Twelve Questions: Reading Toni Morrison’s Beloved with Francesca Lia Block
Mondays, June 9-30
Reading Group
$150
$125
Beloved, the Pulitzer Prize-winning and bestselling novel by Toni Morrison, has complex and multidimensional characters motivated by profound wounds, a setting that provides powerful conflict, and a voice that blends lyrical magical realism with grounded storytelling. Morrison combines these elements, and more, to create a beautiful and brutal novel that examines how one can find freedom by confronting the ghost of the past.
Using twelve craft questions on character, setting, structure, and theme, this four-week class will provide a close analysis of this brilliant novel. Each week, bestselling and award-winning author and writing instructor Francesca Lia Block, author of The Thorn Necklace: Healing Through Writing and the Creative Process and many more books (including her most recent, House of Hearts), will use written assignments, lectures, and in-class discussion prompts to guide you through these questions as they apply to Beloved. You’ll not only learn about Beloved, but also about how to apply these simple but highly effective questions to all your future reading and writing endeavors.
This is a reading group. Designed for writers and readers alike, our reading groups analyze a single text or multiple texts. Classes meet once a week for live Zoom lectures to discuss the reading with the instructor. There may be optional discussion prompts on the online discussion board, but there will not be instructor feedback. Reading group sessions will be recorded.
Schedule
Live lectures will be held on Zoom. Sessions will be recorded for students who have to miss class, however please note that this is not an asynchronous class and we encourage students who enroll to attend all sessions.
Session 1: Monday, June 9, 7-8:30pm ET
Session 2: Monday, June 16, 7-8:30pm ET
Session 3: Monday, June 23, 7-8:30pm ET
Session 4: Monday, June 30, 7-8:30pm ET
Students will need to come to class with their own copy of Beloved by Toni Morrison. Francesca will be referring to the 2004 Vintage edition. (ISBN: 978-1400033416)
About Francesca Lia Block:
Francesca Lia Block, M.F.A., is the author of more than thirty books of fiction, non-fiction, short stories and poetry, and has written screenplay adaptations of her work. She received the Spectrum Award, the Phoenix Award, the ALA Rainbow Award and the 2005 Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as other citations from the American Library Association and from the New York Times Book Review, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly.
Her work has been translated into many languages. Francesca has also published stories, poems, essays and interviews in The Los Angeles Times, The L.A. Review of Books, Spin, Nylon, Black Clock, The Fairy Tale Review, and Rattle, among others. In addition to writing, Francesca teaches fiction at UCLA Extension, Antioch University, Pocket MFA, and privately in Los Angeles.
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration will open soon and will close when the class reaches its cap.
How does the class work?
This class meets weekly for live Zoom discussions for the duration of the course. Students will share responses to the assignments for feedback from their fellow students on Thinkific.
Is participation on the discussion board required?
We encourage all students to share work and to participate in discussions to get the most out of the experience.
Is there homework?
The class will include reading assignments and discussion questions.
How much time will the class take?
Live lessons run for two hours. Plan to spend about 2 hours a week on reading and written discussion questions.
How many students are in the class?
This class is capped at 50 students.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a phone, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
Yes, we have a limited number of scholarships for the class. Scholarships cover 50% of tuition and are intended for students who are unable to pay full price for the course due to financial hardship. Recipients will be selected at random. To enter your information for the drawing, go here.
Discounts & Policies
Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.
Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our patron discount, you must be a member of our patron circle at the time of registration. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in our non-profit organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers or supporters are patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a patron, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: Students can receive full refunds prior to Monday, June 2, and 50% refunds from June 3 to June 8. Class payment is non-refundable after the class’s start date. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.
If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.
