This Discussion topic will once again focus on personal life situations and conflict. To participate effectively in the discussion, be sure to have read Chapter Four of the textbook.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
- Distinguish how to critique the behavior of others.
- Differentiate and remove barriers to communication.
Resources
- Textbook: Managing Conflict through Communication
- Video:
- Video:
- Almost any episode of the television show House, featuring a conversation between House and Cuddy, the hospital administrator, will demonstrate the difficulty of maintaining composure and using good conflict skills when the other person is not doing so.
Instructions
- Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
- Read Chapter Four in your textbook.
- Analyze the following case study.
- I was trying to teach a class when a student came in to remove some audiovisual equipment. He didnt explain why he was there. I had to ask him. I then asked him if it could wait until the end of the class. He said no. I said Okay, rather reluctantly. He left, and then came back about five minutes later. I said nothing. When he came back the third time (all the while making noise and making it difficult for me to continue the class discussion), I finally said (in a level voice), You are disturbing my class and I must ask you to stop coming in. This really bothers me. He replied, Im having a bad day. My female students thought the student should have initially apologized for the disruption, explaining his actions to begin with, and should have responded more adequately at the last. My male students said that I went nuclear on the student!
- Navigate to the Discussion page and respond to the following regarding the case study:
- What basic concerns or interests underlie each persons approach to this conflict situation?
- Which of the four communication options for dealing with conflicts are illustrated in this narrative?
- What communication behavior option is preferable in the above narrative?
- What changes in communication behavior by the participants would result in different outcomes?
- All discussions must:
- Be well developed and clearly address the specifics of the assignment.
- Use proper spelling, grammar and APA formatting.
- Be reminded: Your initial posting is due by the end of the fourth day of the module. Respond to at least two of your classmates postings by the end of the module.
- 5.1 Discussion: Jesus, Assertive second part
- .Was the Lord Jesus Christ assertive? It certainly appears that way from numerous passages in the Bible. Websters Dictionary notes that assertive is to be characterized by bold or confident statements and behavior. In our devotion, we find several scriptures that portray our Lord as an action Savior who took an active stand, but always in love and compassion.Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
- Identify greater spiritual knowledge of how assertiveness and confrontation can have positive effects and redeeming traits.
- Gain insight as how to take ownership of assertive traits with restorative results.
Resources
- Bible: English Standard Version
Background Information
The Apostle Paul commands: Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (I Corinthians 11:1). Writer Steven Compton stated: The depth of this imitation is described in a letter by Paul, who wrote, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God… (Galatians 2:20). For the Christian, self is put to death so the character of Christ can be developed in the individual. In another passage the Scripture speaks of Gods pre-determined purpose for the believer to become conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Therefore, the goal and orientation of the follower of Christ would be to strive toward an assertive, rather than a passive (or aggressive), life style as his behavioral norm.In reading Matthew 18:15-20:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Reflect on the scriptures in this section and decide where your actions fall in the scheme of assertiveness.
Instructions
- Navigate to the Discussion page and respond to the following:
- Can you reflect on an incident in which you needed to tell someone about taking a wrong turn, and the person refused to listen? Did you get witnesses, or dropped it? Why or why not?
- How do you view Jesus, assertive or passive? Why? Support with scripture.
- Make your initial post by the end of the week.
