COMMITTEES OF CORRESPONDENCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND SOCIALISM

 

SOCIALIST EDUCATION PROJECT

 

“What is a Module and How Can We Use It?”

 

 

 

Defining a Module

 

            The Socialist Education Project (SEP) is in the process of preparing a series of modules on a variety of subjects. These modules will be available on the SEP webpage so that they can be readily made available to activists interested in organizing study groups in their communities. A module is a collection of reading and discussion materials designed to provide information to stimulate discussion on a topic of concern to progressives. A module is basically an educational unit of materials, or a course, on a subject for study. SEP modules will be prepared over the next several months on subjects as varied as  Neoliberal Globalization (already available on this website); U.S. Foreign Policy; Class, Race, and Gender;  Marxist Theory in the 21st Century; the Political Economy of Racism; Immigration and the Global Economy; and Electoral Politics and Social Change. Each module will be inspired by a Socialist vision.

 

Components of a Module

 

            A module begins with a definition of the subject matter of the readings and discussion that will occupy participants over a few or several weeks of meetings. As with any intellectual inquiry, the definition of the subject of the unit might change over time. Participants may see problems with the initial definition of the problem or may develop new questions about the general subject as discussion unfolds. But, at the outset, a study group should have a rough idea of the subject matter they will be examining over a period of time. 

 

            A module usually includes some reading materials. For purposes of SEP modules, a series of short interconnected articles on the subject of the module will be made available on the website to be downloaded. A group may choose to read and discuss some or all of the materials provided. Or the group might suggest alternative readings to those on the website. The SEP website module is designed to be suggestive and partial not definitive. Most modules will have a list of suggestions for future reading. But a module should include some useful readings to give intellectual guidance to discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            A module usually includes a list of topics or questions for discussion. The SEP readings end with a series of important questions that the study group might want to discuss during their meetings. Questions can be general about the topic of the module and specific taken from individual readings. Questions that encourage debate about competing points of view are particularly useful for study group discussions.

 

            Questions that modules should address may involve theory, facts and concrete experiences, and what meanings the theory and the facts have for practical political work. In general, SEP philosophy is motivated by a belief that popular education should be designed to help students better understand the world in order to change it.

 

 Doing a Socialist Education Project Module

 

            When a group of activists decides to organize a study group, they usually begin with some list of problems, or themes, or issues they want to learn about through reading and discussion. These initial concerns may be mostly impulses or rigorously defined subjects for study.

 

            Members of the group can go to various sources, such as the SEP website, to identify a body of materials (readings, questions, suggestions for additional readings etc.) for study. If an SEP module fits, participants can download the materials from the website.

 

            Then the group, or selected coordinators, can decide which of the materials the group should read. They may choose to add additional materials as well. Then a schedule of class periods should be mapped out including when individual items will be read for discussion. Perhaps study group participants will decide to read one article per class period, planning on using the article as the basis for discussion. (It is important for study groups to plan on modest quantities of reading so that every participant will be prepared for the classes when the readings will be discussed.

 

            For purposes of discussion, it is often useful to have an assigned discussion “leader;” someone who will bring in questions and be responsible for keeping conversations going. One common practice is to rotate discussion leader assignments so that during each class a different person is initiating discussion. Discussion leaders may choose to use questions provided in the modular materials and/or add additional questions about the readings and the topic in general.

 

 

 

 

 

 

            At the end of the module, one person should volunteer to write a short summary of the module; the issues discussed, the points of agreement and disagreement, and relevant conclusions about theory and practice. These summaries should be made available to group participants and a copy sent to the SEP as well. The summary could include suggestions for revisions of the module materials on the website.

 

            Study group participants can then identify another module for study. It could be taken from the SEP website or participants can create their own. Finally, groups can request that the SEP collective  prepare additional modules on subjects of interest.

 

Conclusion

 

            The SEP was created to stimulate dialogue on issues of theoretical and practical importance for progressives. The modular approach described above is nothing more than a recommendation that interested participants define what they want to study, identify a series of short accessible readings to stimulate thought and discussion, and organize themselves into meaningful discussion sessions.