3 Scene 3: In the Library
Linor David
MICHAEL: You know what I wish. I wish they would get rid of all these books and put in more couches. Now that would be helpful.
CAS: Don’t you think that would defeat the purpose of the library?
MICHAEL: Come on it’s basically a big meeting room, with little meeting rooms in it.
CAS: Well, we are ready to meet but where is everyone else?
SOHA: No clue. We’ve had this meeting planned for a week.
CAS: Do they know we are meeting in the library this time?
SOHA: It’s on the whatapp group.
(Elaine and Tracey walk in together.)
CAS: Nice of you to join us.
ELAINE: We had to get treats for the meeting.
TRACEY: Donuts. It takes a long time to walk to the library. Why is everything so far away?
Phone dings
MICHAEL: Elaine- please. Can you ask your mom not to call for the next hour?
TRACEY: Lay off her. She is all alone here.
CAS: Fine, but can we try not to be late? I have somewhere to be after this. And, this is my second time doing the course, I don’t want to spend another million years on it.
TRACEY: We can try. It was just 5 minutes though.
CAS: More like 10, but whatever.
ELAINE: She’s right Tracey. Cas, sorry for being late.
(pause)
SOHA: They’re right. Not she. Haven’t you ever of heard of being non-binary?
ELAINE: I’m sorry. I’m trying. I didn’t really know actually about being non binary before I came here. Really Cas- I’m sorry.
CAS: It’s ok. Can we get back to figuring this thing out?
MICHAEL: Yeah, we need a quick pow wow to figure out who is doing what.
CAS: Michael, it isn’t actually cool to say pow wow for a meeting. A pow wow is a specific First Nations ceremony and celebration, not us meeting in the library for our group project.
MICHAEL: You’re right. I hadn’t thought about it that way.
SOHA: Ok- first let’s see who filled in their part on the google doc. It’s empty? I don’t get it. I know I filled in my part.
MICHAEL: I work nights. So I have to find time to sleep. And come to school. And for soccer. It’s hard.
TRACEY: It’s hard for all of us! I have three kids, and a parent with dementia. At least you know your schedule in advance.
SOHA: But why is it empty? Who erased my part?
MICHAEL: Well, I opened up the link to start doing my part. It’s possible… maybe… that I erased it. It was a mistake though!
CAS: I’ve done that before. There is a way to get it back.
SOHA: It’s not a big deal, I wrote it somewhere else first anyways and then copied and pasted.
ELAINE: Okay..good. Let’s just fill it out right now.
SOHA: No- we aren’t filling this out until we talk about why no one filled it in. I work too, and take care of my family. It isn’t fair if only half the group does all the work. And what is the point of setting up a deadline if everyone just ignores it?
Instructions
Help this group resolve some of their conflicts and come to agreements on establishing ground rules. Try and use a collaborative conflict resolution style, starting with I statements. Practice using paraphrasing to show them you have heard and understood your other group members.
Discussion Questions
- There are different conflict management styles, some people tend to avoid, others tend to confront, others tend to compromise or collaborate. What conflict management styles do you see happening in this scene?
- There are three types of conflict, ego conflict when personalities clash, simple conflict when people disagree on an issue, and pseudo conflict when people think it is a conflict but there is actually a misunderstanding. Can you find examples of the different types?
- Have you ever been in a group that dealt with conflict? How was it resolved?
- How do you think this group should resolve their conflict?
Key Takeaways
- Conflict can be destructive if not managed well, but it can be productive too. It brings up important issues and viewpoints and can create opportunity for change and growth.
- Deal with conflict by listening to each other, having empathy, and avoiding using statements that are accusatory. Try and go back to any groundrules or agreements you already made about how the group will work.
- Dealing with conflict is a difficult skill to master. In school groups, students can get very worked up because their marks are at risk. Even if you feel like another person is really in the wrong, as a student you are always expected to uphold the code of conduct of the school. That conduct extends not only to what you say in person but also what you say to a group member online. Try to calm down your body before you respond to conflict. If your group is really having challenges consider bringing in the teacher to help resolve it.
