Anarchist Free University Minutes of meeting 6 July 2002

Luis, Sam, Alan, Chris, Helena/Clifford, Erik, Brian

Items for Agenda:

• Launch event
• Website
• New course proposals
• Name
• Place/time

The meeting started after 6pm and we agreed to meet until 8pm or 8:30pm

COURSES

(1) 'Future Planning'

Brian presented his proposal, which examines ideas about the future for humanity. Topics include surveillance, control, new technology, cyber-sex, chemical control of human subjects. The readings include Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World and articles on science, technology and conservative visions for the future. In the discussion people questioned the idea of imagining a future for all humanity and argued for the importance of social and cultural differences. The course is approved in principle but Brian has agreed to meet with two collective members to develop the course theme, the structure of the course from week to week and strategies for facilitating the course. The revised course will be presented at a future collective meeting.

(2) Introduction to Experimental Literature

Chris presented his course (outline sent separately). It is accepted. There were some concerns about the amount of reading required for a ten-week course, about the level of difficulty of the material and the logistics of getting enough copies of books at short notice.

(3) Introduction to Media Studies

This is already approved in principle. Sam will have revisions done for the next meeting. The main text is Chomsky, Manufacturing Consent but more structure is needed for the remainer of the course which may cover alternative media and practical strategies for activists in dealing with the media coverage of campaigns and events.

(4) Relational Art/ Collective Art

Luis will present this course at the next meeting. There was some concern about the level of the course and the need to put this type of art in some kind of context.

(5) Anarchist Discussion Group

There was brief discussion of adding an anarchist reading group to the Fall schedule. Alan will write something that will be discussed at the next meeting.

NAME

We all agreed that the name 'Anarchist Free University' is somewhat dull. It does convey the ideas that this is an anarchist-based project, that we are linked to the philosophy of free schools and that it is at the level of mainstream universities. We were unable to come up with a better name but decided that when the context is clear we will use the shortened name Anarchist U (which at least has a weak wordplay with the idea of the anarchist you).

PROMOTIONAL LEAFLET

Luis will design a leaflet, which will have a brief introduction to the Anarchist U and descriptions of courses. All facilitators should make sure he has the title of your course and a two or three sentence description. The leaflet will be available throughout Toronto by mid-July. An up-dated version will appear later. We approved a brief description of the Anarchist U for the leaflet.

WEBSITE

Erik is working on this. It is important that it be easy to update. It will be hosted at a free commercial site. He will have something for people to look at in the next week. Facilitators should make sure Erik has an updated electronic version of your course outline.

PLACE/TIME

Sam is looking into some community centres for possible free rooms. We may use our connexions with OPIRG and the Free University for one or two rooms. The day and time for courses is up to the facilitators but we expect most courses will be offered in the evening or week-end.

NEXT MEETING

Sunday 13 July 2003 at 196 Manning Ave (at Dundas). Social/potluck at 5pm, hosted by Luis. Meeting starts at 6pm.

ATTACHMENT: STUDY-GROUP PROPOSAL

Leaflet text:

Anarchist Reading Group (10 weeks) A self-organized study group on anarchist history and theory. The group develops a program at the first meeting. It may include many different types of anarchism according to the interests of the participants. Suggested reading is Daniel Guerin, No Gods, No Masters (AK Press).

Presentation:

This group has the same structure as a regular course but operates without a course facilitator. However, one or more collective members agree to attend regularly. At the first meeting a plan of activities is drawn up with members of the study group taking responsibility for each week. It is proposed that one core activity for Fall 2003 is to read Daniel Guerin, No Gods, No Masters: An Anthology of Anarchism (published in two volumes by AK Press in 1998). This work is easily available from Marginal Distribution, in Peterborough. This would be supplemented by other readings according to the interests of the members of the study group (TAZ, Crimethinc, feminist and spiritual anarchism, animal rights, anarchism is different cultures, etc.) Course work would also be agreed upon at the beginning and as well as a class presentation could include non-traditional forms such as keeping a journal, producing a zine and producing a cassette tape of a 'radio show'. This course is an experiment in whether a study-group can sustain its activity for 10 weeks with no designated facilitator.