Explore Roberto Rivera's www.thegoodlifeorganization.com. Questions of Application: What do we do with the ideas that have come up over the course of the institute? How do we apply our understanding in our specific schools and classrooms? Useful Notions: Ascent and Immersion Borders Double Consciousness Tension Between Stereotype and "Reality" Post-Colonialism Call and Response Philosophical Questions: …
Continue reading "GS 554 — Coming of Age in America: Contemporary Issues (Continued)"
Our discussion today began with the following texts: In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason, and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). Themes: The lasting and growing impact of war on our youth and their experience. Questions: How can we foster a meaningful and nuanced understanding of issues related to war without relying on cliches …
Continue reading "GS 554 — Coming of Age in America: Contemporary Issues"
Before The Tempest, Grace and I decided to go to a cafe in Camden to have lunch and work until the production started. We were the most productive that either of us had been the entire trip and enjoyed the best hot chocolate so far. This positive experience was tainted, however, while we were walking …
Last night we saw A Comedy of Errors at the Roundhouse. It was our final show in London. It was the best show in my opinion but alas, I am a sucker for twins and slapstick comedy.The Dromios killed me. Really, I keeled over laughing a couple of times. Though the play was stellar, the …
Finding a way to balance work and experiencing London has proved to be a challenge. Its hard to enjoy London if you are constantly feeling guilty for not reading, writing, rereading and rewriting. Before this class though, my Aunt who lives in London bought me The London Coffee Guide, which rates the best coffee places …
Being at Hampton Court was like traveling through time to an era when one-third of the population lived in poverty, the average lifespan was thirty-five years, there were no drains, sewers, and rubbish was thrown into the streets, and when beheading your wives was an acceptable practice. Walking into the same rooms the likes of …
Today a fellow student ended their Skype conversation with their boyfriend by saying, “Alright, I’m gonna hang up now.” I was struck by the phrase, which is already an anachronism in regards to most modes of digital communication. We’ve moved beyond hanging phones up when we’re done with them. At the time I joked that …
Our class discussion drew on our reading of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Thomas King's Truth & Bright Water, and the 1998 film Smoke Signals. Themes: Borders as human constructions. Belonging as something that necessitates that there are those who don't belong. Varying definitions of success. Questions: How can humor …
Continue reading "GS 554 — Elaborating on Native American Perspectives"
It isn't difficult to wax poetic about England. In fact, it's disturbingly easy. Everywhere you turn, England presents you with a monolith of feeling and thought. We aren't here for very long, but everyday has been crammed with important sites one after the other. It's overwhelming, to tell you the truth. I've been joking with …