Peer 2 Peer University:

This course was designed specifically with Peer 2 Peer University in mind. P2PU is a non-profit organization that facilitates equitable learning beyond institutional walls. They have developed a new model for online and offline learning called Learning Circles which are lightly-facilitated study groups for people who want to take online courses, together, in-person. These facilitated learning circles ensure that more people have access to free online courses and the motivation to finish an online course, they might not have finished were they to take it on their own.

About This Course:

– This is a 7-week FREE online course, taught as a Learning Circle, where you will do most of the work at home and will then meet in person once a week for two hours to discuss the work you’ve done, share your work, and problem solve together as a group. 
– Registration is required, and should be done before attending the first in-person class through the P2PU website. 
– This class covers the basics of world building, including: the physical world and its maps, creating cultures, languages, magic and technology, as well as aliens and other creatures. 
– Specific links, dates, and locations for the class will be provided on a handout, as this website may be used by multiple classes at the same time.
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Class Discussion:

1.) Introduce yourself: Name & preferred pronouns (if any). What/who is your favorite book or author that has good world building? Are you currently working on something you plan to develop during the class?
2.) What does world building mean to you? 
3.) What influences/inspires your writing? Is it pop culture? Music? Things you see happening around you on the street? How does it influence your work? 
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Writing a Letter to Fear:

Read A Letter to Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is an optional exercise that can be done at home or during class if there is time.
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Group Assignments:

1.) This is just a quick exercise to help you get to know your classmates in a fun way. In small groups, choose to write fantasy or futuristic sci-fi. Then have one person choose a location (ex. space ship, planet, mountains, ocean, forest, city, small town…), another should come up with  two basic characters, and the last with a simplified plot. Work together as a group to write a paragraph or two as the start of a story. Share your work with the class.

LTWF: World-Building Course Syllabus