Class: LAS301 “The Adult Learner” Text Saga by Fiona Staples (Artist) and Brian Vaughn (Writer). Image Comics. VERY IMPORTANT*** You will need EITHER Book 1 OR Volumes 1-3. The volumes are avail

Class: LAS301 “The Adult Learner”

Text Saga by Fiona Staples (Artist) and Brian Vaughn (Writer). Image
Comics. VERY IMPORTANT*** You will need EITHER Book 1 OR
Volumes 1-3. The volumes are available for FREE on Hoopla
Digital

Instruction: I have included the Readings from the teacher, but you might just need the text only! Also, the links you might don’t need them it just more information to look up!

Paradigms, Reality, Relations, and Research

Research as Curiosity >>  Research as Ceremony >>  Research as Contemplative Practice

The word Research comes from late 16th century: from obsolete French recherche (noun), researcher (verb), from Old French re- (expressing intensive force) + cerchier ‘to search’. (online etymological dictionary)

“If the research doesn’t change you, then you haven't done it right,” says Indigenous research methodologist and Canadian Cree, Shawn Wilson in the following lecture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXKuaNt6ST0Links to an external site. 

This video runs about 2 hours on single speed. Make a snack and get comfy. It's Worthwhile. And, it may challenge you. Do your best to stay present, notice what you notice, and take thorough notes.

If you find yourself wanting more on this topic, reach out and I will share Wilson's book with you. 

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Important Vocabulary:

Paradigm- a logical or conceptual framework. From a Latin word for "pattern" or "example" (https://www.etymonline.com/word/paradigm Links to an external site.) 

Epistemology- theories, roots, and paths of knowledge (https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=epistemology Links to an external site.) 

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Examples of Projects, Presentations, and Essays Involving Research: 

As you peruse the following links, notice what stirs something, what inspires you, and what challenges or evokes anger, too. These links may inform or inspire your research topic, strategies, methods, etc. 

When research and personal history intertwine: https://gay.medium.com/on-roots-and-research-b078ee3e3dc0Links to an external site.

Agricultural Mythbusting:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2W8dKdgGhcLinks to an external site. 

Research takes a walk, it crawls:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N7OnQkch7sLinks to an external site. 

When medical research gets personal: https://fenceportal.org/excerpt-blackfishing-the-iud/ Links to an external site. 

Compelled by a mysterious piece of art and undaunted by credentials: https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2020/11/18/the-secret-of-the-unicorn-tapestries/ Links to an external site. 

Zuihitsu, or following the strokes of the brush, to synthesize diverse threads: Liu - Aiiieeeee! as Intersectional Ecological Archive.pdf Download Liu - Aiiieeeee! as Intersectional Ecological Archive.pdf 

1st Assignment:

Contemplating Research: Integrating Personal Goals and Values: Shifting Paradigms

Philosophy is something that's inside of us.

In other words: the way we think about things impacts everything we do.

So, how did we come to think about things in the ways that we do?

In this week's forum, we'll dialogue about our assumptions, values, and relationships to reveal the hidden hierarchies that shape us. 

Once these hidden hierarchies are illuminated, we can begin to investigate their effects, take stock, and shift the paradigms we've outgrown. 

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Respond to the following in the form*** of your choice:

What do you think Wilson means by, "If the research doesn't change you, you've done something wrong," and what do you make of it?  Do you agree? Have you experienced being changed by research in the past?

Can you describe your worldview in just a few sentences?  

What is the philosophy behind why you do what you do? 

What philosophical systems have shaped your life so far? 

What are the main assumptions behind your personal research paradigm? 

How is your worldview reflected in your view of research and in your methods of acquiring knowledge?

How is your personal mission reflected in and/or informed by your worldview? 

How do your relations inform your ways of knowing?

Where and how might your relations make their way into your research? 

What is your relationship with ceremony? What does the word evoke for you? 

In what ways will you live your research and how do you need to prepare yourself and your space? 

