Literature and Writing   

How many times has an adult in your life told you to just “look it up in the dictionary” assuming that what you found would be the ultimate truth? But who decided what that truth really is? In this class we study the history of dictionaries and definitions to illuminate just how fungible the effort really is. Dictionaries are products of time and culture, and often deliver more history than truth. Words alter how we view our culture and each other. Explore the makers of words and definitions that end up affecting - pretty much everything.

In this course students will learn and understand the unique contribution to the Sierra region made by immigrants from Cornwall, a Celtic region of the United Kingdom. Students will learn how circumstances in Cornwall, and especially mineral wealth, prepared a people to become industrial workers and part of the Industrial Revolution as it spread to the American West and the Sierra. Students will learn of the unique contribution of the Cornish to the region, and how their personal and family histories, their customs, and folkways, helped to shape the region and continue to influence it today. Finally, students will learn of the continuing Cornish presence in the region and the special relationship between towns like Grass Valley and Nevada City and towns in Cornwall.

Everyone has a story to share. Stories define our lives and relationships with family members and friends. Where to begin? How to build an engaging and meaningful story? This course uses mind-mapping strategies and memory prompts to help identify, develop and organize a collection of stories. Practice looking at stories from different perspectives and learn what details to include that make stories come alive. Class features writing time during each session. Informational handouts are provided as reference.
*This class is being recorded. 

In these times of dire environmental predictions, when our beloved Sierra Nevada ecosystems are in obvious distress, it's time we educated ourselves. Join me to take a deep dive into the mysteries of trees.

"Finding The Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest" by Suzanne Simard is a fascinating read. Simard, a pioneer on the frontier of plant communication and intelligence, had to break into the "man's world" of forestry. Simard is a gifted storyteller, who shows us how forest communities communicate across species lines to support one another through hard times. We humans need to join this vital conversation.

Botanist and naturalist, Joe Medeiros, will join Joan Griffin to share his expertise. A book discussion class, we'll meet 3 times in 5 weeks. Videos and photos will enhance our experience and understanding.

In these times of dire environmental predictions, when our beloved Sierra Nevada ecosystems are in obvious distress, it's time we educated ourselves. Join me to take a deep dive into the mysteries of trees.
"Finding The Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest" by Suzanne Simard is a fascinating read. Simard, a pioneer on the frontier of plant communication and intelligence, had to break into the "man's world" of forestry. Simard is a gifted storyteller, who shows us how forest communities communicate across species lines to support one another through hard times. We humans need to join this vital conversation.
Botanist and naturalist, Joe Medeiros, will join Joan Griffin to share his expertise. A book discussion class, we'll meet 3 times in 5 weeks. Videos and photos will enhance our experience and understanding.
*This class is being recorded. 

This beginning class will focus on the basics of poetry writing, particularly the use of image, sound, rhythm and density. We'll explore different poetic forms and discuss poems by well-known poets, noting how they successfully created memorable works. If participants are interested, we may also discuss marketing their poetry.
Please keep in mind that poetry is a deep personal sharing of your world, which, when successful, may involve a certain amount of personal risk.
Be willing to share your efforts with others in class.
(On-ground) Membership not required for tuition-free courses. 

This class is designed for students who have already taken Beginning Memoir Writing. We will continue work with your memoirs, introducing new writing concepts as necessary. Every week participants will be given a prompt, which they may wish to respond to.
(On-ground) Membership not required for tuition-free courses. 

Antonine Maillet, storyteller, scholar, and university president, is the first Acadian writer to formally write about Acadia and Acadians. The primarily lyrical, poetic, and theatrical Acadian literature of the Canadian Maritime Provinces that emerged during the mid-20th century is examined and critiqued, revealing the economic and social places of Acadians residing among dominant Anglophone populations. The emerging Acadian novel will be studied alongside the music of Edith Butler, short films, a modern critical anthology, and supplemental materials contextualizing Acadia and Acadians.
(On-ground) Membership not required for tuition-free courses. 

Antonine Maillet, storyteller, scholar, and university president, is the first Acadian writer to formally write about Acadia and Acadians. The primarily lyrical, poetic, and theatrical Acadian literature of the Canadian Maritime Provinces that emerged during the mid-20th century is examined and critiqued, revealing the economic and social places of Acadians residing among dominant Anglophone populations. The emerging Acadian novel will be studied alongside the music of Edith Butler, short films, a modern critical anthology, and supplemental materials contextualizing Acadia and Acadians.
(On-ground) Membership not required for tuition-free courses.