Strangechord

This morning, I finished the 216-page rush that is Walking on Water: Reading, Writing, and Revolution by Derrick Jensen (nah, I’ve never mentioned him here before). Wow. It’s a must-read for anyone into writing and/or teaching. Jensen packs the book with his own experiences teaching the most offbeat writing classes ever, and his usual unflinching look at the culture of domination and inauthenticity within the educational system. It’s funny, moving, and profound. He writes on the final page, “If one of the most unforgivable sins is to lead people away from themselves, we must not forgive the processes of industrial education.” Highly, highly recommended.

I have the opportunity to do four credits of independent study in the spring with a favorite soc. professor at PSU. It would involve writing my own syllabus, choosing my own reading list, writing up my own research and/or conducting a project, and meeting with him once a week to check in and go over what I’m learning. As I can study anything I want (so long as it pertains to sociology), I’m very excited about exploring the concepts of unschooling and ecoliteracy as I am convinced they are key to the future of wholistic, authentic, sustainability education. Keep reading:
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