Potential
Programming & Design
Enrollment is now active. Feel free to email / tweet / +1 / blog or repost this url so we can get some more signups.
No location has been set but we have options. Before class is officially nailed down to dates I would like to have a meet up with all interested students where we can talk about locations and ideas about what people are looking for in this class.
This is an experimental course designed to cover all aspects of web design and development in one program. The goal is to be project orientated and quickly move from basics into advanced topics like programming and interface design.
The goal is to have classes every other Saturday (dates not finalized) for three hours. Then two to three hours of "take home" work. This course should be about six hours a week.
It is important to have students that understand how to use a computer (how to get pictures off their camera, how to “google” things, how to check their bank statements online, how to install software) but you do not need to have any formal training to take this class. We will be starting at the bottom.
Traditional Artisans: Preserving the Folk School Education
Apprenticeship once offered an individual the opportunity to learn a craft from masters of that craft. Nowadays, apprenticeship is difficult to come by, which is precisely why this workshop/class/school/folk festival is being created. The purpose of this workshop/class/school/folk festival is to bring together the skills of old to pass them on to others in an effort to preserve the beauty of not only the craft but the culture of the craft. If you are interested in traditional skills/crafts, we welcome you to join this workshop. When enough interest is generated, we will begin offering opportunities to learn the following skills and begin planning our own Folk Festival - complete with an evening barn dance!?!:
Spoon/Knife Carving
A Spoonful of Creativity: Learn to Carve a Wooden Spoon and/or Cheese Knife
October 30, 2011; 12-5ish (material fee ~$30, beginners and experienced carvers are welcome)
Class size will be ~10 apprentices/professional instructor with additional craftspeople available to assist. Bring a high quality, sharp knife (Mora Knifes are great!)
Many folk traditions include the carving of beautiful spoons for use at home and as treasured gifts. The purpose of this class is to pass on that tradition by sharing the joy of learning traditional knife strokes and carving techniques to carve your own beautiful, durable and useable wooden spoon and/or butter/cheese knife! This class will begin with a brief presentation on spoons from across the world while you prepare to carve a useable spoon and/or knife. While you carve, the instructor will share mesmerizing folk tales and discuss woodcarving topics such as sharpening, decorating, finishing and design techniques. Feel free to bring your new and old wooden spoons to share. We will have some tools for student use and additional spoon blanks for sale.
Fiction Writer's Workshop
This is a bi-weekly fiction writer's workshop that will, for the most part, consist of reading the work of peers outside of class and providing feedback in a traditional workshop format. Anyone participating should be willing to read outside of class and also have be an active writer of literary fiction who can bring pieces to class as part of workshop.
Please submit a short writing sample before registering.
Making Headlines, Making Change: Media Work for Social Justice Activists
Tired of grossly inaccurate coverage, or no coverage at all, of your social justice organization in the mainstream media? Then this course is for you.
This interactive educational experience will guide you through the steps of creating an engaging media strategy that maximizes the chance of accurate press coverage for your organization or action. Our first class session will focus on the question- "What is the media and how does it work?," revealing the hidden workings of the corporate media machine. From there, we will look at case studies of coverage of social justice activism, discuss the role of media work to support your organization's mission, and identify your own goals for media coverage. We will then discuss how to tell your organization's story in a compelling way and construct a detailed media strategy to help you get coverage. The final sessions of the class will be dedicated to the nuts and bolts of executing an effective media strategy: developing a press list, writing press releases, pitching your story, staging a media event, and maintaining relationships with reporters. You will leave this course with a thorough theoretical and practical understanding of how to get the press coverage your organization needs to fulfill its mission.
Course Schedule
Day 1
What is the media? How does it work? aka "Why won't reporters cover our action?"
Why do we want press coverage? What are our goals?
How to Tell Your Story so that the Media Listens
Day 2
Nuts and Bolts: Developing a Press List
Nuts and Bolts: Writing Press Releases
Day 3
Nuts and Bolts: The Pitch
Nuts and Bolts: The Media Event
After-Action Follow-up
Reflection on Course
Location
Building an Earth Oven
I would like to organize a class to build an earth oven. I have done this before but never here in Minneapolis.
We will start with a classroom session talking about the science behind earth plaster construction and thermal mass cooking. Then we will build the oven over a series of approximately 8 sessions.
This class is early in formation. In order to make it work and do it cheaply, we will need to find:
1) somebody who has a whole lot of clay soil that we can remove from their yard
One Possible way to do this is by building a raingarden for someone. In building the rain garden we can extract lots of clay soil.
2) Find someone who owns some land nearby who would like an earth oven. Anyone?
3) Find someone with a truck who can haul clay and sand for us.
Until we find these things we will not set a date for this class. However, if you are excited about this please feel free to contact me. Lets work together to find the resources we need to make this happen. It is possible if it takes a long time figuring these logistics out we will do this class spring semester. In the meantime, lets work together to track down what we need, and maybe build that rain garden.
