Unfolding the Emerging Facets of the Self

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Course Details Assessments

Modules Resources
 Module 7.
Unfolding the
Emerging
Facets of the
Self

Your understanding of your inner self holds the meaning of your life Click Here to Start
Module 7. Unfolding the
Emerging Facets of the Self

Module Objectives
To explore the other facets of the Self (i.e.,
Political and Digital). The module also
intends to make students understand and
appreciate their responsibilities as citizens
of the country and the global/virtual
communities.
Module 7. Unfolding the
Emerging Facets of the Self
This module focuses on the spiritual
dimension of self. This broadly tackles the
different aspects of spirituality from existence,
relatedness or connections, and inner soul
Unit 1. The Political Self:
Developing Active Citizenship
This unit discusses the nature of politics,
elements of active citizenship, and how
these shape one’s political self. It will detail
how one can become activity involved in
political and communal affairs, and how
these are significant to the shaping of the
Self.
Click Here to Begin
Unit 2. The Digital Self:
Uncovering Digital
Citizenship
This Unit will explore the impact of
technology on our society; how its use
enables people to become digital
citizens, outlining responsible use of
technology, how it sustains
relationships and forge collaborations
with other people, and what kind of
digital identities are we forging for the
next generation.
UNIT 1. The Political Self: Developing
Active Citizenship
This unit discusses the nature of politics, elements
of active citizenship, and how these shape one’s
political self. It will detail how one can become
activity involved in political and communal affairs,
and how these are significant to the shaping of the
Self.
Intended learning outcomes

At the end of this Unit, students are expected to

demonstrate the following:

1. Explain and elaborate on the nature of active citizenship and how it relates to political self.
2. Analyse and synthesize how active citizenship relates to the concept of Self.
3. Assess and evaluate one’s level of active citizenship.
Diagnostics
 Learning Checkpoint
Do you AGREE or DISAGREE?
 As ordinary citizens, we have no political participation in
society.

 Our political identity is shaped by social experiences.

 Politics is associated with government.

Active citizenship is only practiced by social activists.

 We are all responsible for our country.

Unit 1. The Political Self:
Developing Active Citizenship

members of society, we are naturally obligated to

participate as social citizens in a political system. As
citizens, we become aware of our duties and
responsibilities that should empower us to participate in
state and political affairs. Politics refers to “the actions or
activities concerned with achieving and using power in a
country or society.” It is also defined as “the ways that
power is shared in an organization and the ways it is
affected by personal relationships between people who
work together.” Aristotle mentioned that “man is by
nature a political animal.” This is because man is a social
being and that they are naturally drawn to various
political associations in order to satisfy their social needs.
 Politics
Politics as imbibed by man implies several things.

• First, politics is concerned with power. We observe power inequalities in within our societies.
There are those whose position ranks high in the social hierarchy and thus, wields much power
compared to those in the lower class. The one who holds the power holds much influence.

• Second, politics is about contexts. The nature of politics and political systems is dependent on
the culture of the state. The characteristics of people, cultural traditions they observe, value
orientations, economics, education, religion, and other similar institutions shape the political
landscape of any country.
 Active citizenship
Active citizenship has been a popular topic for researches across
several disciplines. It includes “structured forms of engagement
with political processes and everyday forms of participation in
society”.

• Active citizenship is anchored on our cognitive and behavioral

engagement to participate in formal political activities.
•Active citizenship enables democracy. Democracy should not only
be thought of as a form of government; it is a communal system
that allows volitional freedom of citizens to make informed
choices that allows them to be heard.
•Active citizenship is a social construct. It fosters social
relatedness and belongingness.
Active citizenship

Most adolescents would say that “we do not have the power to inspire change” or that
“we are not heard so why should we speak up”. However, let us not forget that you are
the future leaders of our country. The advantage of youth is their zeal and optimism in
effecting change for the country. Youth participation should not be the exception, but
rather the norm. In politics where cynical attitudes dominate among older individuals,
youth participation provides a breath of fresh air in raising issues and concerns that
impact society in general.
 Active citizenship

