This project-based course will work in close collaboration with the Neutral Zone (Ann Arbor’s center for teens) and its community partners as it explores the themes of Claudia Rankine’s acclaimed book, Citizen: An American Lyric, culminating in a month-long program of thought-provoking events that encourage people to navigate issues of identity, community, and, of course, citizenship. Who’s in and who’s out? What does it mean (not) to belong? Who polices boundaries and borders, and how do assess our own culpability and positive engagement in perpetuating and questioning these social perimeters? How do we work together to learn to live together?
Students will be asked to produce their own creative and reflective work, to promote the creative engagement and thoughtful reflection of other participants, and to facilitate in diverse ways the implementation of the overarching program (“Neutral Zone Presents: NEA Big Reads in Ann Arbor”). There will be opportunities to work with (at this point) the Neutral Zone staff and teens, the Ann Arbor District Library, Literati Bookstore, multiple Ann Arbor middle schools and high schools, and various University of Michigan academic units.
Note: The instructor will email with the room location before the first day.