There is also a possibility that this class will be done in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota (EJAM). They are starting a grassroots natural building campaign with North Minneapolis residents
Fiction and Literature Monthly Book Club
This class will be a book club held monthly during the evening. Day of the week is flexible and can be agreed upon once enough members have joined.
I'm interested in popular fiction, as well as literature and sci-fi/fantasy books. I have a special place in my heart for young adult books, especially young adult fantasy novels and series.
For the first book I suggest I Am The Messenger by Marcus Zusak. Once several people have joined we can agree upon a meeting time in a few weeks at a coffeeshop or the library in Uptown. I will check to see if Spyhouse will let us use their back room, but am open to suggestions regarding location!
I will informally lead the discussion of the first book, but whether the discussion remains on the book the entire time or digresses to other topics I do not mind. At the end of the first meeting someone else can suggest a book for our next meeting and plan to lead that discussion.
Hopefully after a few meetings we'd be able to move the club to the "facilitator's" abode and start bringing food and wine.
lojban learning club
two friends decided to learn lojban over the summer, and they are inviting you to join them!
we plan on starting with reading the lojban reference grammar and the dictionary. later on, we'll read some of the translated lojban texts, and practice speaking when we meet.
if you don't know what lojban is, it's a logical language, constructed to be linguistically perfect. this (theoretically) makes it easy to learn. i encourage you to go here and learn more:
http://www.lojban.org
if you are interested in participating, send us an email! our plans are flexible.
Introduction to the Commons
Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00pm
July 7 - Aug 18
Location: the Students Cooperative on 1721 University Avenue SE
(it's located across the street from the University of Minnesota Bell Museum)
This will be a study group centered around a few core readings: From Garrett Hardin to Elinor Ostrom.
"The commons" refers to resources that are collectively owned or shared among populations. It can include everything from natural resources and common land to software.
Reading Marx's Capital
We'll read Marx's Capital vol. 1 as well as supplementary materials including David Harvey's 'A Companion to Marx's Capital' and Harry Cleaver's 'Reading Capital Politically' and perhaps more. This class will be very reading intensive. The details of how much we'll read every week is undecided at this point, but if we intend to finish by the end of the summer we'll have to read around 100 pages a week in addition to the supplementary material we'll be reading. Time and place also undecided at this point.
Introduction to Precalculus and Calculus I
First class: July 14th (at the U of M, STSS 119) 4:30-6:30PM
Why:
Like the idea of learning introductory Calculus without the pressures of the graded classroom? Have you ever wanted to see math put to practical use? This course will be intended to give anyone with a fluency in basic Algebra and Trigonometry the opportunity to learn introductory Calculus topics without the pressure. I am hoping to make this course fairly informal, interactive, and fun (Math fun?!). This course will give a slow to medium paced approach to basic Calculus with an abundance of real life applications, demos, pictures, and videos.
What:
Topics for the course include a review of basic algebra and trigonometry, the concept and use of derivation, an introduction to numerical methods, an introduction into the concept of integration and more. Practical examples will be an emphasis of this course; while the material may sound intimidating to the non-math saavy, these mathematical concepts CAN be used in everyday life and will give anyone a greater appreciation for physical phenomenon and Calculus application.
When:
This course will be offered in the summer of 2011, beginning in June and ending sometime in August. The times of the course offering are not yet set and will be determined by the availability of those interested in taking the class, but will most likely be once or twice a week in the afternoon or evening. Location is additionally unknown at this point in time. I will also be producing a course website for ease of access of materials and to host additional information for the more ambitious learner.
Kiswahili Discussion Circle
this discussion group would be ideal for people who are either trying to brush up on speaking Swahili or who haven't yet had much exposure to Swahili but are serious about learning (e.g., you have plans to travel to East Africa). for beginners, we can offer some basic materials; however, the learning curve will be sharp.
people who have taken Swahili through St. Paul community education along with a local person who has briefly lived in Tanzania have committed themselves to help form the core of the discussion group... so this IS happening.
Location
Biochemistry
Come and learn about how our bodies work on the chemical level. Why do we get diabetes? Why is alcohol hard on your liver? Why is getting burned bad for my skin? I am a medical student, and am trying to bring science to populations of people who would like to learn, but may not do it otherwise. I will go in depth on a number of topics and I will get 'science-y.' For that some amount of basic chemistry or biology experience in your past would be helpful. This will be what you want to get out of it. If you want to know the names and memorize all the pathways, great. If you don't feel like memorizing it (who would?) don't feel like you need to. THERE ARE NO EXAMS, THIS IS FOR FUN AND YOUR INFORMATION! All I hope for, is to get people interested in science and how their own bodies work. If you are an undergraduate student and want to take this as a stress free walk through before you take the real thing, great. If you are a medical student and want to use this as a way to review for the boards, (that is what I am doing), also great. And if you just want to know about your body but never had the time, money or chance to learn about biochemistry, I'll help make sure you are following along. Regardless of why you want to come, I promise to make this a fun environment. This will take place twice a week for one hour.
Ben Brasseur
Good Vibes: Energy Healing & Increasing Bliss
We will share healing time, stories, guided meditation, & techniques for relaxation, self-healing, & healing others. Energy healing topics include: working with universal energy, patterns of energy movement in & around the body, sensing & moving blockages, breath, & symbols. Please dress for comfort & bring a pillow if you can (no worries if you can't).
*Please note: Despite the potentially provocative title, this class is NON-SEXUAL, open to all ages, & will have an environment of Super Safe Space. The title is in reference to how GREAT energy healing can feel!
Location
Children's book reading group
A family-friendly reading group. We will read kid's books from a critical socio-political perspective followed by loosely facilitated discussion focusing on hearing the ideas and perspectives of young people. Suggested titles include: The Lorax by Dr Seuss, The Story of Colors by Subcomandante Marcos, and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch and Michael Marchenko.
Only children under 10 need register. Most titles will be targeted for ages 3-7 but may change based on attendees. All ages are welcome. Caregivers are encouraged but not required to attend.
Location
Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism
"Demanding the Impossible", in addition to doing just that, will also meet and discuss the book by Peter Marshall with the same name. In addition to discussing the text, we hope to also make connections from the theoretical concepts and historical developments discussed in Peter Marshall's book to the current day and even our own organizing.
The book is long (~700 pages), but is written in an approachable style and is thoroughly subdivided. The plan is to collectively edit the syllabus during the first class meeting, deciding what sections of the book we will discuss based on the interests of the class.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604860642/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0002178559&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0VE1XT0CS3BRE81MM31G
*********************************************
Information on the book from the publisher:
"Navigating the broad 'river of anarchy', from Taoism to Situationism, from Ranters to Punk rockers, from individualists to communists, from anarcho-syndicalists to anarcha-feminists, Demanding the Impossible is an authoritative and lively study of a widely misunderstood subject. It explores the key anarchist concepts of society and the state, freedom and equality, authority and power and investigates the successes and failure of the anarchist movements throughout the world. While remaining sympathetic to anarchism, it presents a balanced and critical account. It covers not only the classic anarchist thinkers, such as Godwin, Proudhon, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Reclus and Emma Goldman, but also other libertarian figures, such as Nietzsche, Camus, Gandhi, Foucault and Chomsky. No other book on anarchism covers so much so incisively.
In this updated edition, a new epilogue examines the most recent developments, including 'post-anarchism' and 'anarcho-primitivism' as well as the anarchist contribution to the peace, green and 'Global Justice' movements.
Location
Beginning Meditation and Mindfulness for Activists
"We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and don't make peace with ourselves. World peace must develop out of inner peace."
Mindfulness can simply be defined as being fully in the present moment and fully accepting anything that happens, just simply observing everything as it occurs. Within the larger concept of 'mindfulness' there are methods such as meditation, yoga, qigong, tai chi and others that help focus an individual more fully on the present moment.
My goal in this course is to help you to be happier and more peaceful by facilitating your own learning of these methods and you will be able to practice these methods quite easily on your own after even coming to one of these classes.
Meditation has been getting a lot of press in recent years thanks to recent advancements in brain imaging that has shown scientifically that meditation, yoga, qigong and other ancient practices have concrete, positive results for a person's health. Various benefits include greater calmness, lowered blood pressure, lowered stress levels, increased ability to concentrate and others (If you Google Scholar 'meditation' and 'Jon Kabat-Zinn' or 'Richard Davidson' you can get a whole list of research articles). The best way to learn about these benefits, though, is through first-hand experience.
Meditation and other practices are very effective ways to self-heal and find inner peace. Mindfulness is compatible with any belief or non-belief system, so whatever your belief or non-beliefs are, these practices can help you in relieving stress, having greater calmness, etc...which is pretty cool :)
There is a lot of activist work to be done in the world today with so much happening and taking care of ourselves is something we might be tempted to neglect. Yet the more at peace we are with ourselves and what is going on inside of us, the more effective and greater attention we can give toward improving the world outside ourselves.
home assesment, a dialog with comunity members & trades people on finding and maintaining a home
a discussion group in order to design a class for future Exco sessions
for who: home buyers, home owners, land lords, renters with housing livability issues
What: home assessment, Project assessment, cost assessment
Create Your Juicy Life
This workshop is a series of 7 Action Guides that will allow you to create an absolutely delicious life.
It is based on Jeff's upcoming book, Create Your Juicy Life.
You will not only be provided the tools to create and design your life - but you will also be given the nudge needed to take ACTION to achieve the success you want in life.
Aura Strengthening and Psychic Self-defense
This workshop is designed especially for those who work in the helping fields, such as counselors, nurses, massage therapists and others, including anyone who seeks to feel more comfortable with a stronger, more resilient and less porous energy field.
We will discuss and practice time-tested ways of managing and strengthening our energy field through intention and visualization, as well as learn some practical tips to assist us in becoming more comfortable in our home, work, and personal space.
Dress comfortably and come see if what we offer can help you feel more buoyant.
Garden Perspectives
This class is designed for participants who already have a basic level of knowledge and experience around gardening/farming and are looking to expand upon this knowledge.** It is broken into two components; 1- Gardening 201, and 2- Exploration of Garden Philosophies.
Gardening 201
Soil - biology > nutrient cycling > creating fertility management plan.
Water - catchment > storage > irrigation methods.
Plants - basic biology > disease and pest pressures > starting your own transplants > seeding techniques > creating a crop rotation plan > seed collecting.
Season Extension Techniques
Garden Philosophies
Permaculture
Biodynamic Gardening/Farming
Bio-intensive Gardening
Urban Agriculture
Due to the winter time exploration of this topic, hands-on practice will be limited. However, where possible, the facilitator will incorporate such elements.
**requires a brief description of class participants basic garden knowledge and how they hope to apply this knowledge.
Namibia: One of Africa's Newest Nations
In the first half of the workshop, we examine Namibian history, geography, politics, and culture from the perspective of Namibian activists, freedom fighters, politicians, teachers, and students. During the second half, we learn from successful Namibian initiatives such as the Penduka Cooperative for Women, Habitat Research and Development Centre, Basic Income Grant, and Young Achievers Empowerment Program.
Location
Astrology 101: Wish Upon a Star
I have for many years fostered an interest in the study and practice of the oldest science, astrology. For millennia people watched the heavens to determine the best time to accomplish tasks, from mundane everyday things, to planning weddings, and waging wars. Over the centuries, astrology has been celebrated, refined, condemned, and celebrated again. It has been called an art, a science, and a superstitious pseudoscience. It is my goal to share the facets of it that emphasize all three. It is my hope that even if you do not subscribe to the beliefs of astrological pinciple that you will at least garner some information that can be used, at the very least, as a nice icebreaker in any social situation. In this class I will share my knowledge on the following aspects of a very important piece of human history:
*Natal astrology, or birth signs, using the traditional method and the supposed effects on personality
*Synastry, or astrological compatibility
*Using natal astrology to learn more about what the stars say about your natural tendencies, hopefully to gain insight into your psyche (whether it be through belief or disbelief is up to you)
*Mythology behind the constellations used and the different guises that each sign has gone through
*A history of the use and misuse of astrology across the globe
*Astrology from other cultures (briefly) Including Chinese "astrology", Vedic Astrology, and Mesoamerican astrology
*Whatever else we get around to!
Polymathic Aesthetism (A forum and exhibition)
This class is both a forum and exhibition (everyone welcome!)
In this class we will be exploring:
A. Polymathic Aesthetisicm, a functional system for implenting ideas on a larger scale. The aesthetic supposes that through the use of certain recontextualized metaphors such as Adam Smith's Invisible Hand and the Human web when paired with a little footwoork seemingly improbable ideas become probable, palitable, and overall doable.
B. The curation/installation of an exhibition. We will create and hold an exhibition from conceptualizion all the way to installation.
You do not need any sort of "artistic" background or knowledge of the art to world to attend. Polymathic Aesthetism caters to all talents and is not specific to so called "artistic talents."
(All minor art supplies are provided.)
Thanks a bunch!
Experiment in Collaborative Creativity.
The activities in our group will be experiential. We will begin with a few warm up exercises to get acquainted and hopefully get in the flow of creative collaboration. The group includes some personal sharing and reflective writing. The main activity will be choosing a subject to explore, sharing personal stories related to the subject, then creating a piece of work that represents parts of each members story. The form of the work is open to our imagination. The structure of the group evolves as needed and as the collaborative process moves forward. Decisions are reached by consensus. What comes out of the collaboration will be ??????.
A few of the questions and explorations inherent in the activities are how to balance individual needs with the needs of the group/community; how to value and integrate differences and keep conflict stimulating, creative, and productive; when boundaries inhibit integrative processes and when they promote integration; what mix of flexibility and holding the line leads to "successful" co creating,etc.
Throughout the experiment members are encouraged to evaluate the process on both personal and social levels for discussion when the activities conclude. The nature of the class/group experiment requires regular attendance for the full 8 weeks in order to build on the previous exercises and experiences.
Requirements: Curiousity, a willingness to share personal information related to the chosen subject matter, open to exploring in a non linear fashion, and respectful interaction, and regular attendance to derive the full benefit of the collaboration, especially in the earlier weeks of the experient.
Location
Theatre of the Oppressed
No theatre experience necessary! We will be using the tools and techniques of Theatre of the Oppressed to play, dialogue and connect with each other. Theatre of the Oppressed was developed in Brazil and is now used all over the world as a means for personal and community exploration and transformation. Based in the experiences, stories, struggles and desires of the group, we will use in-your-body activities to explore and dialogue together. These are tools you can also take and use in many different group settings.
Location
Becoming Riflemyn - Rifle Marksmynship
This course will supply knowledge and skills required to become a Riflemyn. A riflemyn is a person capable of hitting 20" targets from 500 meters with standard equipment. Information covered will range from fundamental to advanced skills, depending on progress of the students. The goal of this course is to expand responsible rifle knowledge into urban culture. Students will be able to transfer their knowledge to members of their respective communities.
The course will likely be several meetings, beginning with classroom orientation of safety and basic firearms knowledge. This will include discussion of types of rifles for prospective buyers. A comprehensive text will be provided. This will be followed up with one or more range days where one will be able to learn the concepts and knowledge of becoming a Riflemyn. Students are encouraged to provide their own rifles, though this is not necessary. An ideal student will be open to eventually purchasing a rifle and being comitted to learning the trade of Riflemynship through dedicated practice. Please email the facilitator upon registering to explain your level of interest.
It should be noted that while this is an introductory course, it is complete in riflemynship content. If one is dedicated to learning and open to absorbing the information, one will have the skills to acheive a standard of marksmynship that exceeds 99% of rifle owners. We call this the Riflemyn standard. Those who acheive this standard will be considered a Riflemyn, and will recieve a nifty patch. This course is in no way a statement of political belief or motive. It is simply the knowledge of skill. While all are welcome, outwardly oppressive or offensive perspectives will not be tolerated.
"The Book: On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are" and the Philosophy of Alan Watts
In 1966 Alan Watts, self proclaimed philosophical entertainer, published what many regard as his master work, "The Book: On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are". In this book, Watts attacks a belief at the foundation of Western culture and technology: the self as a separate ego, separated from and in conflict with the rest of the world. Furthermore, Watts provides an alternative view based on Hindi and Vedantic philosophy.
"The Book" is essentially a synthesis of Watts' work as a philosopher, writer, speaker, and student of Eastern and Western religion; beautifully articulated metaphors, witty aphorisms and mind expanding insights all packed into a concise 146 pages.
Come join me as we discuss "The Book" in detail. The class will be an open forum where we can delve further into the ideas at the center of the human potential movement.
The course will span six weeks, with each week covering one chapter (there are six in all). Food, drinks, intellectual stimulation and merriment are sure to be provided. What more do you need to know?
Of course, the only requirement for the class is that all members read "The Book". For those who cannot obtain a copy, an online version can be found here:
http://www.leary.ru/download/watts/Book%20On%20The%20Taboo%20Against%20K...
**All new members please contact me at Rogaz23@aol.com for information on meeting times as they vary from week to week (the EXCO email system is not working).
Location
Experimental Songwriting
In this class we will be experimenting with writing in the moment- which (musically) means no writing at all.
Each participant will bring his or her instrument of choice- even if it's "just" their voice, and we will play with a variety of methods- everyone "passing the feather," (and we will play with this idea as well). I (Miss Chief) will "host" (teach) the class, by gentle guiding/leading...
Any ability/experience level is fine, as long as each individual maintains respect for each other. If someone is unbearably off, and our ears hurt, we may need them to take a break for a few minutes! Hopefully, you know how to play your instrument somewhat! ;)
Ideally, we would have the equipment with which to record our "sessions/"classes, and eveyone would get a copy via CD ( - though it would probably be more efficient to compile the recordings and give everyone a copy on the last day of class).
Location
Running for slowpokes
I envision this as a pretty casual workshop/running group that would follow the couch-5k training program together, share struggles and successes, and perhaps run a race, if the participants are interested. I am no expert, but I do have some resources and experience to share about the nuts and bolts of running and will likely have various "new runner" friends come by to share their stories and run with us. I think this workshop would be the best fit for woman-identified people ages 16 and up, but will certainly not turn anyone away. For maximum benefit, sign up with a buddy who lives in your neighborhood! Come to first class dressed in comfortable clothing, and the best athletic shoes you have. Have a light dinner or snack and a glass of water about an hour before. bring a water bottle if you like, but there are fountains in the park. We will likely not have a secure place for our valuables, so plan to only have your car or house key with you during class.
Location
Danza Folklorica (Spanish)
Vamos a practicar tecnicas de zapatiado, expresion corporal en un ambiente comodo y diveritido. Danza folklorica, salsa, cumbia y mas!
Location
The Exploration of Societal Ideologies
To Whom It May Concern:
The class in which I intend to propose will be entitled: The Exploration of Societal Ideologies. The primary emphasis of the class will be to explore and contemplate the numerous social experimentations that have rectified and destroyed entire civilizations alike. One of the greatest aspirations of the curriculum will be to shed light on the correlation between the principles of social ideologies and the functionality of empowered governments (past and present) that are then in turn bound by the underlying historical relevancies that have measured its performance. A series of connections can be made about a particular nation, community, and culture by observing these fundamentals.
The initial policy of education that I intend to incorporate to the class curriculum will diverge on methods of self-empowerment and interpretation of the given subject matter. In my own personal conviction I feel that the greatest learning experiences can only truly be embraced once an independent perspective is formulated on the receiving end on behalf of the student. This methodology extends a sense of academic self-sufficiency that establishes this degree of independent interpretation. In reference to my own experiences in which I have embraced through my own academic career I have come to the realization that the stimulation of independent thought processes develops the greatest degree of general awareness within the vast academic realm.
Location
Instead of Marriage: Write Your Own Relationship Contract
INSTEAD OF MARRIAGE:
WRITE YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP CONTRACT
Are you in an on-going interpersonal relationship?
Would your relationship benefit from clarification
of the basic implicit priniples by which it has been operating?
This EXCO seminar will be an opportunity for committed couples, triples, etc.
to discuss 28 open-ended Questions
that should be asked and answered in any on-going relationship.
These 28 basic Questions are embedded in the Internet outline
of the book we will use for this seminar:
Designer Marriage: Write Your Own Relationship Contract:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/RC.html
This link also allows you to read
the beginning of the default Answer to each Question.
If you allow society to answer the Questions for you,
you will have a conventional marriage.
But if you make up your own Answers,
you might create a relationship so different from conventional marriage
that you might decide not to get officially married.
Here is the comprehensive course description:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/D-RC.html
This outlines the basic areas of discussion for this seminar.
Details about the book are also available,
including a buy-back option for EXCO participants.
Frenchy Friday Revival!
Are you, like me, an occasional speaker of French? Etes-vous vraiment fluent et peuvez-vous me rendre tranquille avec votres... uh.... comment dit-on "unemcumbered genius in wielding grammar and vocabulary"? Or are you simply interested in learning more French than yer high school class had to offer?
Come one, come all francophiles as we resurrect the spirit of last year's Frenchy Friday group in a fantastic soiree full of frenchiness... Bring music, food, wine, flamboyant hats, anything that speaks of your love for the language of love, and we will do our best to converse in French all night long.... When we run out of words, i have dictionnaires :o)
Location
Investigation into the process of investigation
Investigation into investigation
This class is inspired by the Roman orator Horace's command, Sapere aude!, or, in English, Dare to know!.
The intention of this course is to study the very simple question: How do we find the information that we want? This class will ignore the questions of what information we want, or why. Instead we will focus on methods of investigation and discovery, and the troubles and gad-flies of life that accompany it.
This class, more simply, will be a group led investigation into the process of investigation itself-- a meta-investigation. While I have some ideas on the topic, I most hope to share the written or composed works of others as source material, along with what we find, together, along the way.
We will be reading the works of the late social scientist, Robert K. Merton, whose contributions to the field of phisolophy and sociology of science, and the nature of investigation itself, I believe can inform us. In particular, we will be reading from two of his books: "On The Shoulders Of Giants" ( abbrieviated OTSOG ) and "The Travels and Adventures of Serendipity". This class may also involve reference to Albert Camus, Franz Kafka, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and also whomever we happen find along the way.
I would also like to involve in this course a study of music, poetry, and fiction, in order to amplify or discredit the ideas found in our investigations of investigation. It is my intention that this portion of the class be the most collaborative; I would hope that participants of the class would share their own favorite music, poetry, and fiction about the processes of investigation.
Location
Loneliness, Depression, Anxiety, and Death: Our Existential Predicament
LONELINESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND DEATH:
OUR EXISTENTIAL PREDICAMENT
Have you noticed a loneliness that cannot be solved by love?
Are you sometimes aware of a depression not caused by circumstances?
Do you have free-floating existential anxiety?
Is your 'fear of death' out of proportion to the actual threat?
These 4 and 7 other similar phenomena will be explored in this electronic group.
Our method of exploration is looking deeply into ourselves.
This cyber-seminar will take place by means of an already-established Yahoo Group
called The Existential Freedom Group.
Each month, beginning as soon as 10 people have the book and are ready to discuss it,
we will read and discuss one chapter from a book called:
Our Existential Predicament:
Loneliness, Depression, Anxiety, and Death.
Over 50 pages from this book can be read on the Internet.
Just click the title above.
Students and faculty at the University of Minnesota
will find this book in Wilson Library.
And the publisher—Existential Books—offers to donate this book
to any public or academic library that will agree to put it on the shelves.
(Here are the details about this offer of free books for libraries.)
Readers who would prefer to own a copy
should buy it directly from the publisher.
A comprehensive course description will appear if you click those words.
Locations
The Richest Man in Babylon: A Study in Personal Finance
We will be exploring basic tenants of financial self-sufficiency. The Richest Man in Babylon was originally a series of pamphlets distributed by banks to warn customers of investing in risky stocks prior to the crash of the stock market on Black Thursday in 1929. The lessons outlined in the book are timeless and are told in entertaining parables. We will explore and discuss these lessons and relate them to how we can set up our own savings plan in the similar market situation we have found ourselves in. This is an introduction to personal finance and is designed for students who are looking to balance their saving vs. spending budgets. Students are expected to read the text and minimal take home work will be involved.
Location
Living Will Workshop: Creating Your Own Advance Directive for Medical Care
LIVING WILL WORKSHOP:
CREATING YOUR OWN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR MEDICAL CARE
Facilitator:
James Park, existential philosopher
E-mail:
PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU
Phone:
612-871-7275
Course description:
In preparing for our own deaths, we should to ask 24 basic Questions,
discuss them with our loved ones, put our decisions into writing, and appoint proxies.
This workshop will be an opportunity to meet with others who are asking the same Questions,
deciding their own medical ethics, and how they want to be treated at the end life.
"http:www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/Q-L-WILL.html"
Here are the 24 basic Questions on the Internet.
Each week we will discuss about 4 Questions.
The printed resource for this workshop is:"http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/AD-OUT-NET.html"
Your Last Year: Creating Your Own Advance Directive for Medical Care
About 100 pages of this 250-page book are offered free of charge on the Internet.
This book will be available in class for $35.
But you can return it for $30 at the end of class." http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/LWW-EXCO.html">
See your options for owning or re-selling the book.
See a" http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/D-LWW.html"
comprehensive course description.
At the end of this workshop, participants will have written, signed, and witnessed
Advance Directives for Medical Care.
You are encouraged to attend with your proxy
Location
Are You a Person of Spirit? Six Capacities of Our Human Spirits
ARE YOU A PERSON OF SPIRIT?
SIX CAPACITIES OF OUR HUMAN SPIRITS
Name of facilitator:
James Park
E-mail:
PARKx032@UMN.EDU
(612) 871-7275
course description:
Shorter and longer course descriptions will be found here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/D-SPIRIT.html
Being together with other persons of spirit can help us to tune-in to our higher capacities.
In the first meeting we will attempt to define and distinguish these four dimensions of our selves:
(1) our physical dimension
(given by our genes);
(2) our emotional-psychological dimension
(learned since birth);
(3) our intellectual dimension
(characterized by words, verbal learning);
(4) our spiritual dimension
(beyond body, heart, and mind; manifest in the following 6 capacities).
Our human spirits show themselves in these six phenomena:
(1) self-transcendence, self-criticism, and altruism;
(2) freedom—our ability to shape our own lives;
(3) creativity—our ability to bring something new into being;
(4) love—which opens us to encountering others as Thou;
(5) anxiety—which puts us in touch with our underlying Malaise;
(6) joy and fulfillment—opening to living beyond angst and despair.
Because the life of our spirits is so fragile, it is very easy to ignore the budding of our spirits,
so that our spiritual life dries up and disappears.
If we want our spirits to grow, we must prize and nurture whatever inkling of spirit we have
rather than dismissing and forgetting these capacities because they lack immediate practical value.
Location
Creative Art materials from businesses and dumpsters discussion and creation group
Title of Course: Creative Art materials from businesses and dumpsters discussion and creation group
Facilitator: Sarah Prentice (with Chris Mclane)
Email: thelotusduck@gmail.com Phone: 612-308-0760
Class Time: Thursdays at 5
Class Dates: June 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
Place: Cheapo 80 Snelling Ave. N. St. Paul, MN 55104
Course description: Discuss art and materials. Class participants will brainstorm on uses for art materials that can be gotten for free. Topics include organic fibers, Vinyl Records, canceled orders and end cuts, books and stickers, bike tires and inner tubes, and uses like jewelery, diy printmaking, 2d art and sculpture.
Class size: Minimum ___5______ Maximum _____25____
Imprinted Sexual Fantasies: A New Key for Sexology
IMPRINTED SEXUAL FANTASIES:
A NEW KEY FOR SEXOLOGY
Facilitator:
James Park, existential philosopher
E-mail:
PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU
Phone:
612-871-7275
Course description:
We will read and discuss a book of the same name:
Imprinted Sexual Fantasies: A New Key for Sexology.
ISF offers a new explanation of human sexuality:
Each person is imprinted with specific sex-scripts
or sexual fantasies during our first 20 years of life.
Our first sexual responses are created not by nature,
not by nurture, but by mental imprinting.
If this hypothesis proves substantially correct,
it could revolutionize modern sexology.
Is this seminar for you?
Ten teasers from the text might help you decide.
Eleven chapters will be discussed in 5 sessions:
Session 1:
I. INTRODUCING THE SEX-SCRIPT HYPOTHESIS
This chapter is available free of charge on the Internet:
See the table of contents.
Participants in this class should read these 16 pages
before the first session.
After we introduce the class and the participants,
we will discuss this first chapter.
Copies of the printed book will be available in class
for the wholesale price: $25.
Session 2:
II. THE EVOLUTIONARY BACKGROUND OF HUMAN SEX-SCRIPTS
III. SEXUAL IMPRINTING AT CRITICAL PERIODS IN PSYCHO-SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
Session 3:
IV. THREE LEVELS OF SEX-SCRIPTS
V. VARIETIES OF SEX-SCRIPTS
Session 4:
Location
Voluntary Poverty: How to Simplify Your Life
Name of facilitator:
James Park
E-mail:
PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU
Phone:
612-871-7275
Course description:
VOLUNTARY POVERTY:
HOW TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE
Would you like to meet other people who live simply?
This seminar has become a gathering place
for people already committed to voluntary simplicity.
What ideas do you have for saving money?
This seminar will be an opportunity to share our experiences
of living on much less than most people think is essential.
Can we be happy earning and spending less than $10,000 per year?
How do you obtain the small amount of money you need to survive?
How do you manage to spend so much less than other people?
Can any of your techniques be used by others?
Here is the comprehensive course description for this class:
Voluntary Poverty: How to Simplify Your Life,
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/D-VP.html
Here you will find more details about the life-style of the facilitator,
who lives at 75% of the federal poverty level.
You will also learn more about our Facebook Page,
which is called "Simple Living in the Twin Cities".
(There is also more about our Facebook Page
at the bottom of this course description.)
This workshop will be just one meeting of two hours.
This should be enough to share ideas for living cheaply.
If you would like to know how I save money on electricity, for example
(paying only $21 per month), go to:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/CY-ELEC.html
If you would like to read some books on simplifying your life,
go to the Simplicity Bibliography:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/%7Eparkx032/B-SIMP.html
TIME:
The February 2010 meeting of this seminar
was attended by about 12 people.
We are likely to have another gathering soon.
Location
New Ways of Loving: How Authenticity Transforms Relationships
NEW WAYS OF LOVING:
HOW AUTHENTICITY TRANSFORMS RELATIONSHIPS
Name of facilitator: James Park
E-mail: PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU
Phone: 612-871-7275
Course description:
Explore new perspectives for creating
more open, free, and growing relationships.
In five sessions we will explore 8 themes:
Session 1:
Meeting the other men and women of the group.
Introducing all the themes and distributing books.
Session 2:
(Ch. 1) recovering from romantic illusions;
(Ch. 2) becoming more Authentic;
Session 3:
(Ch. 3) maintaining freedom in love;
(Ch. 4) transcending pre-existing needs;
Session 4:
(Ch. 5) preventing jealousy by becoming unique;
(Ch. 6) opening to loving more than one person;
Session 5:
(Ch. 7) reinventing sex;
(Ch. 8) outgrowing masculinity and femininity.
Our resource for this seminar is: New Ways of Loving:
How Authenticity Transforms Relationships by James Park.
Click here for more information about the text.
Over 60 pages are available on the Internet.
These 8 chapters will be available in class for $20
Or you can buy the complete book in the sixth edition, 2007, for $35.
See options for buying these chapters.
James Park is an existential philosopher and the leader of this seminar.
A comprehensive course description appears here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/D-NWL.html.
The Facebook Page for the Experimental College
has pictures of both of the EXCO classes on love held so far,
spring and fall 2009.
As you will see in these pictures,
this EXCO class draws more women than men.
Class Time: each session is two hours.
Class Dates: to be arranged.
Location
Becoming More Authentic: The Positive Side of Existentialism
E-mail: PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU
Phone: 612-871-7275
BECOMING MORE AUTHENTIC:
THE POSITIVE SIDE OF EXISTENTIALISM
Do you want to make your life more:
autonomous, focused, organized, and meaningful?
Using a small book of the same name,
we will first define Authenticity, take an Authenticity Test,
consider several possible Authentic projects-of-being,
and finally explore Authenticity as described by
Camus, Sartre, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, and Maslow.
If you would like to read a three-page presentation
of the basic concept of Authenticity, go to:
Becoming More Authentic:
The Positive Side of Existentialism.
Another way to describe Authenticity
is to ask where we are on any of
23 growth scales.
If you click the link above,
you will see a phrase describing where we all begin
and a contrasting phrase describing
the destination toward which we move
if we are becoming more Authentic.
For example, here is the fourth growth scale:
In original existence,
we 'pursue' culturally-provided meanings and goals.
Whereas as we become more Authentic,
we create our own meanings and goals.
Existentialism affirms our personal freedom
to re-create our selves:
What is the new purpose of my life?
The instructor is James Park,
existential philosopher and author of the text,
which will be available in class for $15.
(But see cheaper options for buying the book.)
A comprehensive course description appears here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/D-AU.html.
Class Time:
four meetings, two hours each,
to be arranged to suit the largest number of interested persons.
Class Dates:
Location