Active citizenship is also associated with “sense of

community.” People, including adolescents, participate
in communal activities because it is their way of “giving
back”. The sense of community they feel with their
location also persuades adolescents to do something
for their respective communities, especially those
community groups considered to be a minority. Active
citizenship may facilitate ethnic pride and provide a
voice to the woes of their social group.
What are the benefits of engaging in active citizenship?
For the younger generation, it has significant impact on positive youth development.
Opportunities to participate in such activities can make adolescents aware of issues,
challenges, and concerns that plague communities and states, which may in turn lead to
advocacies for reforms. Engaging in such behaviors can also enhance efficacy and
competence of the young generation, as they are considered to be “future leaders” of
society. The millennial generation has several tools at their fingertips to initiate change
reforms, which poses a disadvantage to the older generation, given that these millennial
youths are technology-savvy. The participation of the adolescents to nation-building
activities enhances their value orientation and fosters integrity, compassion, and sense of
justice, which is crucial for the holistic development of present learners.
 The Self

The Self is a dynamic construct in that it is shaped by external forces and personal factors.
Active citizenship embraces one’s individuality through the choices a person make and
the behaviors they manifest. Early exposure to politics and political systems may augment
adolescent’s development of their self. It fosters critical thinking, formation of advocacies,
comprehension and understanding, and genuine concerns for the environment and
communities. Such exposure may lead to successful adaptation of a particular advocacy
and ensuring everyone benefits in the long run.
 The Self

Our political self is a result of various personal and environmental factors that impact the
individual. Our political identity doesn’t begin at the age of voting; together with active
citizenship, our awareness of community concerns may lead to optimal development of
strong, intelligent, and passionate community leaders and youth participants. Thus, there
is no such thing as a right time to start becoming involved; adolescent participation in
political activities can strengthen their standpoints, allowing them to be heard by the
general public, and ensuring a strong, stable state, shaped by a strong, stable citizenry. As
adolescence is a time of searching for identity and establishing a core Self, imbibing
active citizenship, becoming aware of issues pervading society, engaging in political
discourse, and other similar behaviors can shape the millennial generation to become
effective agents of change.
 Module 7. Unfolding the Emerging Facets of the Self
Unit 1. The Political Self: Developing Active Citizenship
Module Assessment
Check your workbook:
• Exercise No. 1 .0 Politics, Society, and You (pg. 150-152)
• Exercise No. 2.0 My Advocacy (pg. 153)

Assignment No. 15
Metacognitive Reading Report (pg. 154)
Readings:
• Kubal, T. J. (1998). The Presentation of Political Self: Cultural Resonance and the
Construction of Collective Action Frames. The Sociological Quarterly, 39(4), 539–
554.
• Audigie, F. (n.d.). Youth participation and active citizenship. 98-118. Retrieved
from http://pjp-eu.coe.int/documents/1017981/1667911/2.4.pdf/64ce8034-
440c-4ebc-b325-2fe3be0190f5
Module 7. Unfolding the
Emerging Facets of the Self
This module focuses on the spiritual
dimension of self. This broadly tackles the
different aspects of spirituality from existence,
relatedness or connections, and inner soul
Unit 1. The Political Self:
Developing Active Citizenship
This unit discusses the nature of politics,
elements of active citizenship, and how
these shape one’s political self. It will detail
how one can become activity involved in
political and communal affairs, and how
these are significant to the shaping of the
Self.
Click Here to Begin
Unit 2. The Digital Self:
Uncovering Digital
Citizenship
This Unit will explore the impact of
technology on our society; how its use
enables people to become digital
citizens, outlining responsible use of
technology, how it sustains
relationships and forge collaborations
with other people, and what kind of
digital identities are we forging for the
next generation.
UNIT 2. The Digital Self: Uncovering Digital
Citizenship
This Unit will explore the impact of technology on
our society; how its use enables people to become
digital citizens, outlining responsible use of
technology, how it sustains relationships and forge
collaborations with other people, and what kind of
digital identities are we forging for the next
generation.
Intended learning outcomes

At the end of this Unit, students are expected to

demonstrate the following:

1. Define and explain concepts of Digital Citizenship.

2. Cite specific instances of technology use.
3. Explain the importance of technology in their lives and how it impacts the Self.
Diagnostics
 Learning Checkpoint
Do you AGREE or DISAGREE?

