Chapter Thirteen: Final Exercises
Final Exercise #3: Contrasting Power Structures
Contrasting Power Structures
Introduction
Throughout this semester, we havefocused on the issue of social change and power. We have presented different ways in which people think we should organize for social change, and the consequences that these diverse ways of organizing have for people’s everyday lives. We have looked at issues that connect the West with certain ways of thinking, and we have critiqued, also, how those ways of thinking impact the worlds that we create. In this exercise we are asking you to contrast these different ways of creating and sustaining power.
Prompts for Final Exercise. Please address all items.
- How is the Zapatista practice of “govern-obeying” different from Che Guevara’s “Vanguardism”?
- What were Che’s arguments for Vanguardism? How does he connect the need for “Vanguardism”to the relationship between Cuba and global capitalism?
- In the face of global capitalism, and other forms of oppression, what are the strengths and the limitations of each?
- How is “Vanguardism” connected with binary thinking? How is “govern-obeying” an example of Anzaldúa’s divergent thinking?
- How to these power structures connect with your ideas for social change?
Steps to create the Final Exercise. Please follow all of these steps.
- Re-read PPs on the history of Cuba.
- Look at your notes and your underlined texts of “Man and Socialism in Cuba” and the Sixth Declaration of Lacandón Jungle (II. –Where We Are Now)
- Watch (again) the PPs uploaded for Che, Anzaldúa, and the Zapatistas
- Look at secondary sources in Moodle for Che, Zapatistas and Anzaldúa
- Have an awesome discussion
- Make a eleven-minute long presentation in any of the formats suggested below
- Title every submission and include teammates names. The title needs to include your table number
- At the end of class today, please upload your notes, texts, PPs, Spoken Word written text, script for Skits, and notes, images and videos to the Final Project folder in Moodle. Everything needs to be titled (including table number) and include the names of teammates.
Possible Presentation Formats
Spoken Word, Skits, Video and image analysis, Power Point Other creative formats might also be accepted, previous consultation with facilitators
Presentation Guidelines
Your presentation needs to have an introduction, a body where you draw your argument and present evidence or examples, and a conclusion. We need to hear from all the students in your group.
Introduction
Thoroughly explain the concepts that will help you present your vision.
Body
Be creative! Here is where you can use pictures, videos, poems, spoken word, or other forms to illustrate, analyze, and share your thoughts. Remember to tie your examples with your author’s concepts or ideas.
Conclusion
Bring it all together. Briefly recap concepts and examples or illustrations to explain how all of the above ties in with your life and vision for a better world.
Grading Rubric
| Group Graded: | Total | ||||
| Beginning | Developing | Accomplished | Exemplary | ||
| Quotes from text | No quotes used | Quotes with little analysis | Quotes with some analysis | Quotes with full analysis | |
| Clarity of ideas | Almost impossible to understand | Difficult to understand | Failry easy to understand | Clear and easy to understand | |
| Quality of Presentation | Poor use of resources, boring. Few students present | Some use of resources, somewhat boring. Some students present | Good use of resources, entertaining. Many students present | Great use of resources, impressive. Most to all students present | |
| Length of Presentation | Shorter 3 mins, longer 11 mins | Between 3-5 mins | Between 5-6 | Between 6-11 |
