Thinking Through the Humanities

Transcription

1 Thinking Through the Humanities Critical Thinking: Perspectives to Create Innovative Solutions Government IT Symposium St. Paul, MN December 4, 2018 Presenter: Susan M. Frost, M. A.

2 Today s Agenda 8:30 9:15 Introduction & Directions 9:15 10:15 Film: An Enemy of the People (1:43 in length) 10:15-10:30 Intermission Option or 11:00 break 10:30 11:15 Film: An Enemy of the People (second half) 11:15 12:00 Break Out Session: Characters 12:00 1:00 Lunch 1:00 2:00 Sharing our Character Discussions 2:00 2:15 Break 2:15-3:00 Break Out Session: Finding Solutions 3:00 3:30 Sharing our Solutions 3:30 4:30 Take Back & Closing Discussion See Hand-Out

3 Goals for the Day... Nurturing Empathy Exploring Critical Thinking Insight into people we find difficult Collaboration

4 The Iphone & the Brain Studies show... iphones & ipads are addictive Stimulant that produces a neurochemical high like nicotine & cocaine Decrease the ability to think deeply Most profound learning occurs in conversation Constantly On Decreases Empathy Multi-tasking is not conducive to learning Test Yourself: Every time you want to reach for your phone, make a note

5 Future of the Workforce: Considerations 2025 Millennials will comprise 75% of the workforce Super-sized Generation: Larger than Baby Boom Comparison of values: Baby Boomers values at same age Independent thought Don t trust anyone over 30 Shake up the system Anti-authoritarian Millennials Want a job that makes an impact (72%) Personal Fulfillment from Jobs (71%) Meaningful relationships at work (60%) Collaborative Percentage Source: XYZ University

6 The Value of Hunkering In: Creating a Stable Environment Led the Computer Revolution Millennials Want a job that makes an impact (72%) Personal Fulfillment from Jobs (71%) Meaningful relationships at work (60%) Collaborative - The future of your industry - Are these the attributes required in IT? - Who are these Millennials clients? Digital Natives Percentage Source: XYZ University

7 We are naturally compelled to follow the path When you set up a series of expectations, no one looks for other answers.

8 What are the dynamics of a surprise party?

9 The Comfort Zone is laden with surprises: You could get stuck in the mud and never come up with new paths. Missed Opportunity?

10 The Burning Question: How can a play written in 1882 in Norway help you develop critical thinking skills in the 21 st Century? Let s start with how people tend to think...

11 The Left Brain Explanation The Right Brain Explanation Where do you fall?

12 Left Brain - Right Brain Today s Goal: To Stand on the Bridge Between Order & Chaos Daniel Pink: A Whole New Mind -- The Revenge of the Brain

13 Who s Who 1. Thomas Stockmann - Physician, Director of Kirsten Springs Spa 2. Peter Stockmann - Mayor, Brother of Thomas, Director of the Spa 3. Morton Kiil - Owner of the Tannery, step-father-in-law of Thomas; elder town curmudgeon and known tight-wad 4. Hovstad - Young, editor of town newspaper, friend of Thomas 5. Aslaksen - Owns print shop, landlord of sorts to Hovstad, president of business association, home owner s association, temperance league A community influencer

14 Where is this going? How can you be... A problem solver? A better mediator? An effective administrator?

15 A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say. - Italo Calvino Journalist, Writer, Essayist

16 Exploring the management of multiple perspectives... The Problem Play When it s all over, it s NOT over. All answers are temporary. What do we learn about critical thinking from a story?

