Lesson Report:
**Title: Understanding Power Dynamics and Political Models**
In this session, we delved into the concept of power, its definitions, and the complexities surrounding its application and legitimacy. Through interactive discussions and group activities, students explored real-world scenarios to identify different forms of power and how political science theories apply to understanding societal dynamics. The session aimed to reinforce students’ understanding of power as a spectrum rather than a binary concept and to prepare them for the upcoming analysis of political ideologies.
**Attendance:**
– Nilufar was absent (excused).
**Topics Covered:**
1. **Administrative Announcements:**
– Discussion on homework submission issues and extensions.
– Importance of timely submissions and the use of E-course for assignments.
2. **Defining Power:**
– Revisiting definitions discussed in the last class.
– Explored concepts of control, influence, and achieving desired outcomes.
– Definitions and distinctions of terms: power, legitimacy, authority, and sovereignty.
3. **Discussion and Personal Reflection:**
– Class discussion about personal examples of power usage.
– Students shared experiences from their lives, relating them to the definitions of power discussed.
4. **Visible and Subtle Forms of Power:**
– Differentiation between overt (visible) power and subtle (less visible) forms of power.
– Examples included familial influence, societal norms, and authority structures.
5. **Power Spectrum and Measurement:**
– Introduction to the concept of power as a spectrum, not a binary.
– Discussion on the rarity of absolute power and the idea of power falling on a continuum.
6. **Group Activity: Case Studies of Political Power Dynamics:**
– Students were divided into groups to research historical events and analyze the power dynamics involved:
– Arab Spring 2011
– Brexit Referendum 2016
– U.S.-China Trade War 2018-2020
– Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
– Each group identified political actors and discussed the types and levels of power held by each.
7. **Discussion of Models and Ideologies:**
– Brief introduction to how understanding power can lead to forming and testing political models.
– Preparation for next week’s exploration of political ideologies.
**Actionable Items:**
– **Homework:**
– Ensure homework is submitted on E-course by the deadline; extensions are temporary.
– Read the assigned 20-page textbook chapter for next week’s class on political ideologies.
– **Attendance Verification:**
– Verify the accuracy of class lists for new transfer students and recent group changes.
– **Preparation for Next Class:**
– Review key concepts of power discussed in this lesson.
– Familiarize yourself with examples of different types of political systems and ideologies.
– **Administrative Follow-up:**
– Address any persistent issues with homework submissions and ensure all students are aware of the correct procedures.
Homework Instructions:
NO HOMEWORK. The transcript does not contain any instructions for a new homework assignment being given. The discussion around homework pertained to a previous assignment, including submission details and feedback, but no new homework tasks were introduced during the lesson.