I’m running several groups for “What is a Nation? Nationalism 101” this winter.

Group 1: average folks of any/no affiliation who are thinking about or starting to mobilize against the current administration
Group 2: organizers and folks who were previously mobilized (throughout previous administrations) and want to strategize how to bring more folks into the work
Group 3: homeschoolers and teens looking to learn more about civics, government, history, sociology, etc.

What is Nationalism 101 all about?
This is a non-partisan topic. All are welcome. While our goal is to demystify the continuous processes of nation building we are simultaneously building community, these goals hold equal weight. This will require sometimes uncomfortable conversation and the ability to hold many (sometimes conflicting) truths at once. No one is expected to come with these skills perfected, just a willingness to gather in good faith and build our capacity to be together.

Overview:
1. Why Study Nationalism? + Get Acquainted and Discuss Group Agreements
2. What Is A Nation, What Is Nationalism, What Is Patriotism: The Nation and The State
3. Typologies: Civic and Ethnic (Real or Imagined, Primordial and Modern)
4. Components: Creation Myths, Invented Traditions, Imagined Communities and Mass Production of The Nation
5. The Narrative: Historiography and Propaganda, Echochambers and Misinformation Ecosystems
6. Our Democracy: What Is It? Is It Working? Is It Resilient?
7. Why Is Populism and Authoritarianism Rising Across The Globe?
8. Imperialism to Neoliberalism: Is Capitalism All There Is?
9. What Is Fascism? Are We There Yet?
10. Belonging: Affinity, Values, Citizenship, and Rights
11. The Culture Wars: Social Justice and DEI, Can We Move Past Wokeness?
12. What’s Next? Resistance: What Can It Look Like?

How is the “class” structured?
This is intended to be a low barrier/low pressure durational learning and discussion group. It’s a self-paced group chat happening over 12 weeks on Signal (*you can download Signal on your computer, you do not need a cellphone to participate).

A few times a week I’ll drop a short voice memo discussing the content of that week’s topic as well as suggested reading, discussion questions, or practices that folks can do and talk about together- or not. Discussion happens at will- I’ll do my best to answer all questions before new content drops.

For homeschoolers I’m happy to provide a syllabus after the class for your records.

Group runs approximately Dec 1 – Feb 20.

No one turned away for lack of funds. Sliding scale available. Cost is $25/week or $250 upfront for the adult groups. (If you’d like to do it together with your teen- you’d be in separate groups- let me know and we can discount the cost!)

Who am I/My qualifications
Before farming, Seren pursued a distinguished, fulfilling, and decade-long career in research and education throughout the former Soviet Union. After receiving a MA in Nationalism Studies, they returned to New England and became a parent as well as a founder, farmer, and owning member of Giant Journey Farm in Newfane. Their work specializes in illuminating the connections between all things by making their farm not the focus but the occasion for the web of reproductive work they do: teaching others how to tend land and grow food; facilitating the connection between somatics, land work, and reclamation; providing opportunities to build community and practice the hard skills of co-creation; visioning for a resilient and liberated future, and advocating for a just transition to that future (now!).

Reach out with any questions and/or to register. 

Contact: seren.polari@gmail.com