Sometimes teaching literature to college students can get a bit redundant, or there may be the sense that the experience of reading great texts is getting lost on young people only looking for grades. One teacher recently decided to do something about that.
Mikita Brottman took her sabbatical from university teaching to hold a book club...for men...in prison. She wanted to see what themes prisoners would identify with or if they would offer her any new insights on literature based on their unique experiences. She describes some of her results in a short interview that can be heard here, as well as in a new book, titled The Maximum Security Book Club. I have already picked up my copy from the library and look forward to diving into how she attempted to teach Macbeth, Heart of Darkness, and Lolita to convicted felons.
I love the idea of bringing literature to people who may not traditionally be exposed to it. Has anyone out there ever done anything similar? I'd love to borrow your ideas.
Mikita Brottman took her sabbatical from university teaching to hold a book club...for men...in prison. She wanted to see what themes prisoners would identify with or if they would offer her any new insights on literature based on their unique experiences. She describes some of her results in a short interview that can be heard here, as well as in a new book, titled The Maximum Security Book Club. I have already picked up my copy from the library and look forward to diving into how she attempted to teach Macbeth, Heart of Darkness, and Lolita to convicted felons.
I love the idea of bringing literature to people who may not traditionally be exposed to it. Has anyone out there ever done anything similar? I'd love to borrow your ideas.