“Social identity theory is a “grand” theory. Its core premise is that in many social situations people think of themselves and others as group members, rather than as unique individuals. The theory argues that social identity underpins intergroup behavior and sees this as qualitatively distinct from interpersonal behavior”
I think I will I will write my artefact and my reflective essay around Social Identity Theory, embedding in my reading of bell hooks, Paulo Friere and several other cultural educational theorists to determine the design and operational aspirations of my social group working space.
“SIT maintains that human beings are social by virtue of their relation- ships with one another, an existence embedded within a vast web of net- works that are constructed based on identity-based associations.”
I truly believe from my own experience and reading, that you learn the most from your peers when the environment is correct. When the staff teaching are also aware are of their position of power and try to mitigate, they too can be a team player in creating emancipatory dialogue, challenge the institution from the inside constantly, instead of pedalling patriarchal and colonial discrimination daily.
“Most SIT-based intergroup facilitators identify with one or more of the primary social groups represented by the participants; alternatively, they often find it incredibly difficult to connect with students in terms of social identity and may be viewed as outside parties altogether”
- explore students’ understandings of their individual and group identities;
- deepen students’ awareness of the existence of social inequalities;
- assist in developing students’ conception of the interconnection between social inequalities and social identities;
- examine the roles students play in both perpetuating and working against patterns of inequality; and
- empower students to work toward societal transformation in and through their identities
I will incorporate these 5 key principles into the design of my artefact and conduct a conclusion on how my plans have materialised but also their weak points. I realise that my first attempt at creating this environment will not be perfect the first time round, so gathering student and staff feedback on it throughout the first pilot run will be key to its development.