Participatory Approaches to Facilitation

Description

Faculty

Modules

Format

FAQ

March 11th - April 28th

Course Faculty: Markos Perrakis, PhD

Effective facilitation is essential for creating conditions where transformative learning can emerge within groups, organizations, and communities. This course explores participatory approaches to facilitation that enhance collective intelligence and wisdom while honoring the diverse perspectives and experiences of participants. Students will develop competencies in designing and holding spaces for authentic dialogue, creative conflict, and collaborative meaning-making. The course examines how different facilitation methods serve varying contexts and purposes, from educational settings to organizational change to community development. Topics include: emergent design, power dynamics, cultural sensitivity, group development, psychological safety, and the role of the facilitator in transformative processes. Particular attention is given to the facilitator's own development and capacity to work with complexity, uncertainty, and liminal spaces. Students will gain practical experience through facilitation exercises while developing their personal philosophy and approach to participatory facilitation.

Course Modules

Module One

The Art of Holding Space: Foundations of Participatory Facilitation

The Evolution of Facilitation: From Control to Emergence
Presence and the Quality of Attention
Creating Container and Setting Context
The Dance of Structure and Flow
Facilitator as Cultural Architect

Module Two

Group Fields and Collective Intelligence

Understanding Group Dynamics and Development
Working with Energy and Engagement
Collective Intelligence and Wisdom
The Role of Ritual and Pattern
Field Theory and Group Consciousness

Module Three

Power, Culture, and Participation

Understanding Power Dynamics in Groups
Cultural Sensitivity and Intercultural Facilitation
Voice, Silence, and Deep Democracy
Privilege and Access in Participatory Processes
From Performance to Authentic Participation

Module Four

Design for Emergence and Transformation

Principles of Emergent Design
Working with Uncertainty and Not-Knowing
Creating Conditions for Transformation
The Architecture of Participatory Learning
Rhythm and Timing in Group Process

Module Five

The Facilitator's Inner Journey

Personal Development as Professional Development
Shadow Work and Self-Awareness
Emotional Intelligence and Regulation
Working with Triggers and Projection
Embodying Authentic Leadership

Module Six

Tools and Methods for Collective Wisdom

Dialogue and Deep Listening Practices
Creative Conflict and Generative Disagreement
Somatic Approaches to Group Work
Arts-Based Methods and Aesthetic Knowing
Digital Tools and Virtual Facilitation

Module Seven

Facilitation as Cultural Transformation

Building Communities of Practice
Facilitating in Times of Crisis and Complexity
The Commons and Collective Meaning-Making
Next Stage Facilitation and Cultural Evolution
Regenerative Practices for Long-term Impact

*Course modules are illustrative. Faculty build dynamic course content and class structure aligned with and beyond the listed modules.

Convening Faculty

Markos Perrakis

Markos Perrakis, PhD, is a development and process facilitator, psychologist, speaker, and founder of Fractality -EU training and counseling provider. For the last 20 years, he has been working with eclectic systemic appreciative approaches, participatory design methods, and Spiritual Intelligence worldwide.

Markos Perrakis provides training, supervision, and facilitation for professionals, HR experts, local communities, politicians, and NGOs, helping citizens express and transform themselves into a co-creative transition. He works with individuals who are mindful of environmental and social issues and helps them align their values with actions that create a positive impact on the world.

Markos Perrakis

Course Structure

Seven-week online course from March 11th, 2025 through April 28th, 2025.
Six, live, 75-minute Zoom sessions with faculty held Mondays at 10:00 am PT (Pacific Time) and recorded for participants who cannot join every session live. Note: There is no live class during Week One.
Reading resources, networking, and emergent community outcomes.
Content and collaboration via Meridian's social learning platform.

Course Schedule

Mar. 11|

5 PM

Course Platform Opens

Mar. 17|

10 AM

First Live Course Session

Mar. 24|

10 AM

Second Live Course Session

Mar. 31|

10 AM

Third Live Course Session

Apr. 7|

10 AM

Fourth Live Course Session

Apr. 14 – Apr. 20

No Course Sessions (Spring Break)

Apr. 21|

10 AM

Fifth Live Course Session

Apr. 28|

10 AM

Sixth Live Course Session

Course Fees

$250

- Live video classes
- Access to recordings on course platform
- Course platform community and written resources
- Participant launch of ongoing Community of Practice after the course

Accreditation

Meridian University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) - a higher education accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education. WASC is also the accreditor for Stanford University, UCLA, and the University of California at Berkeley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Meridian’s online courses are conducted via the University's own learning platform.

Our online courses promote community learning, through strong interactive engagement with fellow students and faculty as well as live video sessions with faculty.

You will need an email account, a high-speed internet connection, and access to a computer, iOS or Android device.

If you are planning to attend the course video calls live, you will need a webcam and microphone for your device. (Course video calls are conducted with participants video-enabled.)

Live 75 to 90-min video sessions with faculty and fellow students will be conducted throughout the course. Each week's live video call will be recorded and posted on the course platform.

Video presentations, readings, discussions and learning activities will be accessible asynchronously and may be completed on participants' own schedule. Course resources and recordings will remain available up to 30 days after the close of the course.

Full refunds are available until two (2) days before the course begins, by request via email.

You do not need to apply to a Meridian graduate degree program to take this online course. This course is one of Meridian’s open-enrollment courses

The course support team will be available to assist from start to finish. Please send your questions/requests/issues to ctl@meridianuniversity.edu

Convening faculty generally lead each live session. Contributing faculty typically contribute in one of the live course sessions. Course resources address the work of both convening and contributing faculty.

Meridian has institutional and federal financial aid options for our graduate degree programs. This open enrollment course does not have financial aid or payment plans available.