Friday marks the end of Week 2
Rebecca Dollinger
Pitzer Class of 2018
DIY Learning
Independent Study Syllabus
IS Professor: Professor Alex Juhasz
Detailed Description
The DIY artistic independent
maker age has reached an all time peak, and it has the Internet to thank for
that. From Pinterest to YouTube to Stay-at-home mom blogs, the wealth of
tutorials for the everyday crafter has reached an all time high. How has the
Internet changed the DIY and “artsy” community? What has been made possible
that could not have been possible ten or even five years ago? What are we
learning? What are we gaining? What are we losing?
For my independent study, I
plan on researching the rise of craft blogs, as well as handmade goods sites
such as Etsy, the benefits of craft tutorials from websites such as Pinterest
and YouTube, while creating a semester long blog series, including videos, text
posts, and photo tutorials. I will explore the most successful craft blogs and
YouTube channels, occasionally attempting to emulate their education styles,
documenting the pros and cons of different digital teaching techniques. I will
also explore the connection between the media corporate and fandom influence in
craft projects, especially in regards to knitting and needle crafts.
Required Reading List
Craft, Inc. Revised Edition: The Ultimate Guide to
Turning Your Creative Hobby into a Successful Business (Meg Mateo Ilasco)
YouTube: Online Video and Particapatory Culture (Jean Burgess)
Video Nation: A DIY guide to planning, shooting, and
sharing great video from USA Today's Talking Tech host (Jefferson Graham)
Jane Austen Knits OR AUSTENtatious Crochet
Niche Craft Books for Week 10:
Geek Knits: Over 30 Projects for Fantasy Fanatics,
Science Fiction Fiends, and Knitting Nerds
Geek Chic Crochet: 35 retro-inspired projects that
are off the hook (Nicki Trench)
Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic
Books, Fantasy (Toni Carr)
Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter
Knitting Wizardry: 27 Spellbinding Projects
Once Upon a Knit:
Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from
Twilight to Dawn
Woodland Knits: over 20 enchanting patterns
Literary Knits
Fairytale Knits
Recommended Readings
The Knowledgeable Knitter (Magaret Radcliffe)
Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to
Master Knitting in the Round (Magaret
Radcliffe)
2015 Crafter's Market: How to Sell Your Crafts and
Make a Living (Edited by Kelly
Biscopink)
The Handmade Marketplace, 2nd Edition: How to Sell
Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online (Kari Chapin)
YouTutorial: Knitting: Your Guide to the Best
Instructional YouTube Videos (Tessa
Evelegh)
Craft Activism: People, Ideas, and Projects from the
New Community of Handmade and How You Can Join In (Joan Tapper, Photography by Gale Zucker)
Schedule (Meetings and Projects)
Week 1: Create Syllabus,
purchase books, first meeting with Professor Juhasz
Week 2: Blog Post 1; create
personal blog for tracking Independent Study activities
Week 3: Project 1 proposal
due, read chapters 1-4 of Video Nation, Blog Post 2
Week 4: Project 1 due on
September 27 (extension due to Jewish high holidays); Blog Post 3; Finish
reading Video Nation
Week 5: Read chapters 1-3 of
Craft, Inc.; Submit proposal for
Project 2; Blog Post 4
Week 6: Project 2 due;
Meeting with Professor Juhasz
Week 7: Read Chapters 4-5 of
Craft, inc.; Blog Post 5
Week 8: Read Chapters 6-7 of
Craft, inc.; Draft Proposal for
Project 3; Blog Post 6
Week 9: Project 3 due;
Meeting with professor Juhasz
Week 10: Read and review one
book from niche craft books list; Blog Post 7
Week 11: Proposal for
Project 4 (Austenland); Blog Post 8
Week 12: Project 4 due
Week 13: Proposal for Final
Project; Blog Post 9
Week 14: Work on final
project; Meeting with Professor Juhasz
Week 15: Final Project due;
Blog Post 10
Breakdown of Blog Post Topics:
1: Initial
thoughts going into Independent study, plans for the semester, hopes for the
outcomes
2: Plans
for Project 1; General reflections
3: Thoughts
on the reading of Video Nation,
Thoughts on YouTube as a Video platform for teaching and craft tutorials
4: Plans
for Project 2; Personal thoughts on the growing appeal of the handmade
marketplace
5: Mid-semester
reflection on independent study
6: Plans
for project 3; list of links to the best websites and tutorials I have found so
far this semester
7: Review
of one niche craft book; Difference between niche craft books and niche craft
projects online
8: Plans
for Project 4; learning outcomes so far
9: Plans
for my final project and how I chose this project; what I hope to create
10: Final
reflections on independent study as a whole
Loose Guidelines for Projects:
Project 1: Create
a YouTube video teaching a craft skill
Project 2: Create
a digital tutorial for a specific craft project
Project 3: Thoroughly
review one project or book. This can be made in a video blog (un-boxing/review
style video) or in written blog form with pictures.
Project 4: Watch
film “Austenland”, write short personal reflection on fan culture, and create one
niche craft project (preferably Jane Austen-themed but not necessarily so) with
a tutorial included
Final Project: Create a tutorial or video that displays the knowledge gained during the
semester. This project must include a 2-4 page double-spaced reflection on the
choices made for the project (i.e. choice of social media platform, choice of
skill to teach, choice of project to create, etc.)
Grading:
Project 1: 10%
Project 2: 15%
Project 3: 15%
Project 4: 15%
Final Project: 25%
Blog Posts: 20%
Projects will be graded
based on creativity, originality, and mainly, attention to the prompt and how
well you followed the guidelines.
Blog Posts will be graded for completion
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