Minor Utopias: Everyday Approaches to a Better World

This FOCUS seminar begins with a consideration of small-scale endeavors by ordinary people to create communities that reflect their values. After spending first half of the semester learning about past efforts to create minor utopias, students will research examples of minor utopias that interest them. Finally, the seminar will work together to develop shared framework for a minor utopia, addressing questions such as: how resources will be developed and shared, how care will be provided to those who need it, how the community's values will be communicated and enforced, and how the community will address violations of those norms.