LIB367
Telling Our Stories: Leaving Our Mark
We will focus on stories we want to tell about our lives: what we’ve done, what we've learned, what we treasure, what we want to pass on. Each class will involve writing in response to two or three prompts, and sharing what we've written in small groups. We will also develop one of our writings further, for the whole class to read and comment on. Everyone who wants to write about their lives is welcome, whether or not you've taken writing courses before. It's a great place to start and to keep your writing momentum going.
Note: This course includes in-class discussion and written exercises. But this is not a writing workshop, and does not include individual feedback from the instructor on works-in-progress. New and repeating students are welcome.
A $50 discount will be applied automatically for adults 55+.
This course will be offered online on Wednesdays, May 7–Jun 11, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced with weekly virtual class
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $189
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
- Wed, May 7, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, May 14, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, May 21, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, May 28, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, Jun 4, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, Jun 11, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
Course outline
- Week 1
In our introductory class, we will begin with a check-in circle, learning about who we are and what our writing goals are. We will plunge into writing that will anchor us in the present moment. - Week 2
Visualizing your audience—who do you want to read your stories? We will write about the stories that have impacted us and imagine someone reading our stories. We will play with writing styles and form. - Week 3
Finding your child voice—telling a story from a child’s perspective—how do children see and experience the world? Recovering the things we’ve lost and bringing them to light through our listening and writing. What can’t be expressed in words? - Week 4
Voices of rebellion and resistance—what are the stories from our youth and the lessons we learned? How have these experiences shaped who we are? What have we kept and what have we let go of and why? - Week 5
Accomplishments and accomplices—how have we been influenced and impacted by the people with whom we have worked, lived, played, travelled and studied? How has our relationship to place affected the choices we have made in our lives? - Week 6
Uncovering our treasures—a place of reflection on what we have uncovered and what is still waiting to be discovered; a place of desire—what is calling you at this point in time; your ongoing journey.
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Develop your writing ideas into words on the page
- Identify your gifts as a storyteller
- Gauge how your writing affects others
- Apply what you have learned from your peers to your own writing
How you will learn
- Participation in weekly Zoom meetings, including small-group “break-out rooms”
- Participation in class check-ins
- Timed writing exercises in class
- Development of writing, and uploading it to the online class discussion pages
- Sharing feedback with fellow students orally, and on the online discussion pages
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.