TFTD

GNED051 Control, Influence and Seduction The Experience of Power otherwise known as The “POWER COURSE”

Class Consideration Sheet

So, I know why I’m here… Why are you here?

So… What is power?

“Power is the probability that one actor in a social relationship will carry out his own will against the resistance of others.” Max Weber

“ Next to enjoying ourselves, the next greatest pleasure consists in preventing others from enjoying themselves, or, more generally, in the acquisition of power.” Bertrand Russell Sceptical Essays (1928) “The Recrudescence of Puritanism”

“To know Others is knowledge, To know Yourself is insight. To control Others is strength, To control Yourself is True Power.” Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching

Terms of Reference

From the course outline…. Aim: The purpose of the course is to enable the learner to a) recognize power when it is before them; b) analyze and understand the circumstances of a power dynamic; c) understand the forces which create the control, influence and seduction in a power dynamic; d) strategize a meaningful response; and e) devise strategies to avoid power based interactions.

A Power Dynamic is….

Actor Subject Control – The Push Influence – The Point Seduction – The Pull Lots of words for power…

What is Critical Thinking?

What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?

Why should we think critically?

Why do people talk?

Why do people say what they say?

What is the purpose of communication?

Can you figure out why I say what I do?

Can you tell if what I say in this classroom is fact or opinion or argument or idea or interpretation or assumption or observation or experience…

Who has power in this room?

Where does that power come from?

Who should have power?

Should you believe or doubt what I say?

What is the role of an open mind and an open heart? What is the role of skepticism?

Classroom rules Listen and learn Every opinion counts Interact No holding back Free to Ask Free to be Asked No domination Open Mind Open Heart Everything should be questioned… I will push – doesn’t mean I am right not trying to change your mind

Why I am fascinated with power….

What makes me different… reading listening watching questioning thinking

What do you need to do to learn from this course?

Movie clip….

Question everything….

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. “

Buddha Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, B.C.

Do not have fear… Everything is reality … … you are already living it.

Course Outline

Evaluation

Class Consideration Sheets

Journals

Essays

Bonus Movies New things all new this year… The Blog

Essay Number One…

I am a… Son Father Brother Friend Lover Spouse

I am a … Teacher Mentor Lawyer Businessman Coordinator Leader Writer Musician

I am a … Taxpayer Voter Citizen Coach Sponsor Consumer/Customer

I am a … Reader Watcher Viewer Listener

I am… So many things to so many people in so many relationships…

All of those relationships have power within them.

What are you? Make a list Describe the power within that relationship

Your assignment…. If you choose to accept it… Refine your definition of power Make a list of all the power you experience today, tomorrow and the next day – Think about that and write about that

Next week… Using your list of power interactions we will begin to talk about the experience of power. How does it Feel?

So…. What do you think?