Campus Reading Celebration

The Open Space of Democracy by Terry Tempest Williams is available FREE to students, faculty and staff. Please stop by the library to pick up your copy.

• Campus Presentation Dates
• The Open Space of Democracy Description
• About the Author
• Literary Criticism
• Using The Open Space of Democracy in the Classroom

Campus Presentation Dates:

Tuesday, Nov. 8:

1:00 pm: Presentation to the campus community; Conference Hall 1
5:30 pm: Reception for the President's Circle
6:30 pm: Presentation open to campus and non-campus community; Conference Hall 1

*This is event is FREE to the CSUCI campus community. Otherwise, $5 per ticket for off-campus community members, $2 per ticket for off-campus students

Wednesday, Nov. 9:

8:30 am: Meet with composition classes and some students from other classes; Conference Hall 1

The Open Space of Democracy Description (from Amzon.com)

Terry Tempest Williams presents a sharp-edged perspective on the ethics and politics of place, spiritual democracy, and the responsibilities of citizen engagement. By turns elegiac, inspiring, and passionate, The Open Space of Democracy offers a fresh perspective on the critical questions of our time.

 About the Author (from Amazon.com)

Terry Tempest Williams lives in Castle Valley, Utah. Her books include Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place; An Unspoken Hunger; Desert Quartet; Leap; and Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert. She is the recipient of a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship and a Lannan Literary Fellowship in creative nonfiction. Her work has appeared in Orion, The New Yorker, The Nation, The New York Times, Parabola, and The Best American Essays.

More information on Terry Tempest Williams, including biographical information, interviews and articles can be found at: http://www.coyoteclan.com

Literary Criticism

Literary criticism on the works of Terry Tempest Williams can be accessed through the library's Literature Resource Center Database . Enter the author's name in the search box.

Using The Open Space of Democracy in the Classroom

Suggestions for classroom assignments and activities:

Environmental Science and Resource Management

Consider the notion of 'open space' — compare/contrast with notions of 'wilderness' or 'environment' from other readings

Students will brainstorm a Problem/Solution essay in the open and isolated space of the  Channel Islands (linked class field trip). While on the island, they will find a quiet, solitary spot to sit and think and write about issues relating to wilderness, ecology, humans and nature (ownership, separateness, connectedness, etc.), eco-feminism, environmental racism, cultural value/misappropriation of wilderness, sustainability, green initiatives, experience of solitude, etc.  We are encouraging students to ponder whether their time in wilderness gave them any new insights into problems/solutions

Have students attend one of Williams' campus presentations and write about issues/questions that are raised during the forum

English

Students will brainstorm a Problem/Solution essay in the open and isolated space of the  Channel Islands (linked class field trip). While on the island, they will find a quiet, solitary spot to sit and think and write about issues relating to wilderness, ecology, humans and nature (ownership, separateness, connectedness, etc.), eco-feminism, environmental racism, cultural value/misappropriation of wilderness, sustainability, green initiatives, experience of solitude, etc.  We are encouraging students to ponder whether their time in wilderness gave them any new insights into problems/solutions

Have students write a 'Why I Write' essay, similar to Terry Tempest Williams' own 'Why I Write' essay

This year's Fall Festival of Short Plays will showcase local writers who've written plays around the theme of 'Landscape and the Environment'. Have students attend a reading of the plays before hearing Terry Tempest Williams speak on campus

Have students select a quote from Open Space of Democracy and journal on why they chose the quote, or write a poem using the quote as a theme

Political Science

Discuss the politics surrounding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Have students address issues surrounding the Stewardship of Public Lands.