Recently, it has been recognized that students of George Mason University Korea are having a new phobia, teamwork-phobia. Some students have reported experiencing this phobia when they are required to do teamwork as part of the course activities. “Teamwork-phobia” is a phobia or reluctance that students feel when assigned teamwork activities and assignments. It has been causing a problem in the Mason Korea environment and was brought up to the surface by students.
Classes at George Mason University Korea have both individual and group-oriented activities for students to conduct. Even though there are some differences between the professors, team activities or assignments are seriously considered as an imperative part of the courses offered at Mason Korea. The university believes that it should be required for students to do teamwork in order to learn basic social skills and working skills that are needed for their future careers. However, the original purpose seems to be disturbed by the problematic issue rendered by student’s fear in working in teams.
“I am having a hard time doing any teamwork in and out of classes. I think the reason is that it is so difficult to gather the teammates in the first place and it is even a pain to do something ‘together’ with people of all different characteristics,” stated an anonymous interviewee. Another student who wanted to remain anonymous also expressed distress, “To be honest, it is not teamwork anymore. We just divide the work and get it done. That is all."
Teamwork-phobia looks like it is undermining one of the goals and prestigious values of George Mason University Korea, which is to support its students to become a global leader with cooperative skills. Dr. Roland Wilson, a professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, worries about the seriousness of teamwork-phobia. “The whole point of teamwork is for students to ‘share’ each other’s ideas and thoughts during the work that is given. However, nowadays students are too focused on just getting the things done. With that, there is no way students can become scholars and survive out there in the society.”
Youngseo Park | Reporter
ypark26@masonlive.gmu.edu
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