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Then, respond to at least 3 colleagues with thoughtful questions, resource recommendations, and/or further ideas.

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***A FEW NOTES on form:

• You don't necessarily need to answer every question explicitly, however, you certainly can take that approach. Sit with each of these questions and see what comes up, and where the questions take you. This, too, is research.

• As for form, going forward I invite you to participate in the discussion in a way that is informed by your strengths and favored learning styles: you can opt for a written response (shoot for 400-600 words), or you can make a slideshow, you can draw a comic or infographic, you can record a video or audio and respond verbally, or something else. 

• Make sure to cite any sources you draw from

2nd Assignment

Research Proposal

Write a 1–2-page informal research proposal outlining the topics and questions you'd like to explore independently for the next few weeks. Include a few ideas for sources. Discuss the kinds of research methods you might use, and what thoughts you have about how you will present your research a couple of weeks from now.

If you have any questions for me regarding this creative research experiment, you can include them in this proposal. 

Make sure to pick something that you are NOT already an expert in. It may be related to your field or something that you have some knowledge of. 

If you're feeling uncertain, review the preceding pages in this module.

The most important aspect of this project will be documenting your process and synthesizing what you glean from your sources.

Your presentation will weave your personal story (or WHY you chose to research this thing) with your research process, so don't worry about perfection or getting all the answers. This project does not require the production of a polished product. Instead, its intention is to ignite your fires of curiosity. A successful project involving research might lead to years of experimentation and learning. 

This week we'll get creative, continue work on our personal projects, learn a bit about SAGA and begin reading it. 

To-do this week:

• Peruse the introductory materials for SAGA

• READ volume 1 (or chapters 1-6)

• Participate in the weekly discussion forum

• Engage in some creative experiments

In this podcast I talk with another SHU prof about SAGA and why I think it's an essential read (it's on the long side): https://anchor.fm/comics-in-motion-podcast/episodes/Indie-Comics-Spotlight-Saga-by-Fiona-Staples-and-Brian-K--Vaughan-e1hcnm0/a-a7peobq Links to an external site. 

The following videos and articles offer further insight into the methods, motivations, and inspiration behind SAGA. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GxREXx054YLinks to an external site. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BY2XeNczTkLinks to an external site. 

https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/saga-comics-artist-fiona-staples-sketches-script.html Links to an external site. 

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/03/saga-comic-series-image-issue-50/556481/ Links to an external site. 

https://medium.com/meanwhile/the-unique-letter-column-in-brian-k-vaughan-and-fiona-staples-saga-c29a7ec4c220 Links to an external site. 

Creative Invitations for You

This week, I invite you to engage in some experiments and exercises to flex and build the muscles of creativity.

Peruse the videos, ideas, and invitations below.

Pick 1 or 2 experiments to try.

Notice what you notice. They can be totally new to you or familiar and forgotten practices.

These exercises and experiments may directly contribute to, inform, or inspire your personal project work, but it certainly doesn't have to. In fact, engaging in free creative play with no productivity expectations or work implications can be deeply rejuvenating.

If something feels forced, or you're struggling to stay interested, it's OK to quit and try something different!

Step out of your comfort zone!

Get psyched up about your creative potential by watching this 15-minute TED talk on Images by Lynda Barry:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmT4wLWksOw Links to an external site.

Want to draw along with Lynda? Watch this 20 minute video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjofUnKK20MLinks to an external site.

Here's a focused ~10 minute video exercise that combines writing and drawing: https://www.graphicmedicine.org/drawing-together-6-five-lives/Links to an external site.

A compendium of doodling exercises w/ videos: https://www.creativelive.com/blog/5-drawing-exercises-turn-make-anyone-artist/Links to an external site.

More drawing and writing (a surrealist experiment mixer): https://www.ideo.com/blog/5-creative-exercises-from-the-surrealistsLinks to an external site.

Multi-modal Art Therapies to explore: https://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/expressiveartinspirations/100-art-therapy-exercises.htmlLinks to an external site.

