Leading Discussion: Spring Term

Devon, Eric, Brandon 

    Near the tail end of our reading Putnam's Better Together, we led a discussion geared toward the culmination of several ideas that had been thrown around in the previous weeks. It was our desire to make a connection from the theoretical (ideas learned from the various literature sources of the course), to the practical (our collaboration with Our United Villages' asset mapping of the Boise neighborhood), and then hopefully on to the personal, which would be a melding of these ideas into the lives of each class member.

   We also hoped to tie together the three subjects that were touched upon throughout the year. Starting fall term we discussed the definition of communities how they grow together. Winter term continued with the degradation of these communities as some struggled to survive, and others fell apart under the weight of different circumstances. On a brighter note, the class ended Spring term dwelling on those societies that do recover, and the means by which they rebuild what is left of their community.

Free Write Reflection

How do the stories from this section of Better Together compare to your own community building experience in the Boise Asset Mapping Project?

Group Discussion Questions (conversations within each OUV team)

1)What similarities or differences do you see between your free write and that of your teammates?

2) How do the protagonists of Putnam's stories depict asset mapping? Give specific examples.

3) What traits found in these communities would you try to emulate in you group work? In your own life?

4) Putnam says, "They are a 'community of practice,' a term that refers to informal groups of people who share knowledge and support one another in their common work" (pg. 190).  Describe a Community of Practice active in your daily life.