Oct 24, The Last Lecture, Introdution - pg 104

When this book first came out in 2008  it was a huge success. I decided to use it in this class because of the intimacy and joy it represents. It is another view of learning, teaching. We will take it slow. I know you could read the whole book in one sitting but I hope by breaking it into two weeks you will allow yourself time to reflect or recover if the stories are too intimate.
After responding to the reading the extra question is: what do you wish a professor or teacher had told you? What life advise would have helped?

If you have looked at the outline of the class you will notice that Nov5 says TAEA. This is the state wide conference for art education. I realize some of you will not be attending so this is a time for you to work on your final project. After TAEA we read "Learning with Heart" which is a funky, joy filled book of art making ideas. Then you have between Dec 3-10 to turn in your final project and the 150 word essay over your project.

Oct 15th, Sentipensante Pedagoggy, chapt 6,7

As Rendon wraps up her book I was moved by her poem "Who Am I" ( I apologize for not being able to figure out how to type it in its original language). It reminds me of the "I Am From" assignment we give all our students, grad and undergrad. If you have not been in a class that was started this way it simply a matter of beginning each sentence with the words "I am from". It is about food, places, people, memories. So mine might read:
I am from barbed wire fences and guard dogs
I am from a tribe of vagabonds in uniforms
I am from a West Texas beauty who never believe in herself
I am from an East Texas football player that flew beyond his dreams
and so on...

After responding to the two last chapters share your "I am from" thoughts. If you have already done one, remember this is a new time and you have grown or there is a new aspect of your being you can share. A minimum of 25 lines.

Think about the new (maybe old) ways of learning that have been represented in this book. Consider your sensing and thinking...go beyond the obvious.

Oct 8th, Sentipensante Pedagogy, chapt 4, 5

As you read this week's assignment I trust you are able to insert art when every another subject is the focus. This class is about the art of learning and how as artists we are always teaching and hopefully always learning ourselves.

The use of the word "invalidating" haunted me long after I finished re-reading these two chapters.  Old memories of being shamed in a classroom or in my home flooded back. I come from an alcoholic home and after years of therapy I understand the depth of family pain from this disease. I now know that the anger was a cry for help and it was not personal. As for the classroom I still feel the insults were personal and very directed. In high school and in college, especially while working on my MFA. It seems as if it was a badge of honor to be mean and cruel and heartless. I know I too fell into this model of critical dialog at times. I carry with me the awful  words I used toward others/their work as I hold on to the words said about my work.

What I try to remind myself is to simply ask "who made ruler", "who is reading the ruler" you are using to measure yourself. When I can give myself enough time to figure out the two above questions life is better and more art is completed.

I was lucky that when I entered the field of education, my first teacher was Ed Check. I was not only encouraged but supported in my outreach projects and approaches to teaching art. It is not easy to go against the norm and I would never ask anyone to risk their job over a social justice issue but l do believe you can do both.

So after responding how you felt about these two chapters share (if you are comfortable)  to the following:
1. Have you ever felt invalidated in an art class?
2. Is there a person or persons that help with your self confidence?
3. Is social justice or  a particular social theory  part of your creative work?
4. Is there an artist who works with social issues that you admire?

Oct 1, Sentipensante Pedagogy, Chapt 2,3

"learn how to learn" (p.60) What a great statement of purpose. What a powerful intent. 
I was in Northern New Mexico for the weekend to re-visit the site of many of my most powerful lessons.  Lessons on learning and living. It was a time warped journey into memories and realities.  It will take a while for me to process all I gained. I do know I returned to Lubbock calmer and more centered with a sketch book of ideas and notes and ramblings. And a distrust of any green chili that has canned mushrooms as an ingredient.

After reading these two chapters tell me your overall impression. And then pick two from the following three proposed assignments.
1. Based on Blake's class describe a lesson or a work of your own art using music and social history.
2. Following Cantu's lesson write about a personal photo that has influenced your art making, describe the artwork ..even if it is still only a sketch or idea.
3. In honor of Pulido imagine and share your cajita answering these five points: a. how do you image your graduate degree, b. who influenced you to begin your studies ,c. what is your personal emphasis/goal ,d.what do you see as your strengths/ limitations and e.how to you hope to make a difference

Sept 24, Sentipensante Pedagogy, Intro and chapter One

We are taking a very sharp turn as we begin reading our next book.  Don't give up on this book.  Know there is no test at the end. I am not expecting you be able to within in week totally get all of the fine points or even the larger points. Some of the information and pedagogy you may have studied before or it can all be new...just allow yourself time to think about what Rendon is saying.

The word Sentipensante was invented by fishermen of the Colombian Coast as a way of "defining language that speaks the truth" (Galeano, 1992) Simply, it means feeling/thinking. So try to allow Rendon's words to sit with you, carry them with you through your day and invite them into your dreams.

Aside from your overall response to the introduction and chapter one, answer the following three questions: (1) What is a poem or saying ...longer than sound bit...you would put over your door? refer to page 20,21 for guidance if need be. (2) How do you evaluate art work , your own, student work or work you may come across...what are the hidden rules you use? and (3) How do you take care of yourself?

Sept 17th, " Rural Studio"

Warm, dry and noble.....the requirements for the buildings  documented in this incredible book.  After reading your responses to "How Much House?" I no longer feel I have to give a long introduction to this reading.  You are all insightful with your comments. I have long held that the best teaching is to simply get out of the way of learning. You are all proof of that belief. So, read this book, sit with the stories and reflect on this community classroom.

Sept 10, How Much House?

Thanks for the great song lists. The TTU radio station does interviews with administrators and Deans asking for their top ten. As each song plays the guest talks about their life and why they picked the song. It really is interesting to suddenly see someone I had thought of as a stuffy business suite guy talk about rock/roll or heavy metal! I have also used this list making with my undergrad class. Once we all got past the laughter at my list (none of which their parents even listen to) we would pick one song from each persons list and play it. A wonderful way to learn a little more about each other and to hear some new music. In Visual Studies we have also use the concept of comfort food as a sharing event. Sometimes with the real food, other times with just the stories behind the food.  From fried chicken on Sundays to some strange jello concoction each food creation was clearly more about the memory and the community than the taste or nutritional value. It really does  not matter what the subject is, it is the story about the subject that holds the insight, because stories are the foundation of learning.

For this week read and respond to "How Much House' by Upe Flueckiger . Tell me what you think of the book. Include your emotional response to the concept of small living. Add any experience you may have had with retreats and solitude. How would you have liked or not liked being in Upe's class for the sustainable cabin? Finally, give me two historical references and one contemporary reference (not a site or a quote but a person/process) that relates to your art making or your research. And explain why it matters to you and how it plays into your creative work.