Business

This week we played a 'values' game taken from a book about mentoring/team building/business. In groups divided by major we had to go through a list of (often ambiguous) 'values' and create piles based on whether these were things we valued, didn't value, or were unsure about. There were values like 'fighting fires' and 'rewarding work with pay' and 'tolerating poor performance'. After some confusion, much discussion and several blocks we made our three piles. Our group was slightly different than the rest, being comprised of all the people in the class who are the only representative of their major: one philosophy major, one history major, one women's studies major, one major in family and social relations, and one pre-social work. Other groups were all drama majors or all dreds or all psych, soc or crim majors.

After this exercise we were put into Tina- groups. These groups contained a mix of majors, reflecting diversity. Our group represents philosophy, women's studies, drama, dred and labour studies. (? I think?) We had to repeat the exercise and there was a broad range of opinion this time. I think the point of the exercise was that people with similar backgrounds are expected to hold the same values whereas people of differing backgrounds will likely show a greater range of opinions. Since both groups I participated in were diverse it was harder to see the contrast, but the first group definitely had a quicker time finding consensus.

Maybe the team-building exercise we opened with helped build some rapport for us: in our major-groups we had to discuss and present the methods and style of working in our core discipline. Our group found that we all were rooted in change - whether discussing it, creating it, dealing with it, remembering and archiving it. It was neat finding a way to pull the many different programs together. We made a funky tree poster to show the rest of the class what we were all about. Some of the other groups did artsy dance numbers, cheers, and posters. One group did some abstract visual performance art piece that they didn't want to discuss or explain. Pretty far-out.

I'm still in shock that people get degrees based on activities like these. I'd like to know more about the program - maybe I should switch to dred.

After the 'class' we had a reception with food. Every student had to bring something to share. There were pencils given out, fortune cookies, poems, skittles, cake, hummus, and salsa. It was only the second class and it was interesting to see that as soon as we were dismissed to the eats the groups-by-major reformed and that's how most people spent the rest of the evening.

It's still really hard to cross the boundary between drama/dred student and 'Other'. I wonder how long/if that will take place. Next fall will be even more difficult I'm sure.

I ordered my text book in Toronto yesterday, from the Toronto Women's Book Store. Under Her Wing should be shipped here within the next two weeks. I think I'll pick up A Hand Up: Mentoring Women in Science used over in the States.

I'm looking forward to the literature discussions. There are some interesting choices of text in my group.