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Welcome to our e-newsletter
Minds in Motion
This month we introduce you to a student and an alum, both thinkers and mothers. Also, read on for a sneak preview of the spring semester philosophy class.
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PHIL 1301: The Meaning of Life
Most people have thought about the meaning of life enough to ask, What is the meaning of life? In Spring 2012, Free Minds will be offering a credit-bearing philosophy course for Free Minds alumni with ACC professor Matthew Daude Laurents, who will guide students in an examination of that very important question.
In this class, we will consider what it means to ask this question, and we'll think through some of the answers that Western philosophers have given. We will also consider some possibilities that might not be obvious. For instance, the question What is the meaning of life? may be a meaningless question, rather like What is the temperature of gravity? And even if this question is meaningful, might it be the case that it has no answer because life doesn't have a meaning?
The registration deadline is Friday, November 18. Contact the Free Minds office as soon as possible to register.
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| Free Minds Featured in the Statesman
The Austin-American Statesman published an article about Free Minds in late October, highlighting students' exploration of Shakespeare: Making college accessible to those who might skip it. We love the photos. Thanks to all who help tell the story of Free Minds. Keep spreading the word!
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Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN/Austin American-Statesman
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Meet Free Minds Student Stacey Kennedy
Stacey Kennedy, Free Minds '12, and her son Richmond talk about their journey from homelessness to college:
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November Events for Alumni
Join us for the last two master classes of the semester! These classes are free and take place at the Community Engagement Center (1009 East 11th Street #216). Please RSVP at least three days ahead so we can mail you any readings. View the whole schedule on our blog. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 6:30 PM
"Food for Thought", Elizabeth Engelhardt, UT Professor of American Studies. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 6:30 PM "Transition to College Success," Julie Cuellar-Reck, ACC academic advisor.
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Special Thanks
This month we extend sincere thanks to
Dr. Alice Shukalofor facilitating the Fall 2011 Community Writing Workshop. Dr. Shukalo has volunteered her time to give adults the opportunity to write in community and to help Free Minds shape the curriculum for future workshops. The workshop, which meets on Tuesday nights at Foundation Communities' Trails at Vintage Creek apartments, wraps up on December 7th. If you are interested in volunteering with or supporting Free Minds, you can find more information on our website. |
  
Minds in Motion
Archive
October 2011 Philosophy class, writing workshops, and a double dose of Shakespeare. September 2011 The back-to-school issue! Including insights from a new student. August 2011 New students, new faculty, and a new childcare program. |
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The Final Word
Maryann Ramos, Free Minds '07: "I have a lot of hope for the educational opportunity my daughter has."
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Maryann Ramos and her daughter Natalia, 10, stage a scene from The Tempest.
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When I graduated from Free Minds in 2007, I left with an understanding that I would try to educate myself more in world views. Part of that plan was the introduction of a Humanities education to my then-five-year-old daughter, Natalia. I probably would not have exposed my child to this form of education if I had not had the chance to learn what an impact the Humanities can have on your life. Those courses helped me hold on to my job in a very competitive market. Today, I have applied the teaching of a liberal arts course to mastering and understanding human development.
Since 2007, Natalia has learned the world of Shakespeare and children's Greek mythology. We are currently studying the formation of America during slavery through Frederick Douglass' Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Staying up late and reading over my Free Minds materials has kept my curiosity fresh. When I read the hand-outs and go over the syllabus, I feel alive and very proud I had a chance to experience what a freshman at Princeton experiences.
Feeling this freshness gives me a lot of hope for the educational opportunity my daughter has now that she is attending middle school at Kipp College Preparatory. Kipp is very open to having curious children learning about the Humanities and not leaving her to find these exclusive courses on her own.
Natalia recently attended an alumni master class on The Tempest with me, and everyone welcomed this curious ten-year-old with open hearts, open minds and lots of patience! We had a blast attending the play at UT the following week. A UT student sat behind us and was in awe that Natalia was attending the play. That student is in training for Teach for America at my daughter's campus.
Opportunities present themselves in many magical forms. I'm not missing mine, because what I learned from Free Minds is to be inquisitive about education and remain a lifetime learner.
Maryann Ramos, Free Minds '07, is a Program Specialist at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Natalia, 10, is a student at Kipp College Preparatory. She is traveling to Europe this summer as a People to People Student Ambassador.
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A program of the UT Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, in partnership with the UT Humanities Institute, Austin Community College, and Foundation Communities, Free Minds offers a two-semester college course in the humanities for Central Texas adults who want to fulfill their intellectual potential and begin a new chapter in their lives.
Free Minds Project
Community Engagement Center
1009 East 11th Street, #218
Austin TX 78702
Project Director: Vivé Griffith Project Assistant/AmeriCorps VISTA: Hana Silverstein
Ph: 512-232-6093 F: 512-236-1729
www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/freeminds |
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