Technological University of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Code: GE[C]1: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Course Description:
This course is intended to facilitate the exploration of the issues and concerns regarding self and identity
to arrive at a better understanding of one's self. It strives to meet this goal by stressing the integration of the
personal with the academic— contextualizing matters discussed in the classroom and in the everyday experiences
of students—making for better learning, generating a new appreciation for the learning process, and developing
a more critical and reflective attitude while enabling them to manage and improve their selves to attain a better
quality of life.

WEE HOUR TOPIC METHODOLOGY EVALUATION

K S & STRATEGY TOOLS
1 3 Orientation & Introduction
2 3 Oral report topic distribution, My Life
Exploring Oneself Journey
(Timeline)
1. The Self from various Perspectives
3-4 6 A. Philosophy Oral FLA 1: Living
 Socrates, Plato, Augustine, Descarte, Locke, Hume, Kant, Presentation with
Freud, Nietszche, Ryle, Churchland, Merleau – Ponty, Alain and discussion Philosophy
de Boton. (Critical
Answer the question: Who are you? Essay)
5 3 B. Sociology
 The self as a product of modern society among other
construction, The Social Self
C. Anthropology
 The Self embedded in culture, Cultural Relativity in
relation with knowing oneself
6 3 D. Psychology
 The self as a cognitive construction:
 William James and the Me – Self & I-Self; Global vs
differentiated models; Real and Ideal self-concepts;
Multiple vs. Unified selves; True vs. False Self
 The Self as Proactive and Agentic
7 3 E. The Self in Western and Oriental/ Eastern Thoughts
 Individualistic vs. Collective Self Differentiate
 The Social Construction of the Self in Western thought the Eastern and
 The Self as embedded in relationships and through western view of
spiritual development in Confucian thought Self

8 3 EXAMINATION
2. Unpacking The Self Oral FLA 2: Self-
A. The Physical Self: The self as impacted by the body. Presentation Manual
9- 6  The impact of culture on body image and self-esteem: The and discussion (Multi-
10 importance of beauty. dimensional
B. The Sexual Self Self)
 Development of Secondary sex characteristics and the
human reproductive system.
 Discussing the erogenous zones
 Understanding the human sexual response. The basic
biology of sexual behavior; understanding the chemistry of
lust, love and attachment.
 The Psychological aspect: What turns people on: the
phases of sexual response.
 The diversity of sexual behavior, solitary, heterosexual,
homosexual, bisexual, and transsexual
 Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/ AIDS
 Technological University of the Philippines
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

 Methods of contraception (natural and artificial)

C. The Material/ Economic Self:
 I shop, therefore I Am: I have, therefore I am?
 Shaping the way we see ourselves: The role of consumer
culture on our sense of self and identity
D. The Spiritual Self
11- 6  The practice of religion: belief in supernatural being and
12 power.
 Self in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc
 The concept of Dungan – spirit or soul
 Finding and creating meaning
- Three ways of discovering meaning in life
E. The Political Self
13 3  Developing a Filipino Identity: Values, Traits, Community Group Activity:
and Institutional factors I, as a Filipino
 Establishing a democratic culture (The extension
F. The Digital Self of self)
 Self and other in cyberspace. I, me, myself and my user ID
online identity
 Selective self-presentation and impression management
 Impact of online Interactions on the Self
 Boundaries of the self-online: private vs public; personal/
individual vs. social identity online; gender and sexuality
online

14 3 FILM DISCUSSION:
FLA 3: Film Analysis
(Life of Pi, Thelma and Louise, Little Miss Sunshine)

3. Managing and Caring for the Self

A. Learning to be a better student Oral FLA 4:
15 3  What happens during learning? Brain and behavior Presentation Creating ‘Self’
changes. and discussion
 Metacognition and study strategies
 Managing your own learning: self regulated learning
B. Setting goals for success
 The importance of goals for success
 Bandura’s Self efficacy, Dweck’s Mindset (growth vs fixed)
16 3  Locke’s goal setting theory
C. Taking charge of one’s health
 Stressors and responses; Sources of coping and strength
 Stress and Filipinos: The social and cultural dimensions of
stress
17 3  Taking care of the self: The need for self-care and
compassion.
18 3 EXAMINATION
 Technological University of the Philippines
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

FLEXIBLE LEARNING ACTIVITIES (FLAs)

FLA #1 : Critical Essay

Based on the learning’s and readings you gain about philosophy. Explain what philosophy you embody. Justify.
1 page, standard format Arial, 12, 1 inch, 1.25 spacing, short bond paper
Deadline: Our class meeting on the first week of September
FLA #2 : Self- Manual
Make a written manual that explains how you see your physical self, sexual self, economic self, spiritual self,
political self, digital self. Your explanations should reflect the concepts and ideas discussed on the ‘Unpacking the
Self’ topics.
3 pages minimum, standard format Arial, 12, 1 inch, 1.25 spacing, short bond paper
Deadline: Our class meeting on the first week of October
FLA # 3: Film Analysis
Watch a film about self.
Format: https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/Critical_Analysis_Template30565.pdf
Click the link.
3 pages minimum, standard format Arial, 12, 1 inch, 1.25 spacing, short bond paper
Deadline: Our class meeting on the first week of November
FLA #4: Reflective Essay: Creating Self
After knowing the content of this course, reflect on how you want to see yourself, become more authentic and
to create the self/life that you want.
1 or 2 – page, standard format Arial, 12, 1 inch, 1.25 spacing, short bond paper
Deadline: Our class meeting on the last week of November

Grading System:
Oral report and group discussion – 20%
Written Examinations: – 40%
FLA – 40%

Course Requirements:
Attendance & Participation
4 FLA
Midterm and Final Examinations
Oral Presentation with Written Report including its references (APA format)

Ms. Vanessa V. Delbo

delbo.vv@pnu.edu.ph

Reference:

Commission on Higher Education. (2017) Understanding the Self. Retrieved from https://ched.gov.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2017/10/Understanding-the-Self.pdf
Technological University of the Philippines
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Technological University of the Philippines
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS