Lesson Report:
**Title: Defining Politics: Actors, Decisions, and Realities**
**Synopsis:**
In this session, we delved into the foundational elements that construct the definition of politics, examining how political decision-making is a ubiquitous part of daily life. The aim was to cement the concept of politics as “who gets what, when, and how” and to prepare for more intricate political themes in upcoming classes. Through interactive activities, students were encouraged to identify political decision-making in personal anecdotes and develop a conceptual map of politics in preparation for analyzing larger political frameworks.
**Attendance:**
– Absent Students: Kubaat Islambek, Inayat Khan, I Get Him, Eldad
**Topics Covered:**
1. **Introduction to Politics**
– Recap of previous session: Simplified definition of politics as “who gets what, when, and how.”
– Objective: Transition from personal to complex political scenarios in subsequent classes.
2. **Attendance and Classroom Management**
– Process: Name-calling and verification of presence on the e-course platform.
– Noted issues: Complexity of the current attendance system with e-course.
3. **Understanding Political Decisions through Personal Stories**
– Activity: Students recalled personal experiences involving political-like decisions within their life contexts (e.g., family dynamics or choosing a movie with friends).
– Key Example: Deciding family activities by involving preferred family members in the decision-making process.
4. **Pair Discussion and Concept Mapping**
– Activity: In pairs, students exchanged stories, identifying the actors (“who”), the resources or outcomes (“what”), the timing (“when”), and the processes (“how”).
– Development of a visual concept map linking these elements.
5. **Detailed Explanation of Political Concepts**
– *Who*: Identified as ‘political actors,’ individuals, or groups influencing collective decisions. Example included country and non-person entities as actors.
– *What*: Distinguished between tangible (money, goods) and intangible (rights, opportunities) resources.
– *When*: Introduced timing and sequencing of actions or decisions. Simple dinner planning scenarios were used to illustrate sequencing.
– *How*: Described as methods including rules, procedures, and strategies in decision-making contexts.
6. **Politics as a Game: Rules and Realities**
– Difference between laws (written, enforced) and norms (unwritten, traditional).
– Example used: Friends dividing responsibilities and dealing with unexpected shortages.
– Exploration of how politics balances rules and reality (uncertainty, scarcity, imbalance).
7. **Application of Political Concepts to Larger Scenarios**
– Country profiles (alpha, beta, gamma) example: Understanding international relations and trade agreements.
– Group Exercise: Identifying political issues, rules, and realities affecting the countries.
**Actionable Items:**
1. **Attendance System Improvement:**
– Develop a more efficient method for taking attendance, possibly streamlining the process within one platform.
2. **Homework Assignment:**
– Read two chapters assigned on the e-course platform by the next class.
– Come prepared for discussion to facilitate deeper understanding of political concepts.
3. **Communication:**
– Join the class Telegram group to ensure access to shared materials and announcements.
4. **Platform Enrollment:**
– Ensure all students join the e-course page to keep track of class materials and announcements.
By maintaining detailed engagement records and building upon initial political concepts, students can prepare themselves for understanding the broader political themes to be discussed in upcoming sessions.
Homework Instructions:
ASSIGNMENT #1: Reading Assignment on Politics
In preparation for next week’s class, you are assigned two chapters to read. These chapters are intended to deepen your understanding of the concepts we’ve discussed regarding politics as decision-making processes involving resources, such as “who gets what, when, and how.” The readings will equip you with theoretical insights that are essential for our upcoming discussions on more complex political themes.
Instructions:
1. Log in to the eCourse platform.
2. Navigate to the “Reading Materials” section.
3. Download the PDFs of the two assigned chapters.
4. Carefully read both chapters, paying attention to key themes, terms, and concepts that relate to political decision-making and resource allocation.
5. Take notes on any areas you find challenging or particularly interesting.
6. Be prepared to discuss these chapters in class on Tuesday, ensuring you can both summarize the content and contribute your thoughts on their application to real-world political scenarios.