I just returned from the British Library’s “Writing Britain” exhibition. The exhibition is a celebration of the country’s literary achievements stretching back nearly a thousand years, and includes books like the oldest surviving edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The exhibition is broken down into sections based on literary themes, such as the …
Here We Are.
I step up to the ticketing counter and heave my duffel onto the scale. “You on the Heathrow flight?” the agent asks. I’m digging through my bag for my passport—flustered—so I only nod. He tags my duffel, then asks, “You from London?” “What? No, California born and raised.” I slide my passport across the counter. …
British Lingo
Before I arrived in London, just the thought of being anywhere near where Shakespeare once walked was exciting--and it certainly is. But it turns out that the culture of the Londoners is fascinating me just as much. I feel as though I'm walking through some kind of fairytale land (with real double-decker buses and red …
Exploring the Train Stations
Before the class started, I had some time to explore London by myself! I went to King's Cross Station and this is what I found!
London Calling
Going to London. It feels big. Like it should be in capital letters. I AM GOING TO LONDON. Maybe an explicative should be thrown in there for effect. You think people are going to be different, everything is going to be different. The minute you cross the ocean and hit land the air itself will …
GS 554 — Reimagining the Gendered Classics: Huck Finn
Here is a growing list of themes and questions that have arisen during our discussion of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Themes: The cultural image of the teacher/reformer as a heroic savior figure/miracle worker. Huckleberry Finn's growth as a result of loving relationships rather than instruction. The role of place in grounding identity …
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GS 554 — Reimagining the Gendered Classics: Little Women
Here is a growing list of themes and questions that have arisen during our discussion of Luisa May Alcott's Little Women. Themes: The gendered nature of toys and products targeted at children (American Girl dolls, Spiderman vs. Disney princess backpacks, etc.). The limits of subversive elements in literature. Questions: What is the relationship between expectations …
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Meganom
There is a mountain next to our hotel. It is called Meganom. It has stood there, towering over us as we went about our lessons, watching over us as we made our daily trips to the beach (to do our homework, naturally). Being CC students, there's no way we could have let Meganom go …
Gurzuf, Yalta, Sevastopol and More!
Our last Friday in Crimea, we students of Crimean politics and culture embarked on a four day road trip across the southern coast of the peninsula. In typical Colorado College fashion, we managed to see a remarkable amount in such a short period of time. So without further ado, here’s an account of our whirlwind …
GS 554 — Classrooms in Motion: Hip-Hop Based Education
Our discussion of Marc Lamont Hill's Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop Pedagogy and the Politics of Identity produced many themes and questions. Here are a few. Feel free to continue discussion by posting comments. Themes: Teachers being afraid. The importance of storytelling in cultivating meaningful relationships. The various levels of resistance (social, institutional, and …
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