We're pleased to have Ismail Muhammad coming down from the Bay Area this term to teach his seminar, Making the Political Personal. Ismail is a writer and critic living in Oakland, where he's a staff writer for The Millions and contributing editor at ZYZZYVA. His writing has appeared in Slate, the Los Angeles Review of Books, New Republic, and other publications. He's currently working on a novel about the Great Migration and queer archives of black history.
Making the Political Personal will take place in Glassell Park on March 4. Details below!
One-Day Seminar: Making the Political Personal
(taught by Ismail Muhammad in Glassell Park)
Sunday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
March 4, 2022
As second wave feminists taught us, the personal is political—but how do we acknowledge that tension in nonfiction without sacrificing political urgency or personal perspective? During this seminar, we will practice techniques for incorporating political critique into personal narrative, such as writing effective scenes and developing momentum. We will examine contemporary examples of politically inflected narratives and engage in writing exercises that blend creative and civic purposes. The goal of this seminar is to explore how writers can best express their personal and political ideas and identities in narrative nonfiction and memoir.
This seminar is open to students of all levels. It will be held in Glassell Park where coffee, sparkling water, and light snacks will be served.
Enrollment limit: 8 students
$130 for new students; $120 for returning students