Date/Time
Date(s) - November 18, 2020
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Categories
This study runs for 3 Wednesdays beginning November 11th – skipping November 25th – and ending on December 2nd.
To register for this class, use this form: https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/ddc5fa87
A study of Charles C. Mann’s book 1491 Covenant and Outline
Welcome and thank you to everyone who has signed up for the UUCUC Adult Religious Education’s study of Charles C. Mann’s book 1491. This is a brief introduction to how the study will be conducted and will include a covenant of attitude and behavior for us during the study.
The study will be three sessions held over Zoom connections. *** DATE CHANGE The dates for the sessions will be held Wed evenings Nov 11, 18 and Dec 2 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. There was no session on Nov 4th due to changes in Michele’s schedule. 1491 is divided into three sections and we will study one section per session. November 11: Numbers from Nowhere, November 18: Very Old Bones, and December 2: Landscapes With Figures.
From Michele: In an effort to allow us to spend as much time as possible on the book itself, I am asking that we begin our initial introductions and check ins electronically. Please send in your name, preferred pronouns and picture if you wish. In addition, it is not required but if you would like, please also send in what interested you in this study, what connection you may have or had with Indigenous peoples and what you hope to achieve from your involvement with this study. You may enter your information and views the information of others on the UUCUC Kudoboard at https://UUCUCre.kudoboard.com/boards/MDMdS0KL Please contact me if there are problems.
In keeping with Unitarian Universalist traditions of standards of behavior during group meeting, I am borrowing the wisdom of Jenny Hunt and the covenant she developed for the Adult Ed class she is currently leading. It is a way we can help ensure a space where all feel welcome, safe and accepted. All experiences, feelings and opinions have value when shared in a kind and respectful way.
Here is Jenny’s covenant:
I would like to suggest the following four statements for our group to consider as our covenant for our time together. If you have any suggestions for additional considerations or changes, please feel free to contact me. We can finalize these at our next meeting together.
- Honoring confidentiality of personal information brought into the discussion
- Listening carefully with an open, non-judgmental mind to the words and ideas of others
- Centering responses on our personal experience without judgement of others and their experiences
- Honoring the rule of “no fixing, no advising, no setting each other straight” unless a participant specifically asks for input
To paraphrase what Charles C. Mann himself states about his book, no one book could ever adequately cover the topic of Indigenous peoples before the landing of Columbus. Similarly, our brief three sessions could never adequately cover the information within this book let alone all the side topics and questions that come to our minds about this information.
We should try to focus mostly on the main topics by the book’s three sections during our sessions. However, I feel the most important result of the study will be to inflame our thought process and the extended questions that it will bring. So please write down your feelings, your questions, and your discoveries as we proceed through the study. You may share your writing with the group or you may keep them private for your own self reflections.
I do think it will be important to consider some basic topics that will influence our understanding of the information found in the book. The first of those is the importance of concept. What are the concepts each of us has ABOUT ourselves and the characters in the book and what do we think the concepts were OF the characters?
To illustrate this point, check out the cartoon about dogs and cats found on Facebook.
Another basic topic revolves around theories and facts. The two are intertwined. Theories give a basis for the search of facts. Facts in turn give us a basis to develop theories.
My favorite illustration of this comes from a Sherlock Holmes book. In it, Holmes and Watson are riding on a train through the countryside. Holmes is teaching Watson about the importance of understanding the difference between fact and assumption.
Wanting to prove that he understood that concept and its importance, Watson points out the window to a heard of sheep grazing on the hillside. He states to Holmes, “Those sheep are white.” Holmes looks out the window and replies, “On that side they are.” I take that to mean that we will never know all the facts if we see or consider only one side or look beyond what we think is obvious.
From Andy: Michele Grove will serve as our tech host and will send Zoom meeting connection information the week of November 8th. You may contact me at narwhaledream@aol.com or by phone or message at 605-237-1334.