The Free Speech Movement and the struggle for Peoples Park in Berkeley was a historic moment to challenge authoritarianism within our University, City, and the world at large. The counter-revolutionary culture at Berkeley challenges the question of what is morally just, how to eliminate poverty, and how to reverse the "status quo" known as "the machine."

By contesting private land ownership through user development, People’s Park has became a global icon with its ingenuity and intentional design. Peoples Park is well known for survival under capitalism where access to resources, refuge, and opportunities to create art and culture in limited public space.

Our goal is to inspire the “next generation of user-developers and grassroots activists” towards sustainable development that challenges barriers to access in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems for future generations on the basis of non-violence and decentralization. The long-term goal of this course is to demonstrate to the University's community that a sustainable society, which does not depend on continual expansion for survival, is possible here, and now, in Huchiun (known as Berkeley).

Grading Policy:

Grading will be based on a pass/fail framework depending on the participation and development of designs regarding People’s Park. A "passing" grade in this class implies most classroom activities, team projects, watching guest speakers and the final paper was done with proficiency.

Note: Some participation activities will be assigned individually, in small groups, and for the entire class. Regardless of whether students work in teams, or independently, all will be graded by the impacts they design for for Peoples Park.

A large portion of this class will be spent outside on campus to learn the geography of our southside Area. You will have the opportunity to design garden plots, art projects and aesthetically pleasing outdoor community space with experienced leader. We look forward to "co-creating" a future for the betterment of our City and University with you.

Summary:

Peoples Park has eluded the University's development for 52 years and we challenge students to utilize maps, models, and spatial analysis to understand and predict what these patterns might lead to. You will have the opportunity to reflect on what you have learned through lectures, class discussions, projects, and case studies within and beyond the classroom. The 2020's is an era where the concepts of democratic principles and freedoms of expression face technological challenges, political polarization, and resource inequities. By the end of our semester, you will have established a humane alternative to "the machine" being guided by mini-design activities that will have lasting impacts for Peoples Park and the University of California, Berkeley.

For more information, please visit: http://about.me/PParkDeCal_F2021 (linked above).

Enrollment is first come, first served. We will have class on Fridays 10-12pm. Our Start Date is 9/3/21. The Last Date to enroll is 9/10/21. Our End Date is 12/3/21. This class is TWO units