Description
1. Writing as Social Action
Week 1 Discussion
(Discussion Board Post) (Original Content Only) (500 words) (APA format) (in-text citations are a must)
Discussion: Writing in the World
Context
This week we will introduce ourselves to one another by reflecting on and listing the issues that matter to us. Your final portfolio requirement for this course will include a Writing in the World Plan & Presentation (link to assignment in course overview). Use this week’s discussion post as a way to begin to think about your own writing as social action plan & presentation.
Task
What are the issues that matter to you? Take some time to list them in this week’s discussion post as a way to introduce yourself to the class. In addition, list ten things you could improve in your own life to create a more just society. (For example, learn to be more tolerant of those different from you; practice charity, etc.). How did the required reading you selected for this week inform or inspire your responses to the above reflection?
–adapted from “Writing for Social Justice” (Maggie Sokolik)
2. Writing as Social Action
Week 1 Discussion
(Discussion Board Reply) (Original Content Only) (250 words per reply) (APA format) (in-text citations are a must)
My Ever-Evolving List
Contains unread posts
Mindy Christiansen posted Aug 28, 2024 9:47 PM
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As a child, my list of issues was directed to having more money for candy, not being chased by my older brother and lots of playtime with my friends. In my twenties, while I still didn’t have enough money for candy, what mattered to me had changed to reflect my life as a single mother, especially since there weren’t many avenues for support, emotional, financial or otherwise during that time. Now as a member of the senior community, my list has evolved once again and includes matters that concern not only the present but my future as well. My current list consists of the following matters of immediate importance to me:
No Taxation on Social Security Payments
Livable Social Security Payments
Term Limits for Legislative & Judicial branches of government
Equal Pay for Equal Work
Affordability in Healthcare, Insurance and Senior Housing
Unfortunately, these are not exclusively my concerns but a reflection of the constant topic of discussion within the senior community. However, rather than being solely contemplative, our voices need to be heard through action. Such actions as:
VOTING in Primaries
VOTING in Local Elections
VOTING in Presidential Elections
Always Respecting Differences of Opinions
Assisting Others Who Need Avenues of Support
Engaging in Volunteer Activities
Advocating for Those With No Voice
Participating in Random Acts of Kindness
Attending Charitable Events & Seminars
Remain Eternally Mindful of the Golden Rule, Treating Others the Way You Would Want to be Treated
Making a change can start with one but it takes a united village to make it a reality.
As profoundly written by Mary Pipher in her text, Writing to Change the World. who doesn’t want to transform the world, who doesn’t want to be heard? (pp 1-16) I found Pipher”s words inspiring as well as the necessary fuel to continue writing in regards to creating change. The adage that the pen is mightier than the sword resonates through her powerful words, especially as it has always been a deep belief of mine as well.
I firmly believe the purest essence of life is kindness. It is a simple act with a tremendous impact!
Works Cited
Pipher, Mary. Introduction. “What We Alone Can Say.” Writing to Change the World, Penguin, 2007, pp. 1-16.
3. Writing as Social Action
Week 1 Discussion
(Discussion Board Reply) (Original Content Only) (250 words per reply) (APA format) (in-text citations are a must)
Issues that matter to us and what we would like to improve
Contains unread posts
MaryAnn Mace posted Aug 28, 2024 5:18 PM
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I wanted to review some of the readings before making this post. Just to open up my mind and think in alignment with the question. I was particularly interested in the article Contemplatives in Action which includes the comment “your active life feeds your contemplative life and your contemplative life informs your active life.” As a quirk of life, the universities where I’ve studied have all been Jesuit institutions. Not planned, it’s just happened but I am the better for it.
In the reading Engaged Pedagogy there is the thought: Professors who embrace the challenge of self-actualization will be better able to create pedagogical practices that engage students, providing them with ways of knowing that enhance their capacity to live fully and deeply. The comments from these readings voice the issues that matter to me.
I enjoyed this article very much and couldn’t help but compare the author’s experience with my own. I am older than the author and at the time of my undergrad and early career years (which happened to be in teaching), it was about imparting knowledge. Self-actualization never came into the picture. Now for me, I think self-actualization is important.
A few issues that matter to me:
Live to our potential
Fairness in opportunity and education
Our bodies = our decision
Self-actualization
DEI – this concept is becoming a little overused, but it is one that is close to my heart
Values – loyalty, honesty and fairness
Ten things to improve in my life:
Patience with others and myself
Tolerance – always a daily practice to apply
Serenity of mind and where I am in my life
Learn, learn, learn
Generosity of thought – minimize criticism
Acceptance of my life history and where it has led me
Kindness – nonjudgemental with others and myself
Minimize self-criticism
Make others aware of their gifts and acknowledge mine
Leave others feeling good about themselves and their specialness
less
4. Writing as Social Action
(Original Content Only) (2 pages) (APA format) (In-text citations are a must) Using the Dayton Memorial Library literary databases and the required texts for the course, research a social justice literary movement, author, text(s), or literary time period that might serve as a focus for your final portfolio research essay, creative text, or pedagogical materials. Write a description of your Final Portfolio Project, including a description of your interests and motivations, questions at issue, and additional resources with which you might engage.