SOSC 1140B Tutorial Friday 8:30-10:30

Tutorial Leader: Adrian Khan.

Discussion Groups
Each week we will be breaking up the class into small groups to engage with the
material in the readings and lecture and apply it to the world around you.
Goals of the discussion groups:
They will give you a good indication of the issues and concerns prioritized in this
course
Think critically about the material you are exposed to in the weekly required
readings, lectures and if shown, videos and gives you an opportunity to apply this
knowledge to your own lives and to the society in which you live
These small groups help you develop leadership skills as well as the ability to work
in groups to solve problems. A must in the corporate world today.
Listening to others in your group who will come from a variety of backgrounds and
social locations will expose you to often very different opinions and interpretations
of human society and social interactions -- views that may well challenge those you
hold, giving you a new insight into your own common sense knowledge of the
world.
Do not rush through the questions. In other words do not look on the questions as
an assignment, rather as an opportunity to explore the ideas of the course and to
broaden you knowledge of the subject matter.
Procedures For Group Discussion
1. Select a new leader and new report writer for each discussion group. (Group
members may volunteer for either position more than once.) Also select a group
member to report overall findings and insights of the group to the rest of the class
for discussion. (This member may do the report verbally or just write the main
point discussed in the small group on the board.

Responsibilities Of The Discussion Group Leader:

a) In the first discussion group have the group members introduce themselves.
b) Start the group discussing the questions. Make sure everyone has an opportunity
to speak. Help the group find points of agreement and disagreement and help with
the wording of the report. Remember that consensus is not the goal of the
discussion.
Responsibilities of the Discussion Group Report Writer:
a) The group report is just that: a summary of group members' answers to the
questions. Include as many specific points as possible. Group members should help
you summarize the discussion.
b) Each group could elect one member to collect the reports each week so that all
other members of the group can borrow these notes to review for assignments and
the final exam. If done electronically forward a copy to me. It is not graded but will
rather help we to see if there are any gaps I should clarify.
Responsibilities of the Group Reporter:
a) Present the main findings and/or insights of the group (using the group report)
to the rest of the class for discussion. This can be done by either writing these main
points on the board or by verbally presenting them.
It is not necessary that all assigned questions are discussed each week.
Group interest in one or two questions may, on occasion, occupy the entire
discussion group session.

SOSC 1140B Tutorial Adrian Khan

Points to remember when engaging in the discussion groups:

1. Are you silencing anyone in your group?
2. Are you respecting the diversity of views of group members or are you
unconsciously or consciously trying to forge consent?
3. Do you make an effort to encourage everyone to speak and then really listen to
what is being said?
4. Do you consider what is being said even if it conflicts with your own beliefs on
the issue?
5. Do you view the discussion groups as being in competition with one another
(which is NOT their purpose), or as an opportunity to share information with others
who are interested in the same issues that you are, thus broadening your own
knowledge (which IS their purpose).
6. Constructive criticism comes from considering what has been presented and
offering an alternative way of understanding the point being discussed. Criticism
should be directed at the idea not at the person presenting the idea.

SOSC 1140B Tutorial Adrian Khan