Here are some other ideas to get creative and tap into the multiple intelligences:

• Put on some music and move

• Play an instrument (with no expectations of greatness, it can be noise!)

• Sing a song

• Rhyme

• Play with play doh or clay

• Whittle or carve with wood

• Build with Lego, blocks, or something else

• Take a photography walk (go for a walk and take photos)

• Collage or scrapbook

• Collect leaves, rocks, or feathers to sort or arrange

• Make something out of recylced mateirals (ie: trash or found objects)

• Make a short film

• You don't necessarily need to answer every question explicitly, however, you certainly can take that approach if you prefer the structure. Sit with each of these questions and see what comes up, and where the questions take you. This, too, is research.

• As for form, going forward I invite you to participate in the discussion in a way that is informed by your strengths and favored learning styles: you can opt for a written response, or make a slideshow, you can draw a comic or info-graphic, make a collage, you can make a video, engage verbally through an audio recording (check out the podcast feature), or something else (don't be afraid to lean into your strengths, intuitions, inspirations). 

• Make sure to cite any sources you draw from

What are your previous experiences reading comics and graphic novels? 

What do you make of SAGA so far? 

Are there characters you identify with? Or characters who you are put off by? Who and why? 

Do you find our narrator reliable so far? Why or why not?

What elements of this story challenge you? What elements surprise or delight you? 

What are you noticing? About yourself? About SAGA?

What creative or contemplative practices have you tried this week? (They don't have to just be from the list I've offered, remember the tree, and your own practices ... and of course, feel welcome to show us)

How is your independent project progressing thus far? What challenges are you facing? What breakthroughs or joys have emerged? 

This week we will:

• Read SAGA Vol2 (chapters 7-12)

• Study Logical Fallacies in order to free ourselves from their wily grasp

• Participate in the discussion forum

• Continue working on our independent projects involving research

• Complete a short mid-term self-evaluation

Please review the videos, readings, and podcasts in order to learn about and gain a deeper understanding of logical fallacies.

Logical Fallacies Part I (Links to an external site.) and Part II (Links to an external site.)

In Fact: Part I (Links to an external site.), Part II (Links to an external site.) , and Part III (Links to an external site.)

Full List of Fallacies (Links to an external site.)

The Fallacy Fallacy Podcast

https://youarenotsosmart.com/2016/01/22/yanss-067-the-fallacy-fallacy/ Links to an external site. 

Here's one more modality of fallacies: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com Links to an external site. 

• Respond to the following QUESTions by Tuesday and participate in 3+ exchanges by Sunday night.

  • Quality exchanges involve replying to a colleague's post with intention, your own questions, etc. AND continuing the conversation beyond that single response (ie: responding to the folks that comment on your post and those who engage with your comments as well)

• As for form, going forward I invite you to participate in the discussion in a way that is informed by your strengths and favored learning styles: you can opt for a written response, or make a slideshow, you can draw a comic or info-graphic, make a collage, you can make a video, engage verbally through an audio recording (check out the podcast feature), or something else (don't be afraid to lean into your strengths, intuitions, inspirations). 

• Make sure to cite any sources you draw from

• How would you define a logical fallacy?

• Is this week your first time encountering and recognizing logical fallacies? (as an entity, we've ALL encountered them, even if we haven't recognized them!)

• What, if any, value have you found in learning about logical fallacies?

• Where have you encountered logical fallacies this week?

  • Provide 2+ examples. Name the TYPE of logical fallacy, and where you encountered it.

  • Places ripe for fallacy encounters include SAGA, the news, yourself, your RESEARCH, other media sources, and conversations (make sure you can quote directly without compromising anyone's anonymity whom we may know).

• How is your personal project evolving?

  • What is one breakthrough or highlight you've had this week?

  • What opposing viewpoints have you encountered and how are you integrating these viewpoints?

  • Where are you finding challenges or obstacles in the process?

  • What questions, ideas, or seeds do you have that may benefit from another perspective?

