Storytelling and Identity - Fall 2023

we are made of stories

Category: Uncategorized

Prep Note 09-07-23

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On September 7, 2023

In Brice, prep note, Uncategorized

Although I expected this book to address the crimes and actions of the convicts, I was surprised to hear the men’s stories from their childhood.  After the first half of reading this book, I realized that social structures and environments are almost certainly determining factors into how peoples lives develop. Prevalent issues such as divorce, drug use, lack of a nuclear family, and emotional/physical abuse had a life changing impact on the lives of the storytellers.  For most of the convicts, the struggle to belong to a tight-knit family unit was the origin of emotional trauma.  As a result of emotional distress, these men took advantage of poor coping mechanisms in their environment, such as drugs, prostitution and crime.

When it comes to storytelling, this book unveils the high degree to which storytelling allows people to self reflect on their lives.  As the book progressed and the convicts continued to share their stories they became more open with David Coogan as well as themselves.

Prep 9/5

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On September 5, 2023

In Haven, Uncategorized

I thought the Portfolio Keeping book was really interesting. One of my favorite quotes was about the importance of “keepers.” Lighthouse keepers, secret keepers, and portfolio keepers all have the responsibility to keep watch over the things they’re entrusted with. As the keepers of our own portfolios, we almost give ourselves the responsibility to take good care of our work. No matter which kind of portfolio we choose to create, we have to treat our work with respect. Acknowledging the shortcomings of previous pieces is absolutely necessary, but it also probably shouldn’t be a scathing critique. Whatever self-examination and reflection we do, I think it’s important to realize that early pieces, however cringe-worthy they may seem now, were our best work back when we wrote them, and we still owe the work, and our past selves, a certain amount of respect.

The memory article reminded me of something I’ve heard: “If you want to get a good picture of someone, ask them about how they were born.” Nobody remembers it, so they only ever know the stories they are told about it, and how they then present the story can say a lot about them. I think the same thing applies to family lore. One side of my family tells the stories of our ancestors, and the other side has basically forgotten their family stories. It might not be a surprise that I feel more connected to the storytelling side.

Draft of Class Commitments

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On September 4, 2023

In Uncategorized

Here is a first draft of our commitments, based on the lists you wrote on the board:

Storytelling and Identity Fall 2023 Community Agreements

We commit to ground our community in respect. We will do this by:

  1. Saying hi and checking in with each other before class, using each others names
  2. Listening to hear first, and waiting  to think of a  response
  3. Not interrupting when someone is speaking
  4. Showing that we are listening by keeping eyes open to give full attention, and not looking at computer or phone while someone is talking.
  5. Avoiding side conversations when someone is talking
  6. Not leaving the classroom for a break unless absolutely necessary; being on time and not leaving early

 

 

We commit to learn together by:

  1. Checking Weekly Schedule and preparing for the class to come by doing the assignment there (reading or writing or listening) and posting a prep note on the blog
  2. Helping each other in and outside of class
  3. Bringing the text to class so we can be specific and analytical
  4. Taking good class notes and responding when assigned
  5. Valuing ideas, staying curious and open
  6. Looking for opportunities to respond and give appropriate feedback (acting as a peer, or as a reader of a draft, etc. but not as a judge)

I added this:

Professor Dolson commits to:

  1. be available for office appointments
  2. facilitate class discussion
  3. post assignments to weekly schedule at least 48 hours in advance of class
  4. always make a rubric available for any graded item
  5. listen
  6. call students by their preferred name
  7. give feedback when asked

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