Exco/Fall 06 Classes
from the Macalester Public Knowledge Base
BECOME A TEACHER!
Do you have a unique area of expertise that you could teach a class about?
Consider teaching a class with the Macalester Experimental College! The Experimental College (aka EXCO) is a space where anyone can take a class or teach a class and all classes are free. EXCO aims to promote all kinds of knowledge and perspectives, particularly ones that have been historically marginalized.
Classes in the past have included a wide variety of subjects from theater of the oppressed to the history of New York City to bike mechanics. We welcome applications from all Twin Cities community members, Macalester staff, faculty and students and have a limited budget to provide stipends for non-Macalester teachers.
Applications for spring semester courses (February to April) are available from Jason Rodney (jrodney@macalester.edu, 651-696-7518), Miriam Larson (mlarson@macalester.edu, 217-390-7240), or online at EXCOtc.org and will be due Friday, December 8th.
Add your course proposal to this website! Hit edit this page and then add your class, summary, teacher, ideal number of credits, brief reading list, etc under the section entitled "Potential Courses."
Return to the Exco page.
[edit] The Great Law of Peace: Past, Present and Future
Teacher: Ray Tricomo, of Turtle Island Multiversity, more info: http://www.kalpulli.net/
When: Tuesdays, 6-8pm Where: Old Main Fourth Floor Lounge Macaleseter College 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul
TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS, PLEASE SHOW UP TO THE FIRST CLASS ON SEPTEMBER 19th.
Description: It is more than abundantly clear, that a holocaust was born at 1 a.m. on Friday, October 12, 1492. It is more than abundantly clear, that a holocaust was born at 1 a.m. on Friday, October 12, 1492. The heart of our tragedy contains many chambers; racism, imperialism, misogyny, environmental degradation, but I should like to suggest a fifth manifestation of our tragedy - it is exceptionalism. The antidote is history from an indigenous perspective. We are told that the original league of five nations came into existence on Monday, August 31st, 1142 A.D. on the South shore of Onadaga Lake, outside of what is now Syracuse, NY. This course will explore the history of the long-lasting democratic Iroquois confederation, which served as a model for the authors of the Constitution.
[edit] Personal and Social Transformation: Effecting Change in Complex Systems through Gentle Action
(formerly Creating a Compassionate Society)
Dr. Michael Obsatz, Associate Professor of Sociology, Macalester College
Contact obsatz@macalester.edu (763-522-4564)
Available for up to 4 credits (Mike able to sign off for independent study credit)
When: Wednesdays 7-9pm Where: Carnegie, Rm 404 Macalester College 1600 Grand Ave, St. Paul
The term 'gentle action' was coined by physicist F. David Peat (colleague of the late David Bohm). Drawing on chaos/complexity theory, Peat describes a way of systems transformation that is coordinated from the bottom up. This is in sharp contrast with the top-down power structure typical of our society. This course will combine a modern understanding of systems dynamics with five elements of a balanced life drawn from the example of Albert Schweitzer: academics, arts, spirituality, service, and connectedness to the natural world. Arising from the last of these, Schweitzer's guiding ethic of Reverence for Life provides an essential tool for systems transformation. Akin to Peat's observation that transformation can only come from within a system--it can never be imposed from without--Schweitzer's ethic of interdependence and relationship offers us a means to achieve positive change in situations where we may previously have felt powerless and disenfranchised. Students will study systems dynamics (physical, biological, personal, social, political, and economic) and investigate modes of systems transformation through readings, journaling, discussion, and independent or small group research. A final integrative paper will be required. Classes will meet Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00, location to be determined. This course is the first component of a two-part offering, the second part being an internship in Spring 2007, which will seek to apply the learning acquired in the first course to an independently designed action service project. This course, however, may be taken without the second component.
Some books may include:
- Environmental issues
- Karen Warren -- Eco-Feminism, Fast Food Nation Developmental Issues
- Erikson -- Childhood and Society,
- Obsatz -- Raising Nonviolent Children in a Violent World,
- Pollack -- Real Boys
- Pipher -- Reviving Ophelia,
- Coloroso -- Kids are Worth It
- Real -- I Don't Want to Talk About It,
- Walsh -- Why Do They Act that Way?
