Brianna teaches "Zine and Not Heard - An Introduction to the Art, History, and Politics of Underground Print Culture" for 9-11 campers.
What's your class like? Can you describe it for us?
It's a class that goes over the history and endless expressive possibilities of self-produced, self-published paper booklets called zines. I start the curriculum with a history of the way zines began as a cultural and historical phenomenon. We spend the rest of the class periods doing creative activities that build toward the creation of the student's own zine.
I usually start with a brief lecture. It could be on the different categories of zines, or why counter culture was important for zines from the 70s through the 90s, or how digital media is affecting zines. We discuss the lecture's implications, then spend roughly an hour and a half on tactile media activities like collaging, binding, or learning how to make different zine forms. During the last 6 days of class, the students conceptualize and make their own zine. It's a crafter's dream, as the students' tables are piled high with magazines, markers, pastel crayons, glue, and yarn. I offer typewriters, stamps, stickers, and many other supplies for their creative purposes.
What's something about you that someone might not expect if they didn't know you well?
While I'm really tall, I'm absolutely terrible at basketball and only mediocre when it comes to volleyball.
What about SEP made you want to work here?
The opportunity to design a syllabus for a creative, non-traditional class that you wouldn't normally find at school. The notion of teaching gifted kids makes it appealing as well.
What do you think is the most difficult part of the job?
Trying to tailor the curriculum to each specific summer session class. I have a feeling that as soon as I perfect my teaching approach for my session one kids, the two weeks will be over and I'll have to learn the dynamics of another, different entering class.
What do you think is the most rewarding part of the job?
The most rewarding part is seeing kids light up for a variety of reasons: when they use the typewriter for the first time and can't get enough of it, or create a beautiful piece of collage art that most people aren't used to seeing outside of diaries or published magazines. It's also extremely rewarding to hear the kids respond to my lecture prompts; so far they've engaged in some great intellectual discussions.
What do you think about gifted education?
As a former gifted student myself, I think gifted ed classes are integral to keeping above average students engaged. I want nothing more than to see gifted students continuing on a trajectory toward additional knowledge, enthusiasm, and learning.
Given infinite supplies and opportunities, what sort of class would you teach?
I'd teach Turbo Zines--zines on steroids! It would be a similar curriculum, but at the end it would involve a trip to the Portland Zine Symposium, where hundreds of zinesters set up tables and booths to sell/trade their zines. The students, after having made and copied their own zines in class, would fly to Portland, attend symposium workshops, and have the opportunity to trade with hundreds of other avid zine makers.
What's your biggest pet peeve?
People who don't walk their talk.
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