IL132-15 Change: Critical Understanding, Agency and Action
Introductory description
How does change happen? What foundational behaviours and patterns of thought are drawn upon by those who seek to make change? Where does change take place? What are its origins? Is change a natural value, a natural movement for human beings? What is the role of hope, and of despair. How do we engage critically with ideas and practices of change? What can we learn from artists, scientists, activists and educators?
In this module we’ll have the opportunity to work with students from right across the university to investigate the ways in which the imperative for change is understood and acted upon. Together, we will explore our own perspectives and place within communities with a view to understanding ─ and perhaps making ─ meaningful change.
Module aims
This module aims to explore the conditions and circumstances that foster oppression, our own positionality in relation to oppression and agency, and to consider how we move from critique and understanding towards action and change.
Drawing on a variety of theoretical and applied critiques including, among others, critical pedagogy, contemplative pedagogy and action research, and taking a critical reading to the concept of ‘change,’ this module will explore how academics, artists and activists have understood the imperative for change and how that has translated to action.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Indicative Weekly Structure:
Week 1 Critical Contemplation: Paying Attention, Beginning Here
Week 2 Critical Theory and Critical Pedagogy: The Imperative for Change
Week 3 Imagining Better: Change Festival
Week 4 Action Research: Asking Questions, Making Webs of Collaboration, Taking Action
Week 5 Advancing Youth of Colour: Thriving through Mindfulness and Critical Contemplative Approaches (A Case Study)
Week 6 Project Development Week: reading and independent study [NO CLASS]
Week 7 The Psychology of Change: From Microbes to Culture
Week 8 Hope, Anger, Fear: the role of emotion in inciting and sustaining engagement and action.
Week 9 Spaces and places of change
Week 10 What now, what next?
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Engage with and critique the idea of contemplative practices as foundational to enacting change and develop a sophisticated analyse of their application in developing a theoretical framework for the practice of enacting change
- Develop a sophisticated critical understanding of the imperative of agency toward change within a critical, epistemological context and its application in their own practice.
- Analyse and articulate a critical understanding of the complexity of power, positionality, privilege and intersectionality.
- Critically “read” their world, and identify, analyse and articulate patterns of oppression and opportunities for change
- Critically locate themselves as subjects within history, and imagine and analyse transformations of a social, political, economic, ideological and/or ethical nature.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Research element
Students will explore action research methodology and will focus on the following questions: What are the primary tenets and approaches of action research? Are inquiry and collaboration essential to change? How can action research lead to action? Students will then be encouraged to undertake their own research utilising methodologies presented during the module.
Interdisciplinary
The module will provide an interdisciplinary opportunity for undergraduate students at Warwick to work with an international cohort of experts and practitioners engaged with analysing and making social change. Students will have an opportunity to engage critically with literature, practice and will be required to design a project for their assessment bringing about change and locating their efforts within theoretical frameworks of change.
International
The module will provide an interdisciplinary opportunity for undergraduate students at Warwick to work with an international cohort of experts and practitioners engaged with analysing and making social change.
Subject specific skills
Students on this module will develop skills to enable them to engage with and critique the idea of contemplative practices as foundational to understanding and enacting change, to be able to critically “read” their world, and articulate patterns of oppression and opportunities for change and be able to locate themselves as subjects within history, and imagine transformations of a social, political, economic, ideological and/or ethical nature.
Transferable skills
- Action research skills
- Analytical skills
- Critical reflection
- Critical thinking
- Managing change
- Networking skills
- Verbal communication skills
- Written communication skills
Study time
| Type | Required | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Practical classes | (0%) | 9 sessions of 1 hour |
| Other activity | 18 hours (36%) | |
| Private study | 32 hours (64%) | |
| Total | 50 hours |
Private study description
Private study hours include background reading, keeping a reflective learning journal, completing reading/other tasks in preparation for timetabled teaching sessions and follow-up reading work. In contemplation week (W6) you will be asked to engage in contemplative practices, as well as to continue your critical reflection. Throughout the module you will be asked to contribute to the shared OneNote and Teams space, which will form a shared and co-created resource and offer means of developing our learning community.
Other activity description
Interactive Sessions:
These weekly interactive sessions will likely include a combination of workshop, lecture and
discussion.
Optional Hour:
This optional hour will run following the 2 hours and will be an opportunity to respond to wider issues
and questions emerging from the module. It will be student led with the support of the module convenor(s).
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Student-devised assessment | 100% | 100 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Student Devised Assessments/Practical Projects are a well-established form within IATL. They offer an opportunity for students to work in collaboration with the tutor to create a piece of work that engages with a topic or question that has interested them during the module. Students are encouraged to undertake their own research utilising methodologies presented during the module. The form or medium of the assessment is expected to have a relationship with the ideas, theories and/or practices explored in the project. An SDA can include: material objects, interactive displays, music, performance, poetry, etc. Additionally, all SDAs are accompanied by a statement from the student which explains both the process undertaken for the project and a critical analysis of how their project relates or responds to themes or ideas from the module. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided by means of detailed written comment and shared via Tabula.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UFIA-W620 Undergraduate Film Studies
- Year 4 of UFIA-W621 Undergraduate Film Studies (with Year Abroad)
- Year 4 of UFIA-QW26 Undergraduate Film and Literature (with Study Abroad)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature