July
Canning Jam & Basics of Water Bath Method
This is a class offered through the Local Food Resource Hubs program coordinated by Gardening Matters. There are 7 spots open to non-Hubs members. To become a member, visit www.gardeningmatters.org/hubs. This class will offer a basic demonstration for making Strawberry/Rhubarb Jam using the hot water bath canning food preservation method. The class will be a casual demonstration with question and answers for the beginning food preservationist, first time caner.
If you have questions you may contact [email protected]
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Growing Fruit in Minnesota
Join us to learn the ins and outs of growing a variety of fruits in Minnesota. Apples and beyond!
This is a class offered through the Local Food Resource Hubs program coordinated by Gardening Matters. There are 5 spots open to non-Hubs members. To become a member, visit gardeningmatters.org/hubs.
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Indigenous Imperative: Native Thought and its Implications for Our Future
Location: University of Minnesota Ford Hall Room 170
The premise of course is that our future is not only ecological but indigenous. We will be looking at not only the Six Nations Confederacy, but several other cultural and political powers in the western hemisphere including the Hopi, the Ojibway, the Inca, the Maya, Aztecs and many others. One of the goals of this course will be to not only push the envelope but get rid of the envelope. No discussion of our problems or potentials is possible without our indigenous center. Forget casino gambling, fry bread, pow wows, Sherman Alexie's cynical novels, and all of the other caricatures of first nations people. Rather we are going to vigorously look at the loose medicine bundle of values and cultures which evolved on this continent called sacred turtle island. We will advocate for a robust restoration of native teachings.
NOTE: Ray does not use email all that much so if you want to get in touch with him
before the class please call.
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Sourdough Bread
This class explores the power of wild yeast to naturally leaven breads. In 2 class sessions we'll make our own sourdough starters to take home and then build them into doughs - using slow fermentation methods to produce beautiful loaves and other sourdough wonders! All you knead is enthusiasm and some patience before your own doughs will be rising to perfection!
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Transformative Justice
Transformative Justice is a process of community safety, healing, and accountability without using punishment. Transformative Justice attempts to expand beyond individual actions into root causes, such as socialization and privilege.
In this class we will read and discuss material relating to Transformative Justice, come up with a shared definition of Transformative Justice, share our experiences with systems that attempt to provide justice, and create plans for using Transformative Justice models/processes to create safer and healthier communities.
Basic Bike Maintenance at Cycles for Change (Formerly Sibley Bike Depot) (July)
This class is designed as a complete introduction to the basics of maintaining your bicycle yourself. Learning to fix your own bike can save you money, ensure access to reliable transportation, and be a rewarding personal experience to understand how your vehicle functions. Participants aren’t expected to know anything beforehand – the only thing you need to bring is your lovely selves, your bike if you want, and a creative desire to learn!
In addition to providing technical explanations and building mechanical knowledge and confidence, this class will attempt to provide a basic overview of the role of community bike shops throughout the country and world, as we work to build sustainable transportation movements locally and globally.
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Class in a "Classless" Society
Class is one of the most prominent divisions in American society and yet one that we don't talk about but should. In this workshop, we'll confront issues of class, understand hidden class biases and discrimination, and talk about how to deal with it. Through small group projects, short writings, discussion, videos, and creative projects, we'll explore what class really means in America, how it affects life choices, politics, etc.
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Queer Studies
Queer studies destabilizes the normative grounds upon which claims are made over sexuality. It reappraises the ways in which the concept of the sexual has been taken up in institutions, communities, society, politics, and disciplinary forms of knowing. This nine week class will explore how sexuality operates alongside and against race, class, gender, nationality, disability and other social categories in systems of power. We will read foundational works in queer studies as well as more recent scholarship.
for course website, visit:
http://excoqueerstudies.wordpress.com
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From Abbie Hoffman to the 99%: History and Strategies for Culture Jamming
The term culture jamming comes from broadcasting terminology for jamming the airwaves. It involves ways of making your own media to counter the media messages we see every day and to make interventions into culture via media. We'll look at the history of culture jamming, including the Situationists International and the Yippies from the 1960s, feminist zines from the 1980s and 1990s, to the current practice by the Yes Men and Reverend Billy. We'll watch movies and videos of performances, read zines, have discussions, and have the chance to participate in some low cost/low tech (but potentially high visibility) culture jamming of our own. The makeup and interests of the members will play a determining factor into our activities and content -- we will be as active as the group wants to be!
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Governing Society: Politics, Economics, and Public Policy
The basic foundation of “society” (a formally-organized community) is governance. This course in political economy looks at governance from a theoretic perspective, focusing on the material aspects of social existence: How and why societies arise to address material conditions by adopting political and economic governance mechanisms, how politics and economics are intertwined, and how they define the terrain for forming public policy.
Lecture and discussion. Suggested readings, none required. No assignments, but instructor will evaluate relevant written work by students.
This course will benefit those seeking to better understand government/political science, economics, and public policy, including those interested in reforming the current 99% vs. 1% US political economy.
Week 1. Basic political economy.
General theory and interplay of governance by government and economic structures. Tragedy of the Commons as introduction. Humanist model, social contract, and collective action. Intro to political meta-narratives/ideology.
Week 2. Economic theory overview.
Theories of value. Macro vs. Micro, part 1. The Standard Model. Adam Smith vs. Karl Marx. Market failures: No market is truly “free.” Economic and finance inertia.
Week 3. Political theory overview.
Expanded look at ideologies. Popular vs. Elite rule. “Universalism" and “normal” as oppressive notions. Political philosophy principles. Macro vs. Micro part 2.
Week 4. A. Political governance systems and B. Finance.
Western governance and election systems. Finance and financial markets, rights vs. privileges, advantages for some, and derivatives.
Week 5. Public Policy, Reform Challenges, and Course Review.
US policy debates in 5 axes. Challenges for the American Left in public policy debate and reform. 99% vs. 1%. Course review.
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