17 Setting the Stage An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen Father of Modern Drama

18 How... Critical Viewing Tool Kit

19 Thomas Hobbes Leviathan (A large aquatic creature) Motives of Quarrel 1. Competition 2. Diffidence 3. Glory Translated: 1. Greed & Power 2. Safety & Insecurity 3. Ego By John Michael Wright Oil on canvas, circa National Portrait Gallery, London

20 Thomas Hobbes is RELEVANT!

21 Right-Brain Thinking 6 Principles

22 #2 The Story - Easier to Remember - Integral to Human Experience - High Touch - Emotional - Facilitates but does not replace Creative Thinking A Novel & a Play give a comprehensive picture

23 #6 Empathy a tool for Understanding Conflict resolution Creative problem - solving 51% of a Leader is Empathy -- Jose Andres We Fed an Island

24 Michael Cudahy: Master Negotiator You have to start with Maybe I m supposed to hate this guy, but I gotta get that out of my head. If you can warm up to him and be nice, you can have a great relationship with someone who is supposed to be an adversary... they have to say Gee, I like this guy. Maybe we can work something out. If they don t say that, you ain t never going to get there. You ve got to find the common ground with the other guy.

25 How will this group move forward? How can you be... A problem solver? A more effective leader? A better mediator? An effective administrator?

26 Recap 3 Key Tools What does each character want? (Hobbes) 2. The Story (Pink) Is it universal? Do you see this kind of thing everyday? 3. Empathy (Pink) Step into your character s shoes How does he feel? What is his relationship with others?

27 How to watch this film 1. Analytical listening: a) Does a character mention something more than once? b) Can you tell what their underlying motives are? c) Are they acting out of a need for safety, greed or ego? 2. Relationship Analysis: For example: Catherine & Peter or Thomas & Peter Clue: The little boys are mirror characters of Thomas & Peter 3. Role of Secondary Characters a) How do they serve the story b) Ibsen is very careful to give you very nuanced details c) Can you find the key people in solving the problem 4. Relevance

28 Questions? Written by Henrik Ibsen Adapted for the American Stage by Arthur Miller Film Directed by Steve McQueen 1978 This season: The Goodman Chicago The Guthrie Minneapolis The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre - Broadway

29 The Film

30 Break

31 Character Discussion Groups (:45 minutes)

32 Now that you have the story, Let s put this sense to work... #6 Empathy Leadership Understanding Conflict resolution Creative problem - solving

33 Peter Stockman What do we learn from his history? work history family history sacrifices made What do we learn from his relationships Thomas Catherine Morton Petra What does he value? What does he fear? How can we like him?

34 Thomas Stockman What do we learn from his history? work history family history sacrifices made What do we learn from his relationships Peter Catherine Morton Petra What does he value? What does he fear? How can we like him? (or not?)

35 Morton Kiil What do we learn from his history? work history family history sacrifices made What do we learn from his relationships Thomas Catherine Peter Petra What does he value? What does he fear? How can we like him?

36 Aslaksen What do we learn from his history? work history family history sacrifices made What do we learn from his relationships Thomas Peter The Community What does he value? What does he fear? How can we like him?

37 Hovstad What do we learn from his history? work history family history sacrifices made What do we learn from his relationships Thomas Catherine Morton Petra Peter What does he value? What does he fear? How can we like him? Where does mentoring come in?

38 Catherine What do we learn from her history? The power and position of women family history sacrifices made What do we learn from her relationships Thomas Morton Petra Peter What does she value? What does she fear? Is she dangerous and why? How can we like her?

39 Petra What do we learn from her history? The power and position of women family history sacrifices made What do we learn from her relationships Thomas Morton Catherine Peter What does she value? What does she fear? Is she dangerous? How can we like her?

40 Lunch 12:00 1:00

41 Sharing of Characters Group Discussion 1:00 2:00

42 Break 2:00 2:15

43 Problem Solving Breakout into Towns 2:15 3:00

44 Sharing of Solutions & Discussion 3:00 3:30

45 Where is the common ground? What s the take-back? How will this affect the way you approach creative problem-solving? Discussion 3:30 4:30

46 Question: Who is the real enemy of the people?

47 Final Thoughts... Innovative Ideas New insights? Take back? Final comments?

48 What did you discover?

49 Thank you for Sharing the Day & Your Insights! Don t for get to complete your evaluations on the app.