Reframing Rural: Rural Representations in the Media & Rural Issues in the West
| Dates: | January 24 - February 14, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Meets: | W from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Location: | Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church |
| Cost: | $40.00 |
Sorry, the signup deadline has passed.
Please note: This course program requires membership in a 2023-2024 OLLI at MSU Membership
Description
The story of rural America is evolving from one of division and despair to one of hope and homecoming. Harmful rural stereotypes are being phased out as rural and Indigenous storytellers broadcast their perspectives to a wider audience. Amid a post-pandemic exodus from urban centers, rural America has been in the spotlight. The course will use film, podcasts, print and other media to examine romanticized and negative rural stereotypes. The course will also explore the power of complex and optimistic rural narratives and current issues facing the rural West.
Course Takeaways
This course will explore dominant rural narratives in society, the pervasiveness of "urbanormativity," and the link between rural stereotypes and resource extraction. We will also examine the movement to reframe rural and media that aims to positively impact rural places and people. Rural issues specific to the West include rural "brain drain," rural gentrification, absentee out-of-state land ownership, agricultural issues, the influence of Big Ag, aging farmers and farm succession, Indigenous food sovereignty, and the organic and regenerative agriculture movements.
Scholarship
Apply for a needs-based scholarship to take this offering.
Meet the Instructor
| Fee: | $40.00 |
Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church
2152 Graf St Bozeman, MT 59718http://www.hopebozeman.com/#/welcome/directions-to-hope
Megan Torgerson
Megan Torgerson, MFA, is the founder and producer of the award-winning podcast "Reframing Rural." She grew up on a farm and ranch in Dagmar, Montana, and continues to work in agricultural communities across the West. Megan was awarded the inaugural Public Humanities Fellowship from Humanities Washington in 2022, and in 2023 received an award from the international audio festival Third Coast. She frequently collaborates with the Red Ants Pants Foundation and is co-producing a short documentary film on two first-generation women ranchers.| Date | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/24/2024 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM to 4 PM | Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church |
| 01/31/2024 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM to 4 PM | Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church |
| 02/07/2024 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM to 4 PM | Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church |
| 02/14/2024 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM to 4 PM | Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church |