THIS IS A THREE PART EVENT: SATURDAYS, APRIL 4, 18, AND MAY 2.
The U.S. has a shocking literacy crisis, with 50% of adults unable to fully engage with complex texts. The real issue isn’t just reading, it is that many of us were never taught how to handle a book, dissect its contents, and retain what we read for later discussion.
Reading is not only an intellectual ability. It is a spiritual and emotional practice that can be profoundly grounding. We are all capable of deep and sustained thought. We can all see patterns, structures and connections. It is easy to lose touch with that, which only helps existing power structures. Thus, reading is a powerful tool to resist fascism and critically engage with our lives and the world around us.
Join Dr. Rebecca Hall, author of Wake, for a spirited workshop series where she will guide participants on how to read deeply, and how to develop an effective annotation system that works for you to help you retain crucial knowledge. Together, we will explore Ancient Africa: A Global History to 300 CE by Christopher Ehret, a text that challenges outdated narratives and highlights Africa’s foundational role in global history.
Workshop 1: Introduction to the book and Dr. Hall’s Meta-Reading method, including a structured approach to annotation. Participants will receive seminar-style discussion questions to guide their reading.
Workshop 2: Discussion of the first half of the book. Participants will actively use the annotation method to prepare for discussion. Dr. Hall and participants will also develop seminar-style discussion questions to guide engagement with the second half of the book, while exploring additional approaches to reading non-fiction.
Workshop 3: Discussion of the second half of the book, along with deeper exploration of meta-reading and creative strategies for advanced literacy. We’ll celebrate a new superpower!
Requirements & Details:
A physical copy of the book (no eBooks)
Pen or pencil, and post-it tabs
While attendance at all sessions is encouraged, the first session is required to attend the second and third
Suggested donation: $10+ per session
Commitment to reading at least 30 minutes per day during the series
Set aside your reading time intentionally by choosing a time and place where you can be alert, present, and undistracted.
Accessibility:
Wheelchair accessible.
Do not wear perfume or scented products because they give Dr. Hall a migraine.