Journals, Blogs, and Memoir

"Were it possible to represent those times exactly to those who did not see them…"

— Daniel Defoe, A Journal of the Plague Year, 1722

In this writing-meets-history class, students will read excerpts of journals kept by individuals who lived through tumultuous historical events and will be encouraged to keep their own records of 2020. We will read accounts written by "normal," non-famous people who were alive to witness events such as the volcanic explosion in Pompeii, the Bubonic Plague in 1661, or even something as mundane as the bumpy agony of stagecoach travel in the 19th century.

Each week students will be given a journal prompt and are invited (but never required!) to share their work with group. The objective of this class is for students to understand that history is created by those who document it, and to invite them into this process.

Instructor: Laura Fokkena

DETAILS:

Suggested age range: 13+

Outside work: Read examples of historical journals + letters and write one week’s entry using art, prose, photography, or other media

When & where: Fridays on Zoom from 12:30-1:30, Sept.. 11 - Oct. 16, 2020.

Fee: $100 for the semester, which includes a non-refundable registration fee of $10. Please read our media policy. Payment plans available. Fees waived for families with financial need.  (Waivers and payment plan information.)

Photo credit: Laura Fokkena