Sewall 2020: Community Conversations Discussion Preparation Questions

•  Jan. 29 Meeting : Reading Packet #1

(available at http://www.colorado.edu/Sewall/conver.htm ).

THE PASSWORD IS: sewl2020.

Please come to class having read the material and be prepared to discuss the following questions; write out your reflections to hand in to your faculty mentor.

Kemmis: “Pre-Amble” from Community and the Politics of Place:

1. Kemmis points out something interesting about the preamble of Montana . Considering what he points out, what would be the opening lines of a preamble for the Sewall community?

Paul Rogat Loeb: “Making Our Lives Count” from Soul of a Citizen:

2. “I've heard active citizens say that what motivates them most is a desire to respect what they see in the mirror.” (p. 14). Loeb says it is an exercise of values, not vanity. What values do you see when you look in the mirror, and how do your actions match your convictions?

3. Have you had an experience like Virginia Ramirez? What social problem or injustice makes you most angry? Why?

Terry Tempest Williams: “Police Report” and “Strike Moment”:

4. Consider jurisdiction (p. 164). What is your jurisdiction? Why?

5. What is a strike moment? Have you ever experienced one?

Consider all of the readings and pick out a line from one that most inspired or infuriated you. Be prepared to think about and share why it caused such a reaction.