Agenda:

Current Course Updates New Course Proposals End of Term Party Internet in General/ Message Board Structure of the Group Free School Conference (Publicity/Spawning)

Attendees: Christopher, Melissa, Christian, Luke, Amos, John, Bill, Dave, Sherri, Darren, Possum Minutes: Sherri

CURRENT COURSE UPDATES

Anarchy 101 ·Going so well that would like to extend classes to take in new topics that can not be covered under the current timeline ·Topics being considered: race/racism, violence/non-violence, local anarchy ·The extension will likely be 3 classes ·Class size has dropped recently to a small group of 5 but has gone as high as 20

Carnevalesque ·A bit of a drop off, loss of some of the original momentum of the course ·This could be due to the way the course was set up, the first half being more structured and the second half more open leaving space for the theoretical and philosophical ·Class is motivated towards action, been brainstorming some possibly destructive events such as the Dundas Square Disruption, would like to tie this in with the subversive social? This is not the best idea, as we don\222t condone this type of behaviour we also do not want to be seen sponsoring it.

Samuel Beckett ·Keeping itself going, small group but committed ·Class interested in keeping this class going beyond the 10 weeks

SUMMER TERM ·We came to the agreement that the summer will be split into two smaller 8 week terms, though is not to say that full summer courses are to be discouraged ·Two terms will range roughly from May to July and July to September but this can be adapted as necessary

Random thought\205 is there a reason why we tend to emulate the same academic calendar structure of the traditional Universities?\205\205.

NEW COURSE PROPOSALS

Melissa \226 Understanding Yoga (2 hr Class) Will consist of meditation and study of Vedic text, Upanishads a combination of learning texts, chants, mantras and Sanskrit combined with Asana practice ·Class will be divided between theory and practice and will be directed towards people who are interested in Yoga but don\222t want to invest a lot of money or are put off by corporate Yoga studios ·There will be no explicit spiritual direction to the course, it will be open minded and non spiritually directed to let the participants get what they want from the experience \226 \223Yoga Disenfranchised\224 ·May need to put a cap on attendance depending on the space found for the class, no space booked as of yet, looking into community centres and may teach outside in the summer months (first come first served basis) ·Anarchy Yoga? \226 A main goal of the class is to break down Western barriers between physical labour and intellectual/sprititual. ·Also don\222t forget another goal of the university is to offer classes that people may otherwise not be able to afford

Consensus says? \226 Course approved pending full detailed outline showing the goals of the class and readings. Goals not necessarily political but expressing the anti-corporate Yoga nature of the class

Amos \226 Animals Seen Though the Lens of Human Society ·Would like to lead this class in a less reactionary way than traditional Socio-Biology ·Will consider current media stories (ie. Killer whale) and how this is treated by society ·Explore the nature of animal behaviours such as in ant colonies to gain insight into human behaviour and the nature of individuality ·Homosexuality and animals, what has been repressed by traditional scientists, will explore the encyclopedia of animal behaviour ·Zoo architecture \226 study what people think is \223natural\224 for animals. +Use of animals in entertainment/theatre/film ·Pigeons \226 many roles from message carrying to food like the passenger pigeon·No space booked yet, lots of readings already chosen and some lectures are already prepared ·Does not want this class to be too academic and will encourage discussing and drawing your own conclusions and connections ·Some concerns around the use of sociobiology but this course will offer a critique and will encourage participants to draw their own conclusions rather than just preaching a theory

Consensus \226 Not enough information to make a formal decision at this time. Asked Amos to prepare a detailed outline before the next meeting

NOTE ON PENDING COURSES: -As this was generally an information gathering session for summer courses many of those who brought forth ideas did not have a formal outline with all course readings and information to the meeting. A new section on the website for pending classes will be created and all those with pending classes are asked to finish their outlines and post them on the website before the next meeting. At the April meeting all pending courses will be brought to the consensus for a final decision -Next meeting we will begin looking at promoting the summer courses and possibly putting a package together for current students

Dave \226 Anarchy Online ·What\222s going on in the world of technology now ·Government eavesdropping ·Political issues with emerging technologies (ie. Voice over IP) ·Your rights online (Canada vs. United States) ·Counter measures (hackers, software piracy etc) ·How to protect yourself online ·Would like to have a message board as a part of the course, it was suggested that this could also be used for the general ArarchistU^? site as well. ·This course idea fits in well with the university and there is a lot of interest in having this type of course ·No location booked to date ·Final decision pending on complete detailed outline to be posted on website

Bill Punk Rock 101 (coolest course outline ever!) ·Ideas of punk rock vs. history class, how ideas lead to the shaping of the scene ·Explore the back and forth reactionary movements from junkie to straightedge, riot grrrl etc ·Planned readings for each week ·Week 3 \226 Senseless actions of beauty ·Week 8 \226 Dance of Days, Punk Rock Teenagers ·Week 9 \226 Zine: punk in the third world (Profane Existence Brazil interview) ·Want to be careful that this does not come off as a hero worship, idolizing class, treat the bands as empowering individuals not celebrities ·Idea to possibly give out a CD of course music at the beginning and assign songs as homework, better for students to appreciate the music in their own homes rather than sit awkwardly for 3 minutes in a room full of people ·Encourage participants to find more music on their own, make mixed tapes for other members of the class or even start a band!

Darren \226 Continuation of Current Classes for the Summer Term

Electronics Course ·Will use same outline but will only look at completing one chapter of the text each week rather than two ·Can continue to use the same location and will be adding an additional half hour to the course for a more intense hands on portion ·People who want to get really involved may have to purchase an inexpensive kit ($10-$20) to have a better hands on experience rather than always learning through demonstration ·Make sure that it is understood that all people will be accommodated for the course, some discussion of using budget monies to help pay for kits for those who truly can not afford them

Creative Writing Group ·This time around would like to focus more towards beginner group; people who just started writing or just want to write but don\222t know how to start ·The new outline to reflect this change will be written by the next meeting

Consensus: No issues or concerns at this point, these were both popular courses

End of Term Subversive Social ·Suggested that there be a separate meeting to discuss the logistics of planning the party, a list was created of those who would like to be involved the organizing of the party ·Tentative date of April 1rst as this is a Friday and why not take this day back from the school children ·Campus Co-op has offered a space, this can be explored but not sure of how this will work with drinking or a band ·Darren suggested the Canadian Core at Niagara and Queen as a hall that could be rented for around $200 ·Planning meeting to be announced via email to the organizing group

NEXT MEETING April 10th at 6pm Bill\222s place 540 Spadina Apt #1

Core group structure and spawning to take top priority at next meeting, suggestion that this be looked at as a separate meeting as well to ensure that it is properly dealt with