Version:
1/18/12

picture of the week

thought-bite of the week:

"Everything is interrelated. I must find out about the unity of nature."
(Helferich epigraph; Walls, 36)

mini-text of the week (start):

"From my earliest days I felt the urge to travel to distant lands seldom visited by Europeans… "

Humboldt, "Personal Narrative" (read more)

<< Humboldt, 1806, by Friedrich Georg Weitsch (1758-1828) [0070]
click on image to see full-size graphic

(X') = anticipated time in minutes (total=75)

(0001) etc.=item in Humboldt Project document collection

Key to notes added AFTER the class meets:

√ = topic / activity that was adequately dealt with during the class

+ = topic that was started but needs more attention & will be resumed at next / subsequent meeting(s)

- = a topic / activity that was proposed though not begun, but will be taken up later

Struckthrough text like this = a topic / activity that was proposed but not included is not going to be taken up after all

Italic bold green text like this = comments after the meeting

(5') √Brief course introduction & personal introductions, with icebreaker: When did you take the biggest trip of your life? What do you mean by "big"?

(10') √Course overview: Organizing principle is sustainability (Environment, Economy, Equity). Focuses: Humboldt himself; the Nineteenth Century; science, humanities, social sciences; America & the world (especially Europe), past & present. It was different Then and There, it is different There and Now. Discussion of current controversial issues is welcome, but need to stay on the main theme as expressed in the course title. Active participation and teamwork necessary. How to get a B: participate actively in classes and mentor workshop, and do all the reading (prove it!) and assignments at the performance level "sufficient". How to get an A: AmAze me. Specific activities, assignments and grades.

(5') +Thought-bite of the week (see above): "Everything is interrelated." Do you believe it? Do you believe others believe it? What do you and others mean by "interrelated" and "unity of nature"? "Nature"? Where do you and others "find out" about that unity? How does this relate to sustainability?

(20') √Biographical sketch of Humboldt and his work (Wikipedia). The course website (you're on it), the Humboldt Project website, short description of other resources. Our main print resource: The Helferich biography.

(5') +Importance of teamwork and, whether during group or individual work, recognizing and then bringing forth your individual experiences and skills. Short example: You think you may have taken a course that relates to our course. Find someone else who has taken that or a similar course; report back.

(15') √Intake questionnaire (experiences) with writing sample, possibly with partner interview;

(15') √Preview of mentor workshops and next class meeting