2022 Summer Institute: Critique as Playground
We are very excited to announce our newest CTL 2022 Summer Institute that will run for 8 half days in mid-May (see full schedule below). We invite all Pratt colleagues to join us for Critique as Playground, a playful community to explore critique practices and pedagogies for faculty who are serious about establishing their classroom as a supportive and inclusive environment.
Critique as Playground will explore de-centered frameworks that highlight/encourage collective and reparative modalities for critique in any classroom. There will be an emphasis on slowness, space, and silence/listening as a method for collectively reconsidering existing practices and cultures.
Topics will be initiated by the curiosities of the group, and may include but not be limited to: communication, collegiality, learning for the whole student, mental health and disability considerations, external guests and their roles in critique, and power dynamics.
Sharing of experience is key as faculty will be asked to collaborate with interdisciplinary colleagues to test out various modalities and practices. Working together, we will build a collective resource that could be directly applied to teaching and critique practices.
Disclaimer: Critique as Playground is going to be playful by definition. Please apply only if you are comfortable with a more open-format and decentered approach to learning with colleagues in community.
What last year’s participants said about the Playground Institute:
“I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to improve my teaching techniques and build community with my colleagues.”
“The Playground has connected me to other professors, who I may be able to collaborate with”
“This was a great experience for me. It made me a lot more empathetic to what other faculty and students may be going through.”
2022 Summer Institute – Rough Schedule (subject to change):
- Friday May 6, 10am – noon: Opening of the Institute and Community Building
- Monday May 9: Asynchronous activities (approx. 1 hour)
- Tuesday May 10: Asynchronous activities (approx. 1 hour)
- Wednesday May 11, 9:30am – noon: Sessions
- Thursday May 12, 9:30am – noon: Sessions
- Friday May 13, 9:30am – noon: Mini Cave – Reflection and Integration
- Monday May 16, 9:30am – noon: Sessions
- Tuesday May 17, 9:30am – noon: Discussion, Reflection, and Closing
Stipend: All faculty (part time and full time), upon completing all requirements for the Institute, will qualify for a $400 stipend. Space is limited.
Application Process:
Please submit your application for the limited spots available by April 25 (Monday). The selection process will take into consideration the following:
- Your completed application and commitment to follow through;
- Your interest in exploring, experimenting with, and creating new modes of critique;
- Your excitement towards forming community bonds and explorative collaboration with your fellow Playground members.
The finalized participants will be announced by April 27th.
Reach out to ctl@pratt.edu with any additional questions.