- Social Issues
- Lasch -- Culture of Narcissism
- Schaef -- When Society Becomes and Addict
- Bly -- Sibling Society
- Walsh -- Selling Out America's Chiildren
- Payne -- The Culture of Poverty
- Personal Growth and Spiritual Issues
- Jampolsky -- Love is Letting Go of Fear
- Ruiz -- Four Agreements, Baldwin -- Calling the Cirlce
- Bradshaw -- Healing the Shame that Binds You
- Schaef -- Living in Process
- Maslow -- Farthest Reaches of Human Nature
- Williamson -- Return to Love
[edit] Sociology of Vocation
Taught by Mike Obsatz, Macalester Professor (4 credits if you want them as an independent study)
Contact obsatz@macalester.edu (763-522-4564)
Students will set up job shadowing of approximately ten professionals whose careers they are interested in finding out more about. They will interview each person and write a brief reflection on how each career relates to their vocational goals. The course will conclude with a longer reflection paper summarizing what the student has learned and how their vocational aspirations have progressed. The professor will meet regularly with each student and if there are multiple students taking the course, they will come together for occasional group discussions. Time and Location TBA.
[edit] Theater of the Oppressed, Exploration and Application
A collaborative course with Central High School Students.
Teacher: Eliza Rasheed, class of 2006, community activist, Macalester alum
Contact Eliza at cas_oya@yahoo.com
Time and Place TBA
Description:
The Theater of the Oppressed, established in the early 1970s by Brazilian director and political activist Augusto Boal, is a form of popular theater, of, by, and for people engaged in the struggle for liberation. Bridging the separation between actor (the one who acts) and spectator (the one who observes but is not permitted to intervene in the theatrical situation), the Theater of the Oppressed is practiced by "spect-actors" who have the opportunity to both act and observe, and who engage in self-empowering processes of dialogue that help foster critical thinking. (taken from Spunk Library's entry on Theater of the Oppressed).
[edit] Conflict Transformation Tools for Community-Building
Taught by Rev. James Radde, S.J., Catholic Chaplain, Macalester College
For more information: radde@macalester.edu (651) 696-6314
When: Wednesdays, 7 - 9 PM Where: Chapel Lounge. Macalester College.
Each of us is unique. We have differing points of view. Interpersonal conflict is normal for our species. An essential phase of group development is learning to deal with conflict among its members. This learning is needed by communities as diverse as social justice groups, coalitions, couples and choirs, so that commitment and effective collaboration can follow.
Participants in this interactive series will be affirmed in their present skills and experiment with new conflict transformation tools they can use immediately.
[edit] A History of New York City
Teachers: Nick Kahn and Mark Stonehill. Both of us are NYC-born and raised members of the Macalester Class of 2009.
Contact mstonehill@macalester.edu or nkahn@macalester.edu
Mondays, 3-4 PM, Chapel Basement
New York City is the only "world city" in the entire Western Hemisphere. How did it turn out this way? This interdisciplinary course will attempt to answer this question. Topics include geography, geology, literature, the city in and as the media, music, the importance of diversity and immigration, transportation, theatre, life outside of Manhattan, social space, the city after 9/11, demystifying stereotypes, and the city as the center of everything.
We will also have some readings and film and TV show screenings. Readings will include works by E. B. White, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Russell Shorto. Some of the movies include Gangs of New York, Annie Hall, and You’ve Got Mail. In addition, we will watch some episodes of TV shows such as Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City, and Law and Order.
Our final exercise will be about re-creating New York City. Based on the course, we want to know what you like, dislike, and how would you change the city.
[edit] Lacan Student Seminar
Meeting once a week, Mondays from 4:45 to around 6.
Contact dboehnke@macalster.edu
Lacan is one of the most brilliant and difficult theorists of the 20th Century, with crucial insights into contemporary society. We will be reading Lacan's seminars and perhaps some smaller essays, with between 25 and 50 pages of reading per class. Some experience with Lacan recommended but not required, contact jsawyer or dboehnke for introductory recommendations.
[edit] Anarchist Anthropology
Anarchist Anthropology, based on a syllabus developed by the AnarchistU in Toronto.
The class has begun meeting, and has a blog where readings and discussion ideas are posted. Newcomers are welcome, so email Erik, erriiik@riseup.net, if you are interested in participating.
[edit] Possible Future Courses
Let us know if you are interested in any of these by going to edit and posting a comment.
- Non-violence as a Way of Life
- Anti-racist workshops
- DanceSpace: Dance Collective
- MULCH
- Novel writing
- Film making- Rachel Harlos has expressed interested in learning this. Do you teach it??!
- Poetry for the People
- Bike Feminism: An Feminist Approach to Bike Activism and a Bike Mechanic Practicum by Claire Stoscheck - I would really like to take this course
- Cooking at Crocus Hill
- Longform Improvisational Comedy
- Writing Workshop
- Feminist Arts Collective
- Dream Act/Immigrant Rights
- Psychogeography
- Potential courses led by the Resource Center of the Americas: Solidarity in the Americas, Fair Trade and Trade Justice
- West Side Community Organization: Community Organizing
- History of Television
- Media Literacy
- Theater of the Oppressed
- Automotive science: a hands-on how-to course, would be offered J-Term only
- Imagination and social organization - This class has been approved and will begin on January 27th
