Lesson Report:
**Title: Understanding Boundaries: Inside, Outside, and the Concept of Wu**
**Synopsis:** In this session, students continued exploring the complex themes of boundaries, focusing specifically on the concepts of inside and outside spaces, both physically and metaphorically. The lesson aimed to deepen students’ understanding of how these boundaries shape personal and communal identity and purpose. Through reflective writing, group reading, and interactive discussions, students engaged with philosophical and historical texts to examine the multifaceted nature of boundaries and emptiness as a purposeful concept.
**Attendance:** No absences were mentioned in the transcript.
**Topics Covered:**
1. **Introduction to Boundaries:**
– Reviewed the concept of boundaries introduced in previous sessions.
– Discussed the objective of exploring ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ spaces.
2. **Reflective Writing Activity:**
– Students were prompted to describe a space where they feel comfortable, noting the physical and metaphorical boundaries that define it.
3. **Reading and Analyzing Texts:**
– **Tao Te Ching:**
– Introduced students to the concept of ‘Wu’, the idea of useful emptiness.
– Discussed how absence creates purpose, using examples like a water bottle and room.
– **Bart Verschoffel’s “The Interior as Architectural Principle”:**
– Explored how interior space is created and modified through boundaries, focusing on the creation of ‘inside’ spaces within architecture.
– **Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”:**
– Provided historical context and discussed MLK’s fight against racial segregation and injustice in the U.S.
– Highlighted the metaphorical boundaries of societal roles and legal systems, inviting students to discuss the ethical implications of just and unjust laws.
4. **Loop Writing Activity:**
– Guided students through a series of reflective writing prompts connecting the texts and exploring the themes of purpose and identity.
– Questions included examining connections between the readings, formulating questions about the texts, and selecting significant parts of the readings.
5. **Conclusion and Sharing Reflections:**
– Students read aloud selected passages from their writings to share insights and interpretations of the day’s themes.
**Actionable Items:**
– **Follow-Up on Wu Concept:**
– Further explore the application of ‘Wu’ as useful emptiness in personal and academic contexts.
– **Prepare for Upcoming Activity:**
– Instructor should finalize preparation for the “big, fun activity” planned for the next lesson.
– **Text Annotation Preparation:**
– Arrange materials and guidance for the text annotation session ahead.
– **Student Feedback:**
– Consider gathering student feedback on lesson materials to tailor future sessions effectively.
These actionable items align with the themes discussed and aim to bolster the students’ critical engagement with the course materials.
Homework Instructions:
NO HOMEWORK. The transcript ends with “No homework for tomorrow. Relax. Take it easy. Please get some sleep.” indicating that no homework was assigned.