaining a sense of humor and humility. (Tissa, Jonathan, Cari)

Know yourself and understand how you can impart that knowledge to others. Be familiar with your target audience and learn the skills to reach that audience while maintaining a sense of humor. (Gloria, David, Jessie)

Sensitive To Diverse Learning Styles

Common Language

Unconditional Acceptance of Individuals

Open-Ended Discussion

Variety In Learning

Clear Facilitation

Inclusiveness

Intention (Conscious Action)

Open Dialogue Toward Interconnectedness

Risk Taking/Proactivity (Real or Imagined)

Becoming Informed Citizens/Educated Persons/Critical Thinkers

Contributing/Public Service

Lifelong Learning/Learning as a Way of Life

Small Class/Person-Centered Learning

Collaborative Learning

(11) Self-knowledge/understanding

(8) Apply knowledge to fight apathy out in community(ies). Take it to the street!

(7) Acquisition of knowledge, skills, vocabulary

(7) How to motivate/affect/facilitate change in groups

(7) Explicit sense of humor

(6) Refine individual participation in local community(ies), i.e. social services/local politics (domino effect)

(6) learn from each other

(6) Sharpen diagnostic tools/evaluation/applications:

--develop empathic listening

--know your audience

--develop language strategies

(3) Make contribution for positive change

(3) Increase awareness, confidence and functionality in our community(ies)

(2) Diverse understanding of community

(2) Teamwork development (collaboration)

(2) Leadership skills; pooling/evaluating strengths

(2) Leveling hierarchy within this class. Leadership (subtle). Empathy. All voices heard. Power of the individual.

(2) Learning to operate by consensus as a group

(1) Form connections/bonding (community) with one another in this class

(0) Content-Based Learning

(0) Phenomenology of certainty vs. Phenomenology of ambiguity

(0) Qualitative assessment of community development