[SSC] Meeting on 10th September 2011

Fri Sep 9 14:20:35 UTC 2011

This is nicely written and accessible, Mike. As you state - it extends
what we have and that ongoing elaboration is important.

I think that it raises some key points that might be
developed/discussed.

1.       You highlight that the SSC is an autonomous form of higher
education, and that it will be managed on democratic, non-hierarchical
principles. However, several of us work in HE and will come with
pre-defined views of what HE is, of how it might be managed, and we have
power that comes from our intellectual grounding/positions in formal HE
- as you note, lecturers will be teaching in the SSC. We need to be wary
of this when engaging with those who do not work or live in HE but who
will be helping running or managing or teaching or making decisions. I
think that this will emerge over time, but it needs to be explicitly
recognized. There is power invested throughout our relationships, and
those friendships/working patterns that we take from HE into the SSC.

2.       As a result, I do not believe that the SSC is solely about the
academic content/curriculum - it is also about our relationships and how
we create an alternative over time. This might take periods of
negotiation about how we work together.

3.       The consensus event highlighted for me that:

a.    Consensus decision-making is not neutral - there exists within the
processes/structures the ability to close-down conversations or
opinions, or not to respect differences;

b.    Equally, some of us have worked together or developed friendships
over periods of time - the politics of these friendships will affect
decision-making, and we need to work hard to recognise and guard against
that;

c.    The underpinning theoretical/organising principles have been
developed from a specific intellectual position - one that happens to
align with my own, but I wonder how this will impact the SSC's direction
and politics, and what we might do to recognise other positions,
including in our publicity?

4.       Do we have a "policy" on writing about the SSC? So far the bulk
of writing has been done by Joss and Mike for very understandable
reasons. But as we move forward, do we have a position on this - can
anyone of us write about the Centre, as if s/he represents the Centre?
Or do we need guidelines? I have been reticent about saying anything
other than naming the fact that the SSC exists. Again if we are to be
non-hierarchical then some form of clarification should be negotiated.

5.       The curriculum - I would like to discuss this at some point, as
I am wondering whether we have to mirror traditional HE or whether there
is space for students to negotiate projects rather than courses of
study? I am interested in alternative forms of higher learning, as well
as the SSC being an alternative form of HE.

Have fun tomorrow. I will miss you all.

In solidarity.

Richard.

From: ssc-bounces at lists.aktivix.org
[mailto:ssc-bounces at lists.aktivix.org] On Behalf Of Michael Neary
Sent: 07 September 2011 15:52
To: joss at josswinn.org; ssc at lists.aktivix.org
Subject: Re: [SSC] Meeting on 10th September 2011

Dear All,

I have attached a short article on the SSC, written by me, that is due
to be posted soon on the Open Democracy web site :
http://opendemocracy.net. 

You will see that the piece is a further elaboration of what is already
on the SSC website stating our main purposes.

I thought that we might use this paper to frame a general discussion
about the SSC at the meeting on Saturday, before getting on with the
rest of the agenda, outlined in email below.

I am very much looking forward to seeing all of you who are able to
come. I currently have a list of 14 possible and confirmed attenders.

Best wishes,

Mike

________________________________

From: nearymichael at hotmail.com
To: joss at josswinn.org; ssc at lists.aktivix.org
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:14:10 +0000
Subject: Re: [SSC] Meeting on 10th September 2011

	Dear SSCers,

	For all who are are able to attend the forthcoming session of
the Social Science Centre on Saturday, the 10th of September:

	The event will start at 10am and finish no later than 4 pm.
Please bring your own lunch, snacks and drinks. There is a kitchen where
we can make tea/coffee.

	The suggested agenda for the day will be organised around the
following issues:

	Curriculum, including Pedagogy 

	Quality and Peer Review 

	Areas of responsibility: work groups 

	Recruiting students 

	Power and consensus decision making within the SSC

	An important part of the day will be to find ways to include
colleagues who are not able to attend in these discussions. This will be
the first session of what we hope will be a monthly event, so there will
be plenty of opportunities for all to be involved.

	 The venue is The Improvement Centre, Mint Lane, Lincoln, LN1
1UD. See Map  - http://alturl.com/usnub <http://alturl.com/usnub> .

	I would be very grateful if those who are coming can confirm
their attendance.

	I am very much looking forward to working with you 

	Best wishes

	Mike

From: joss at josswinn.org
> Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 07:16:11 +0100
> To: ssc at lists.aktivix.org
> Subject: [SSC] Update on membership
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> I just thought you would be interested to know that since we opened up
the SSC to formal membership enrolment, we now have 26 confirmed
members, 18 of whom are 'Academic members' and eight Associate Academic
members. 
> 
> If you have enrolled as a member and wish to be listed on the website
http://socialsciencecentre.org.uk/members/ please send a short
biographical statement to info at socialsciencecentre.org.uk
> 
> See you on the 10th September for our next meeting. Location/time to
be confirmed, but expect a one day meeting in central Lincoln. As it's
on a Saturday, I don't think Mint Lane will be available to us but there
are other similar venues we will investigate.
> 
> Joss
> _______________________________________________
> SSC mailing list
> SSC at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/ssc

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