What Exactly Am I Looking At?

Welcome to my new experiment. The following entries you are about to read over the next few weeks will the product of my independent study, a 7-week study that will be carried out until the end of my graduate studies in May.

Why am I calling it an experiment?

1.)It's going to be interesting to see how far I can take myself in an educational context without classmates to bounce ideas off of, and without a professor to guide the way, frame the conversation, and "keep and eye" on my progress.

2.) This is more of an experiment than a traditional class. I have already begun to see my original game plan (my syllabus)organically shift and transform, which I'm really excited about.

But anyway, I feel like the Master's student in me is getting carried away, writing about the abstract before giving you anything tangible to sink your teeth into. Let me tell you about this independent study!

Here is what the original syllabus looked like:

Writing to Change the World

This independent study will allow the student to look at the power of the written word in social change as well as explore the importance of creativity in social justice work. It will also allow the student to sharpen their writing skills as well as their understanding of audience and connection.

*The layout for this class is based on Mary Pipher's book Writing to Change the World which was based on a class that she taught at the University of Nebraska Writers' Conference

Syllabus:

A weekly reflection will be kept throughout the 7 weeks. These reflections will be on the readings for the week. One reflection will be required for each reading. These reflections will be posted to the blog with a title to be yet determined at http://brandi-possibilities.blogspot.com/. Assignments will also be posted here. The final project will be posted in installments starting on the due date (the professor will get the full copy on this day.) The purpose of this is to create an audience for the students work. Writing can only create change, if there is an audience.
The final project is expected to be a polished final draft. Other smaller assignments are to be thought of as a work in progress, except for the Op-Ed to be submitted to the Telegram and Gazette.

Reading Throughout the Seven Weeks- Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within By: Natalie Goldberg

Week 1- Reading: Writing to Change the World By: Mary Pipher

Week 2- Reading: Freedom from Fear By: Aung San Suu Kyi (Memoir)

Week 3- Reading: Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps By: Ted Kooser
Assignment: Personal Essay 4-6 pages

Week 4- Reading: My Day: The Best of Eleanor Roosevelt's Acclaimed Newspaper Columns 1936-1962 By: Eleanor Roosevelt
Assignment- Op-ed to be submitted to the Telegram and Gazette

Week 5- Reading: The Little Prince By: Antoine Saint-Exepurey
Children's Story 4-6 pages

Week 6- Reading: What Are People For? By: Wendell Berry
Assignment- Speech

Week 7- Reading: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist-Fight in Heaven By: Sherman Alexie
Final Project: Final Project 10-15 page fiction piece

As I've pointed out this syllabus has already changed in my head, and in the spirit of the amazing social change lessons I received in Berkeley, I'm just going to let this study grow naturally. In order to do this I know I just have to hold strongly onto my objective and then pay attention to the world around me. I truly believe that when you have a clearly stated objective with which you are viewing the world, the answers will come to you. Your attention is focused and you aren't paying attention to things that are distractions.

Anyway, my objective is simple: Find authors who are reaching ordinary, public citizens with real social justice issues challenging hearts and minds, and then learn to do the same.

I am tired of reading journals and writing for academics. I've always been a writer and a story teller. I'm naive, yet intelligent enough, to know that a story can change the world. I've felt stories change me as an individual and I've witnessed stories change groups. I know I am good writer. It is a gift and it's been way too long since I've put it to use.

So, over the next few weeks you will be witness to my rambling reflections and hurried attempts at creation (oh the troubles with deadlines). I am thankful for your witness, but please feel free to join the conversation. You are the closest things I have to classmates on this adventure, and I need you. What are the use of thoughts with out questions and dialogue? My thoughts are always just the foundation to good ideas. I need others to flesh them out and make them clear.

Thanks for your companionship. And wish me luck!