 Everyone has access to technology.

 The millennial generation is known for their technological-

savviness.

 Technology is an inevitable aspect of life.

Technology and internet are one and the same.

 Technology has both positive and negative effects.

Unit 2. The Digital Self:
Uncovering Digital Citizenship

Imagine a day without technology. No televisions. No

radio. No computers. No internet. No cellular phones.
How do you think you will cope? Can you imagine a day
when you are not able to text someone, update your
social media, or watch your favorite TV show? Is it
possible? Most likely, you’re bound to say no, it’s
impossible, and you won’t survive without technology.
That is how pervasive technology is to our lives. The
millennial generation is considered digital natives
because they were born in an era of technology. Thus, it
is not surprising that even very young children indulge in
internet surfing and web applications; their minds seem
to be attuned to the intricacies of the use of technology
and most especially the internet.
 Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is anchored on three general principles: respecting oneself and others, educating
oneself and others, and protecting oneself and others. Technology is both a bane and a boon. On one
hand, our way of life has been uplifted due to the convenience that technology brings. Everything is
faster, access is made easier, and the outputs are enhanced. With the rapidly changing environments we
live in, people are likely to be engulfed within technology. Digital citizenship serves the purpose of
regulating human behavior in a highly-technological and digital world.

A major concern of this digital era is how technology shapes our self and identity. There is no doubt that
the beliefs, value orientation, and behavior of individuals, especially the millennial generation, are
heavily influenced by technology. One concept that is related to one’s digital self is online disinhibition. It
is defined as “the lack of restraint one feels when communicating online in comparison to
communicating in-person.”
 Digital Citizenship
Nowadays, however, people are more inclined to show their own
personalities via online. The internet becomes a multi-media venue
for showcasing our personal traits and qualities. The way we view
ourselves, our sense of self is expressed through the worldwide web.
Apart from social media, the use of certain internet-based
applications and mobile apps can be an indicator of the kind of person
we are and if the values and beliefs we uphold are also expressed in
our online behavior. Thus, technology and internet can be a basis of
evaluating our consistency of self; how we project ourselves in real-
life, face to face interactions can also be the same way we make that
projection on the internet. It would be interesting to assess if how we
see ourselves in physical settings is on the same page as our online
persona.
The permeating nature of technology has also influenced the various technological and online
behaviors we manifest. Within the concept of digital citizenship, there are nine (9) themes that
cover these behaviors, namely:

Digital Access Full electronic participation in society

Digital Commerce
Digital Communication
Digital Literacy
Digital Etiquette
Digital Law
Digital Rights and
Responsibilities
Digital Health and Wellness
Digital Security
Electronic buying and selling of goods.
Electronic exchange of information.
Process of teaching and learning technology and the use of technology.
Electronic standards of conduct or procedure.
electronic responsibility for actions and deeds, especially with ethics of
technology
Those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.
Physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.
electronic precautions to guarantee safety
 Technology
Suffice to say, technology is here to stay. We need to adapt to the
dynamic changes that technology will entail. For example, in the
course of work, companies and organizations require digital literacy
among applicants to ensure effectiveness in job performance.

Technology offers limitless opportunities; it is an inevitability that we

need to face. However, technology need not control our society nor
our lives. It should be complementary to human needs and behaviors.
Don’t let technology define you; you should define you.
Module 7. Unfolding the Emerging Facets of the Self
Unit 2. The Digital Self: Uncovering Digital Citizenship
Module Assessment
Check your workbook:
• Exercise No. 1 .0 My IT Persona (pg. 159-161)

Assignment No. 16
Metacognitive Reading Report (pg. 162)
Readings:
• Zhao, S. (2005). The Digital Self: Through the Looking Glass of Telecopresent
Others. Symbolic Interaction, 28(3), 387–405.
https://doi.org/10.1525/si.2005.28.3.387