The ‘People and Power’ classes are currently looking at the power of groups. Scroll down for posting on current writing workshops (fully subscribed)
Having completed our survey of 15 powerful individuals we are now looking at groups. This is a vitally important subject, but one which is often overlooked, partly because of misguided ideas that generalising about certain groups (though not so much others) encourages prejudice.
A group is any gathering of more than two people which recognises itself and is recognised by others in some way. This obviously includes states, but it also includes families, companies, trades unions, religions, ‘the people’ and so on endlessly. Groups exist to exercise power, or at the very least if they exist they do exercise power. This is a reality which is readily accepted for certain kinds of groups, but less so for others. We will not be making such distinctions.
The full programme from now until July, including five concluding classes, is shown below. For those who have already seen the programme, please note the change of date for the class on Christianity / Churches (from 21/22 April to 26/27 May).
If you have not already attended these stimulating discussion classes, which take place in a convivial atmosphere, please phone me on 01273 602168 or 07984 90034 for a brief chat and for details of the venue. The classes take place on Tuesdays from 10.30 to 12.30 and on Wednesdays from 7.30 to 9.30. The drop-in rate is £6 per class, or you can pay £25 for five consecutive classes.
Fifteen classes on powerful groups
10/11 Feb: The family
Half term
24/25 Feb: Voluntary associations / trades unions / the masons / football supporters’ clubs
03/04 Mar: The nation / the state (as two distinct groups)
10/11 Mar: School / Academia
17/18 Mar: The armed forces
24/25 Mar: Islam / The Mosque
31 Mar/1 Apl: The rich
Three-week Easter break
[21/22 Apl: Cancelled: Christianity / Churches - Postponed to 26/27 May]
28/29 Apl: City / town / village
05/06 May: The media
12/13 May: Judaism / Jewishness
19/20 May: The people
26/27 May: Christianity / Churches - This class replaces that originally scheduled for 21/22 April
02/03 June: Multi-state groups: Europe, the UN, global identity
09/10 June: Male / female
16/17 June: The company / corporation
Resolving the problems of power: disempowerment and empowerment
23/24 June: The wresting match of power
30 June/1 Jul: Recognising power and how it disempowers us
07/08 July: Empowering ourselves 1: techniques
14/15 July: Empowering ourselves 2: morality
21/22 July: Empowering ourselves 3: accepting our ultimate powerlessness
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Current Series of ‘Writing Our Own Stories’.
Christine Hollywood successfully concluded her second series on ‘Writing Our Own Stories’ at the end of January. She went travelling for the next couple of months, and then resumed with the current third course of six workshops from May 5th to June 16th. This course is fully subscribed, but further courses are planned. I can personally vouch for the value of Christine’s approach to this subject, as I have attended all the courses so far.
Tuesdays, May 5th, 12th & 19th, and June 2nd, 9th & 16th
The venue is in the North Laine, and the timing is from 3 to 5. The fee is £36 for all six workshops payable in advance. Let me know if you are interested in future ‘Writing Your Own Stories’ courses by calling me on 01273 602168 or 07984 900394, or by emailing me on francis@invitationtolearn.co.uk.