Brainstorming for presentation

Theme: Managing/Overcoming Our Bias and Assumptions

1. Presentation Ideas

A. Interactive Workshop: "Unpacking Bias in Communication"

  • Objective: Engage the class in identifying and addressing biases in real-time.

  • Activities:

    • Bias Reflection Exercise: Use the "Identity Wheel" (from Week 1) to discuss how personal identities shape assumptions.

    • Role-Play Scenarios: Act out conflicts caused by biases (e.g., misinterpreted tone due to cultural differences) and practice reflective listening (Week 2 skills) to resolve them.

    • Video Analysis: Show clips from The Breakup (Week 2) or Key & Peele’s Text Message Confusion (Week 1) to highlight how assumptions escalate conflicts.

  • Tools: Communication Sandwich (Week 2) to model bias-neutral responses.

B. TED-Style Talk: "How Assumptions Derail Conversations"

  • Key Points:

    • Link atarimae ("common sense" gaps, Week 1) to cross-cultural miscommunication.

    • Share research from required readings (e.g., Hampsten’s TED-Ed talk on miscommunication).

    • Use the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Styles (Week 2) to show how biases fuel avoidance/competing behaviors.

  • Visual Aid: Infographic comparing "positions" (biased assumptions) vs. "interests" (underlying needs).

2. Paper Assignment Ideas

A. Analytical Essay: "From Bias to Understanding"

  • Structure:

    1. Introduction: Define bias/assumptions using Week 1 materials (e.g., intersectionality, atarimae).

    2. Case Study: Analyze a conflict scenario (e.g., roommate dishwashing issue, Week 1) through the lens of:

      • Communication barriers (Week 1: language gaps, politeness norms).

      • Active listening techniques (Week 2: paraphrasing, affect labeling) to mitigate bias.

    3. Conclusion: Propose strategies like the "Communication Sandwich" for personal/professional settings.

  • Sources: Cite Lunenburg (2010) on communication barriers and Robinson’s mediation framework.

B. Reflective Paper: "My Bias Audit"

  • Prompts:

    • Self-Analysis: Use the Identity Wheel (Week 1) to examine which identities influence your assumptions.

    • Real-Life Conflict: Describe a time biases caused miscommunication. Apply Week 2 tools (e.g., open-ended questions) to reframe the situation.

    • Action Plan: How will you use course skills (e.g., reflective listening) to challenge biases moving forward?

3. Combined Project: Presentation + Short Paper

  • Topic: "Bias in Team Dynamics"

    • Presentation: Simulate a cross-cultural team conflict (Week 3 focus) where biases lead to toxic behavior. Use mediation techniques (Week 4) to resolve it.

    • Paper: Reflect on how collaborative conflict styles (Week 2) could prevent such issues. Reference "Position vs. Interests" chart (Week 2) to argue for empathy.

Key Resources to Reference

  • Week 1:

    • Identity Wheel, atarimae, intersectionality video.

    • Miscommunication causes (language gaps, politeness norms).

  • Week 2:

    • Communication Sandwich, affect labeling, Thomas-Kilmann styles.

    • The Breakup case study (positions vs. interests).

  • Readings:

    • Hampsten’s TED-Ed talk, Lunenburg (2010), Robinson’s mediation framework.

Goal: Highlight practical tools to recognize biases and transform conflicts into opportunities for understanding.