This winter, Professor Coray Ames Hoffner is teaching WRD 377: Writing and Social Engagement: From Hip Hop to Hashtags, part of DePaul’s Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. It was also offered last spring, so check out our previous course spotlight to learn more about the basics of the course. Keep reading to see photos from last quarter and get an update.
What did you enjoy most about teaching this course last spring? Is there anything you’re especially looking forward to this quarter?
So many come to mind, but I’ll just name a few: an early conversation about the nature of joy, reading students’ open letters and watching them share them with one another, and hearing their spirited exchanges on hip hop’s response to capitalism, women, and activism. I’m looking forward to seeing students’ social activism projects!
Was there a standout experience or event from last spring you’d like to highlight?
My favorite class was the one in which groups traveled from corner to corner of the classroom to answer questions about hip hop in groups and then shared responses with the entire class.
You mentioned the two themes of resistance and resilience last year. Have any new themes emerged since then?
Freedom is a theme that showed up a lot. We talked about the nature of freedom–what it looks and feels like, how we achieve it, and what we do with it.
Can you give us an idea of what the activities or major assignments in this course look like?
Students will write weekly responses in the form of reflections or DQTs (discussion questions + substantial thoughts), compose an open letter that they share with peers, lead a group discussion on an assigned reading, and compose an activist project in small groups (zines, hashtag campaigns, posters).
Is there anything else you think is important for students to know?
Inside-Out classes value dialogue and community. We show up each week as authentically as possible so that we can learn alongside and with one another.
Conclusion
WRD 377: Writing and Social Engagement is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill your experiential learning requirement, or just to get involved with your community! If you’re interested in enrolling, get in touch with Professor Ames Hoffner at cameshof@depaul.edu.