UNDERTANDING THE SELF

COURSE DESCRIPTION
 
The course deals with the nature of identity, as well as the factors and forces that affect the development
and maintenance of personality identity.
 
The directive to Know Oneself has inspired countless and varied ways to comply. Among the questions that
everyone has had to grapple with at one time or other is “Who am I?” At no other period is this question asked
more urgently than in adolescence – traditionally believed to be a time of vulnerability and great possibilities.
Issues of self and identity are among the most critical for the young.

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
experience 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.

The course is divided into three major parts: The first seeks to understand the construct of the self from
various disciplinal perspectives: philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology – as well as the more
traditional division between the East and West – each seeking to provide answers to the difficult but essential
question of “What is the self?” And raising, among others, the question: “Is there even such a construct as the
self?”

The second part explores some of the various aspects that make up the self, such as the biological and
material up to and including the more recent Digital Self. The third and the final part identifies three areas of
concern for young students: learning, goal setting, and managing stress. It also provides for the more practical
application of the concepts discussed in this course and enables them the hands-on experience of developing
self- help plans for self-regulated learning, goal setting, and self care.
This course includes the mandatory topics on Family Planning and Population Education.

COURSE OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

1. Discuss the different representations and conceptualizations of the self from the various disciplinal
perspectives
2. Compare and contrast how the self has been represented across different disciplines and
perspectives
3. Examine the different influences, factors, and forces that shape the self
4. Demonstrate critical and reflective thought in analyzing the development of one’s self and identity by
developing a theory of the self

UNPACKING THE SELF

5. Explore the different aspects of self and identity
6. Demonstrate critical, reflective thought in integrating the various aspects of self and identity
7. Identify the different forces and institutions that impact the development of various aspects of self and
identity
8. Examine one’s self against the different aspects of self-discussed in class

MANAGING AND CARING FOR THE SELF

9. Understand the theoretical underpinnings for how to manage and care for different aspects of the self
10. Acquire and hone new skills and learnings for better managing of one’s self and behaviors
11. Apply these new skills to one’s self and functioning for a better quality of life

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

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 A combination of readings, class discussions, writing and group presentations, the students are expected to
formulate an understanding of the concept of the self in the philosophical perspective. Moreover, students are
also expected to submit an essay, collage and a portfolio or journal about one’s self.

MODULE 1

THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE

Module Introduction:

DAY 1
LESSON NO. LESSON 1
LESSON TITLE PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
DURATION/HOURS 3 HOURS

Specific Learning During the students’ engagements, they will be able to:
Outcomes:
LO1. Explain how students understand one's self.
LO2. Discuss the different representations and conceptualizations of the self from
the philosophical perspectives.

TEACHING LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Engaging Activity No. 1: I am and I am not

Give the students time to answer this activity. After the allotted time, let them share it with the class and
ask them to listen to their classmates. When everyone is finished sharing, process the said activity.

Processing Questions:

1. How do you find the activity?

2. Is it easy to list and write the characteristics you believe you are?
3. Is it easy to list and write the characteristics you believe you are not?

Note: Try to connect this activity to the next one by summarizing it.

Engaging Activity No. 2: Metaphor

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 Processing Questions:

1. What did you feel during the activity?

2. What do you think is needed to accomplish the activity?
3. Can the activity be considered a representation of the self? If yes, how? If no, why not?

Note: Explain further and summarize this activity.

Engaging Activity No. 3: Class discussion

Discuss the perspectives of the different philosophers. You may use whatever graphic organizers you
want to make the class more lively and engaging.

Learning Guide Mapping:

1. What is the self in the context of philosophy?

2. What are the definitions of self that various philosophers offer?
3, What philosophical framing would you consider the best to describe yourself?

Note: To check if the students have learned something from the different philosophers, introduce
the next activity.

Engaging Activity No. 4: PPB (Prose on Philosopher’s View) on Human Nature

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 Note: Review the different vies of the philosophers and connect the interpretation of the students
through the prose they have written. Recapitulate the whole topic before giving the quiz.

The philosophy of self is the study of the many conditions of identity that make one
SYNTHESIS subject of experience distinct from other experiences. The self is sometimes understood
as a unified being essentially connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency. This
content helps the students to understand and explore the self using the philosophical
framework. It conducts a reflective thought in interpreting the development of one’s self in
the context of philosophy.

 Essay on “How do I understand myself?

ASSESSMENTS

Rubrics for Essay

 Group presentation

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 Group Presentation Rubric

 Three things I learned about myself from this topic (the same rubrics with essay)
 Quiz

 My Slogan
ASSIGNMENTS

 Build a community through a collage

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 Rubrics on Collage

 Make a portfolio or journal about yourself

Portfolio Rubrics

Note: The portfolio will be the course requirement for the whole class. It will start with the
philosophical perspective and will end until the last topic of the course.

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 Aldama, P. (2018). The contemporary world. 856 Nicanor Reyes, Sr. Street Recto
Avenue Manila
Philippines: Rex Bookstore.
Claudio, L. & Abinales P. (2018). The contemporary world 839 EDSA, South Triangle,
RESOURCES: Quezon City:
C&E Publishing.
Globalization. (2019). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization
San Juan, D. (2018). Journeys through our contemporary world. 1253 G. Araneta Avenue
cor. Ma.
Clara Street, Talayan, Quezon City: Vibal Group.

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Verified and validated by: Approved by:

Instructor Program Chair Dean, College of

Vice President for
Academic Services

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