    • This is a great opportunity to bounce around ideas, questions, and places where you're stuck as your colleagues have a rich breadth and depth of knowledge!

  • What do you need in order to feel confident presenting your work so far NEXT WEEK?

• Mid-term Self-Assessment

1. Reflect on each of the following learning outcomes and on your understanding of and ability to:

• • •  Apply the principles of adult development to better enable
      you own personal and professional growth patterns.

    • Interpret you own personal learning style(s) and
      understand how that style affects their approach to
      college-level or professional learning.

    • Apply critical thinking skills to your personal and
      professional lives.

    • Demonstrate an ability to do successful library research.

    • Synthesize and integrate differing viewpoints and recognize
      the value of diverse viewpoints.

1. Compose a few sentences reflecting on your progress, challenges, and questions regarding each of these learning outcomes in any format you like. 

2. Revisit your discussion posts from the past weeks and reflect on your evolution as a learner. Take notes for yourself and include any relevant quotes in reflecting on the above outcomes. (It may also be worthwhile to note sections of your discussion posts that may be useful in writing your personal mission statement.)

Pluralism, So What?

Wind your way through the following pluralistic resources and questions.

Start with this video that delves into definitions and the importance of pluralism:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs0SndqWgXoLinks to an external site. 

• Consider the role of ARCHIVES and the act of archiving in your own life. Where does pluralism exist within your personal archive? Where are there opportunities to integrate and welcome more pluralism in your life?

Then read this profile in pluralism: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/profiles-in-pluralism-ilyse-r-morgenstein-fuerst/ Links to an external site. 

• Pay special attention to this question and consider its possible answers for yourself throughout the week: How can small, seemingly insignificant acts accumulate over time to create meaningful change? 

Pluralism and intersectionality are like the interconnecting strands of a double helix. Listen to this podcast episode on intersectionality and study the show notes: https://keepingit101.com/e202 Links to an external site.(~60 min)

• In what ways might your personal research already integrate and/or benefit from increased intersectionality?

• What ways of thinking are absent from your archives? In other words-- consider the phrase, "if you can see it you can be it" ... who and what in your personal archive can't bee seen? Can you imagine into who or what may be absent? Or consider the influences within your archive that have allowed you to see and therefore be in a particular way?

Watch this interview that touches on the value of representation in children's literature as well as inter-generational relationships:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1jYpHdq3lkLinks to an external site.(~20 min)

• Teamwork makes the dream work!

• Where do you see opportunities to connect with stories that aren't your own and learn from them? 

• How do inter-generational relationships contribute to your own well-being or lack thereof?

Presenting Our Personal Projects Involving Research

Post an essay in the text box, upload a file, or otherwise link to us your presentation.

If you need a refresher on the specifics of this assignment, check here.

Include any specific questions you have for us or challenges that you would specifically like constructive feedback on.

5th Assignment

Fill out the following rubric for yourself. You can write your responses on a fresh document, upload a copy with your answers highlighted, record audio or video of your answers, or add your marks in the text window.

RUBRIC 301- Personal Project Involving Research.pdf

Here is a picture of the Rubric

6th Assignment

Final SAGA Discussion

Here are some Saga-related questions/ topics for our final book discussion:

You don't need to answer every question, and feel free to digress as you're inspired to do so. 

Has your reaction to and feelings toward Prince Robot shifted, and if so, how? What do you make of his role in all this at this juncture as his story unfolds?

Do you find that the stories depictions of a full spectrum of sex and sexuality are serving the story or a larger purpose? Why or why not? And, how so?

So, our travelers finally make their way to Quietus! What are your impressions of the place, of Oswald? How does he live up and defy your stereotypes about writers?

What are your thoughts on the role of his romance novels in their world?

I'm thinking especially about Granny's initial reaction to the book that brought our starstruck lovers together, and how her perspective develops as she reads more and gets acquainted with Oswald. I wonder if this is an apt corollary for how someone can grapple with opposing viewpoints IRL?

