Evolutionary Psychology: A guide for discussion leaders

What is a discussion leader?

Each week in class, one student will act as the discussion leader (DL) for a particular topic. The DL will be expected to provide a brief synopsis of the topic that is being covered that week, highlight what they think are the important aspects of the topic, get things rolling as far as discussion is concerned, and to control discussion. This all might sound like a lot of work - and perhaps a little scary - but it needn’t be. It should actually be fun once you get started! Each aspect of your role as DL is outlined below.

Components:

1. Synopsis: Each class should start with a five minute (or so) outline of the area being covered, the main arguments relevant to that area, the contentious topics, and any crucial studies used to support these argument. Think of it as a summary that will help to remind all of us what was covered in the previous class, and what the major issues that we should focus on are in the current class.

2. Starting a discussion: One of the role’s of the DL is to get the class talking to each other. Or at least talking to the discussion leader. There are lots of ways to do this. I suggest coming to class with at least three already prepared questions, issues, or problems that you think would make a good starting point for discussion. They may follow on directly from unresolved discussion from the previous class, or they could be on a completely novel (though obviously related) theme. For example, you could ask whether a particular theory fits such-and-such data, if a particular study should be questioned (perhaps one that you introduced during your synopsis), discuss the heuristic value of research in the area being covered, and so on. The best scenario is to set up discussion that you can see evolving (no pun intended) as the class goes on. You might also want to introduce a short article that will stimulate discussion, show a film clip: It’s really up to you to decide what will facilitate a good class dialogue.

You should also try to organize the discussion so that it covers a number of different areas within the week’s reading. For example, for your topic there may be three or four related but distinct areas that are worthy of a separate line of discussion. There are also questions/ideas/points that the class will post at the web-site, and you should try to work these into discussion.

3. Controlling discussion: It will be up to the DL to decide, among other things, who gets to speak, and when its time to move onto a new issue. This may be a little weird at first, but I would like us to give it a try. You have been in enough classes to know how seminars work, and discussion should flow naturally so there shouldn’t be too much to do.

Why are you doing this?

• Aim: To give you experience of “chairing” a discussion, raising issues you think are interesting, considering other’s views, and synthesize research and theory in an area of evolutionary psychology

• Evaluation: Acting as DL is worth 10% of your final grade. You will receive maximum points (or near to maximum) if you make a reasonable attempt at all three of the components listed above. Remember, I will be in class and will pick up the reins if need be - but you should try to be “in charge” as much as possible.

When it is your time to act as DL, I will be available to meet to discuss how things will work, the questions/issues you would like to raise, or anything else about the session. Please email me to set up a time to meet. Good luck!!!!