Advanced Theory and Practice in Small Group Facilitation

Catalog description

This course will build on your knowledge of the foundational facilitator mindsets and communication practices that you developed in SOC 369 . You will refine your ability to re-balance the sociological forces that shape human interaction on the interpersonal, societal, and global levels. You will learn to use all of the facilitator communication practices with intuition and nuance in a variety of conversational contexts. The fundamental difference between the foundational facilitation course and facilitation on the advanced level is that SOC 469 will prepare you to make choices about how to apply the dialogue methodology in contexts in which the topics are not explicit and thus, the stakes of the conversations are less immediately apparent (though still present). The structure of this course is parallel to SOC 369 : you will complete an imbedded practicum during which you will lead small group dialogues with a focus on both U.S. and international cultural and social issues. At the advanced level, dialogues will not start with a singular focus but will instead begin with an exploration of the "sociological addresses" of the "participators." You will develop the ability to ask questions that seamlessly access information while also catalyzing a conversation. You will then work with the sociological themes that are revealed in the conversation, identifying relevant questions that will invite group members to examine society. This course meets for four hours per week, in addition to which you will also co-facilitate at least three 90-minute dialogues weekly. The participators of these dialogues will be other Penn State students who register for World in Conversation dialogues. You will be provided with live coaching and direct feedback to support your development throughout the semester.