Speaking of writers, or journalists more specifically, what do you make of Upsher and Doth, their quest, and how they are viewed by different facets of society? Has their story influenced your view of tabloids in our own society? And, if so, how?

What do you make of the commentary on the roles of literature and journalism in individual and cultural change? Specifically, the influence and importance of what is considered Tabloid, pulp, or low-brow literature (such as commercial romance novels, bodega mysteries, comics, etc)?

Do you think that this story is reminiscent of, or an effective twist on the classic Romeo and Juliet wherein the sweethearts manage to live and bring their families together? Why or why not?

Taking that idea further, how has your view of graphic novels evolved to this term? Do you consider them as important as the "classics" (as designated by the dominant canon)? Why or why not?

Many would argue that there are only a handful of stories that get told and retold in myriad different ways over time. Are there other "classics" or archetypal stories front literature, film, and elsewhere that come to mind as you're reading Saga?

What are your thoughts on the Sophie, The Will, and Gwendolyn developments? Are you satisfied so far? Why or why not?

Will you keep reading? Why or why not?

7th Assignment

Discussion Board

Here are some questions to get the reflective wheels turning:

• What have you learned about yourself these past weeks?

• How have you integrated your personal learning styles and personality type in life and in this course? How might you continue to grow this skill in the future?

• What challenged you the most about this course, how did you work through (or with) those challenges, and where are you in relation to them now? (If you are comfortable sharing)

• How have you changed in the course of this class?

• What breakthroughs, celebrations, and epiphanies have you experienced this term?

• What would you tell your week one self or a new student entering this class?

• Where do you see yourself going next in terms of lifelong learning endeavors, creative projects, or personal growth?

• What inspiring resources, readings, videos, music, or other nuggets would you like to share here?

As always, follow your own post with a 3+ quality exchanges.

You don't need to answer every question, and may feel free to digress from them entirely if something else is on your mind. 

If you're so moved, you're also welcome to share any personal plugs, websites, projects, contact info, etc.

In order to receive full credit, this essay must

• be in APA formatLinks to an external site.

  • That said, you're welcome to engage the creative and unconventional when it comes to form within the APA style (ie: employ a zuihitsu technique, create a series of vignettes, utilize footnotes, include visual aids or images (in addition to at least 5 pages of text), etc ... reach out with any questions about this)

• include a cover page and reference page

• include a minumum of 7 sources 

  • one of these sources must be the Dominican ClassroomDownload Dominican Classroom

• be 5-7 pages 

  • Please note: papers that are not a minimum of five pages will not earn a passing grade.  The cover page and reference page do NOT count toward the total page count.

• cite the course materials that you have chosen to use in APA format

• be turned into the assignment post in Week 7 by midnight on our last day of class. 

Ask yourself, how will I use the course materials to reach the goals I've set in my personal mission statement? The short answer to this important question is your thesis statement. The essay, then, supports this thesis statement by using the ideas and information you've gained from the course. 

Remember, you use goals to help you live your mission. This paper is not a list of goals. Goals will be included, and discussed, but should clearly support the mission stated in your first paragraph and tie the rest of the paper back to it. 

Demonstrate, through your essay, what you've understood and synthesized in this course. (This is not simply a book report or a summary of the readings and videos.) Go beyond simple recall and comprehension all the way to the top of Bloom's Taxonomy. Links to an external site.

This is a look into your future, not a tour of your past. 

Utilize the discussion posts, journal entries, and notes taht you've already written these past weeks to aid the process. You've already built a wealth of material towards this essay.

Further question to consider:

What do you imagine for yourself?

What do you desire?

What nourishes, delights, and energizes you?

Why are you moved to your particular purpose or mission?

How do you relate with yourself and your purpose on a daily basis?

Who inspires you, and why?

These are the trail markers on the path to your purpose. 

Personal Mission Resources and Nuggests of Inspiration:

inspirational stories (Links to an external site.) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCOuWxEm6QLinks to an external site.