This semester-long project introduces participants to the professional world of book publishing by engagning them in a semester-long book writing project that culminates in the production and printing of a real publication about various historial, social and cultural issues in their community. Regular and heritage learners of Russian work together in small groups of 2-3 students on collecting documents, ethnographic and cultural artifacts, pictures and photographs for a self-published book about Russian speakers and Russian communities in their geographical area. Each group selects TWO topics/mini-projects they want to explore during this PBLL activity: DOCUMENTS and PEOPLE & PLACES. The first topic is research-oriented (DOCUMENTS). Students research a question or topic related to the history of Russian immigration to their area, for example, Historical Accounts about First Russian Speaking Immigrants, History of Russian Newspapers, etc. The second topic is related to cultural traditions, ethnographic observations, and real stories and biographies (PEOPLE and PLACES), for example, Russians and Russian Grocery Stores: The foods that make me homesick, etc. Students investigate each topic by engaging with documents, local archives and newspaper publication, as well as by interacting with local community members and representatives of the city administration. The publishing component includes several phases: topic research and collection of materials for a chapter, chapter writing and work with the peer-editor and editor-in-chief (instructor or TA in the course), preparation of the book blueprint, collaboration with a publishing company, development of a publicity campaign, distribution of printed books in various communicaty locations, and reflection on the project outcomes.
Tasks not specified.
Tasks not specified.
Tasks not specified.
Tasks not specified.
Public link to the Public Product
Here is the link to an online edition of《Русскоговорящая Аризона》("Russian-speaking Arizona"), the publication which was the final product in this project in Fall 2017:
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