Infusion of EWC Institute Material in Group

Communication Classesat Fresno City College

Lynn Badertscher

• Communication is taught primarily as a General Education class

• Group Communication is one of five Comm classes that fulfill a GE requirement

• Institute material will not be taught as a unit in this class

• Instead it will be infused into several lectures during the semester

• Here are a few examples

Confucian Philosophy During Ethics Lecture

Students will study traditional Western ethical theories and philosophers, including:– Greek philosophers– Situational ethics– Legal ethics– Etc.

Confucian ideas will be infused into this lecture

Kant

Aristotle

Russell

Confucius

Socrates

Core Values of Confucius

Ren:Benevolence, Charity & Humanity

Xin:Connection of Thought & Feeling

Zhong:Equilibrium & Balance

Li:Correct Behavior, Good Manners

Propriety & Politeness

Yi:Honesty and Appropriateness

Confucius

551-479 BCE

Philosopher

How do these Confucian values apply to working in

groups?• Benevolence, Charity &

Humanity?• Connection of Thoughts and

Feelings?• Honesty and Appropriateness? • Equilibrium & Balance?• Correct Behavior, Good Manners

Propriety & Politeness?

Confucian Philosophy During Leadership Lecture

Students study a wide variety of leadership issues, including– Bases of power that contribute to

leadership– Leadership roles– Functional leadership

Confucian teachings on the “ideal man” will be included in this material

Confucian Philosophical Teachings on Leadership

The major requirement for a good leader is to be a good person (ideal man)…..–Above all be virtuous- Rule wisely and fairly- Think first, then take action decisively

• Are these Confucian ideas still viable? Practical? Effective?

• Do you see these ideas in any national or business leaders today?

• Would they be valuable in your groups?

http://www.humanrights.cn/zt/magazine/200402004811101859.htm

Leaders should:“Guide them by virtue, keep them in line with the rites, and they will, besides having a sense of shame, reform themselves.” Confucius Analects II, 3

Confucian theory emphasized conflict resolution through mediation, in order to achieve social harmony.

Asia for Educators, Columbia University | http://afe.easia.columbia.edu

Confucian Philosophy cont.

• Rituals are critical to establish and maintain leadership and group cohesion

• Groups are strengthened by establishing rituals– Why are rituals important?– What kind of rituals would benefit your

group?•Frequently meeting at a coffee shop•Regular meetings at the library•Lunch or dinner together

Infusion During Meeting Management Lecture

• Lectures will include information on how to lead and participate in group meetings

• One of the concepts focuses on the importance of meeting minutes

Importance of Group Recordkeeping

One leadership responsibility is to make sure that records are kept of all group meetings.

Meeting records are usually called minutes and include:

•Date, Time & Participants

•Decisions made

•Issues discussed

•Member assignments

•Plans made

Without written records, it is easy to misremember what happened or for participants to have different memories

Modern meetin

g records

Ancient Meeting Records

Gathering of State Examination Alumni at Huigyeong Pavilion, 1567Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk; Dongguk University Museum, Seoul

Other issues • Intercultural Communication

– Symposium assignment

• Gender and Communication– Korean custom of female names

• Language lecture:– Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis discussion will

include the Lao-Tzu Te-Tao Ching concept “As soon as we start to establish a system, we have names. And as soon as there are set names, …. It is time to stop.” chapter 32

Faculty Workshop

• Susana & I will be joining a faculty member from last year’s Institute in making a presentation to faculty in January

• Focus of Presentation:– What we learned at EWC– How are we using the material– Resources that we can share