School Seminars
We have a thing called Advisory in our school system, and this year, instead of doing the "character building" stuff that is so repetitive and condescending, the principal wants the staff to come up with seminar topics on which we are passionate to teach a little one-shot mini-seminar. I'm so terribly excited about this that I immediately wrote up, like, eight proposals.
History, origin, and use of Braille
This seminar would include a short reading with the origin and uses of Braille as well as an explanation of the structure, various types and writing/reading methods. Students will receive a Braille "cheat sheet" of the alphabet and abbreviations, a notecard with their name punched in Grade One Braille (if name is submitted to ALF at least one day prior to the seminar, otherwise afterwards), and will have the opportunity to write a short sentence (please come prepared!) on either the Braillewriter or with a slate and stylus (time permitting).
Sign Language (ASL)
A short history of the development of ASL in the US and its route to acceptance as a distinct and complete language with a unique and specific grammar. Students will read a short article on ASL as a distinct language and as a key component of Deaf Culture and community and discuss language as a thought-creating and community-unification force. Students should arrive with five words and one sentence for which they want to learn the signs and will receive alphabet cards for the American and British alphabets, as well as a list of recommended sign language dictionaries, texts, and available classes.
Fanfiction--A Route to Creativity and Interactive Participation in Entertainment Media
Origins of media fanfic, conventions in the form, where to find fanfic, who is Mary Sue? where to post fanfic, where to find a beta-reader, the importance of a beta-reader and of putting out the best work you can at the time. Students will read an article by Henry Jenkins, the leading sociologist researching fandom, about fanfic as an outgrowth of oral tradition and as an expression of the age-old societal ownership of popular legend and myth.
Knitting--A Basic Intro
How to cast on, knit, and purl (the only 2 stitches). With these skills, one can make scarves, sweaters, and any number of other items. Students must arrive with a pair of knitting needles size 6, 7, or 8. Yarn will be provided, as will a basic how-to sheet will a basic how-to sheet. A short reading on the importance of yarn and hand-crafts in history and as a relaxation method will be discussed while knitting.
Controlling Women Historically through Clothing and Modesty
This seminar will include a history of the corset and the strictures that European culture placed on women's decency and sexuality by controlling "modesty" and acceptable dress. The article to be shared will include this information, as well as the clothing and body-shaping practices of non-European cultures that were aimed at controlling or restricting women. Historical costumes will be shown and students will wear and model them as time permits.
College registration and language
This seminar will briefly cover terms needed to navigate university and registration (semester hour, credit hours, major, minor, general education classes, proficiency credit, undergraduate, etc.). Students will then, using real college catalogs and course offering books, make a mock 4-year plan which would let them graduate with a designated major and minor and all needed credits for the university, college, and areas of study.
[Entire lesson already created. File attached. Many copies will be needed and made; Fitz has the original copies I made for this.]
Film Studies
Students will watch a specific film before the seminar. During the seminar, we will re-watch designated portions of the film to look at the use of cinematic and acting techniques that add layers and detail to the film: how the choices used by the director and actors, especially in the background. This kind of close viewing, closely related to close reading, adds perspective and detail to one's enjoyment of movie watching.
Witchcraft as a Social Control in Medieval and Renaissance Europe collaboration w/ former dept. chair (Based heavily in the seminars from the Newberry Library on the same topics)
Students will examine the ways that witch trials of 15th & 16th century Europe impacted treatment of and expectations on women and how these constraints were reflected in literature. After discussing the criteria and social constructs to examine the "witchy women" in Shakespeare and how these casual comments demonstrate an endemic presence of threat, fear, and control.
History, origin, and use of Braille
This seminar would include a short reading with the origin and uses of Braille as well as an explanation of the structure, various types and writing/reading methods. Students will receive a Braille "cheat sheet" of the alphabet and abbreviations, a notecard with their name punched in Grade One Braille (if name is submitted to ALF at least one day prior to the seminar, otherwise afterwards), and will have the opportunity to write a short sentence (please come prepared!) on either the Braillewriter or with a slate and stylus (time permitting).
Sign Language (ASL)
A short history of the development of ASL in the US and its route to acceptance as a distinct and complete language with a unique and specific grammar. Students will read a short article on ASL as a distinct language and as a key component of Deaf Culture and community and discuss language as a thought-creating and community-unification force. Students should arrive with five words and one sentence for which they want to learn the signs and will receive alphabet cards for the American and British alphabets, as well as a list of recommended sign language dictionaries, texts, and available classes.
Fanfiction--A Route to Creativity and Interactive Participation in Entertainment Media
Origins of media fanfic, conventions in the form, where to find fanfic, who is Mary Sue? where to post fanfic, where to find a beta-reader, the importance of a beta-reader and of putting out the best work you can at the time. Students will read an article by Henry Jenkins, the leading sociologist researching fandom, about fanfic as an outgrowth of oral tradition and as an expression of the age-old societal ownership of popular legend and myth.
Knitting--A Basic Intro
How to cast on, knit, and purl (the only 2 stitches). With these skills, one can make scarves, sweaters, and any number of other items. Students must arrive with a pair of knitting needles size 6, 7, or 8. Yarn will be provided, as will a basic how-to sheet will a basic how-to sheet. A short reading on the importance of yarn and hand-crafts in history and as a relaxation method will be discussed while knitting.
Controlling Women Historically through Clothing and Modesty
This seminar will include a history of the corset and the strictures that European culture placed on women's decency and sexuality by controlling "modesty" and acceptable dress. The article to be shared will include this information, as well as the clothing and body-shaping practices of non-European cultures that were aimed at controlling or restricting women. Historical costumes will be shown and students will wear and model them as time permits.
College registration and language
This seminar will briefly cover terms needed to navigate university and registration (semester hour, credit hours, major, minor, general education classes, proficiency credit, undergraduate, etc.). Students will then, using real college catalogs and course offering books, make a mock 4-year plan which would let them graduate with a designated major and minor and all needed credits for the university, college, and areas of study.
[Entire lesson already created. File attached. Many copies will be needed and made; Fitz has the original copies I made for this.]
Film Studies
Students will watch a specific film before the seminar. During the seminar, we will re-watch designated portions of the film to look at the use of cinematic and acting techniques that add layers and detail to the film: how the choices used by the director and actors, especially in the background. This kind of close viewing, closely related to close reading, adds perspective and detail to one's enjoyment of movie watching.
Witchcraft as a Social Control in Medieval and Renaissance Europe collaboration w/ former dept. chair (Based heavily in the seminars from the Newberry Library on the same topics)
Students will examine the ways that witch trials of 15th & 16th century Europe impacted treatment of and expectations on women and how these constraints were reflected in literature. After discussing the criteria and social constructs to examine the "witchy women" in Shakespeare and how these casual comments demonstrate an endemic presence of threat, fear, and control.