I joined the CSL/OIS team in October 2017. Previously, I worked as an Administrative Assistant in Centre for Writers at the University of Alberta where I was also a peer-tutor. I appreciate that the CSL program at the University of Alberta encourages students to participate in working with non-profit organizations, having volunteered for EMCN (Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers), worked for Capital Regional Housing Corp and the YMCA, in the past. I hold a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major,  in Psychology and English, from the University of Alberta. I am an avid fiction writer, and enjoy reading other people’s written work as well.

Abigail David, Administrative Assistant 

As my time as CSL Intern comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on everything that I have learned, all the people that I’ve met, and all of the new experiences that I have had. 

Through this internship, I had the amazing opportunity to meet so many new people, and hear their stories. The staff in the office were so welcoming, and I am grateful for their kindness. Their work is so important and valuable to the university community, and I am so thankful that I, as a CSL student, get to experience the programs and courses that they have created! Through my work on the Faces of CSL photoblog, I had the chance to meet with many instructors, students, and community partners that are all involved with CSL. Their stories were incredible, and after meeting them, I was consistently left in awe of their dedication and passion for their work. 

I truly believe in CSL as a pedagogy. By providing students with real life experiences, they feel more connected to their learning, and more passionate and motivated in their drive to create positive social change. CSL is a powerful way to connect students with their community, and in this internship, I have had the chance to witness the effects of that. As a future teacher, I will carry this knowledge and experience with me, and use it to provide my future students with both meaningful community experiences and opportunities for critical reflection. 

I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. Thanks again to everyone that I worked with, and I wish everyone a wonderful winter break! 

Cassidy Cook, CSL Student Intern 

HUMANITIES 101

November 15th was the end-of-term celebration at Wings of Providence. The theme for the past term was "Radical Women: Across place and time" and was a great success! The women who participated contributed an incredible depth of written work and you can find a copy of the magazine we produced here. We would like to thank the following for the continued support of the Wings program, Michelle Meagher, Valérie Savard, Nat Hurley, Beverly Lemire, Jill Flaman, Sheena Wilson, and Lianne McTavish. The Wings program is taught by volunteer faculty who come term after term with new ideas, enthusiasm, and strong support. There would be no program without this incredible amount of volunteer labour - thank you!

We are just a few weeks from celebrating the end-of-term here at our on-campus program. We need to take a very long pause and thank the USchool folks for making this term possible. With the faulty elevator in Arts and Convocation Hall, HUM found itself without accessible space, thankfully USchool very graciously opened the doors to their space and it has been amazing! Really, truly we are so grateful their support. In addition to USchool we need to thank Matt Dance, Juan Guevar, Sara Dorow, Richard Kover, Kelsi Barkway, Jay Friesen, Emily Tyler, Jesse Carson, Kaylyn Nadon, Rylan Kafara, Judy Davidson, Allison Sivak, Keely Stenberg, Mukonzi Musyoki, Beatrice Poletti, Vanessa Zembal, Caitlin Wheeler, Janine Pishor, and Erin Carter for volunteering time, ideas, energy, and support for our on-campus program, thank you!

Lisa Prins, HUM Coordinator

CSL is excited to partner with the River City Chicken Collective (RCCC) this year.  The RCCC is an informal group of citizens who support responsible hen care in urban environments.  They provide education and resources to Edmonton and area residents who are interested and/or involved in the City of Edmonton's Urban Hen Program.  This Fall term RCCC is partnering with Dr. Brent Swallow's AREC 173: Plate, Planet & Society Class, working with students to produce a best practices guide for wintering over hens in Edmonton's northern climate.  They will be working with ALES 204: Communications Fundamentals students in the Winter term to develop communications tools that can be used to engage and educate at public events and online, a project for which they will also receive a Small Grant.