Eye-Opener: Memo

Excited and daunted about life and the Honors Capstone Program

"sometimes I think my weakness is my passion..." ~anonymous

I was in Harlan Gallery and I heard somes actors for kindertranport learning European accents- I can't wait to see this play...

Below is my proposal for my honors capstone...it's been a while since I saw this and looking at it now, I feel daunted by it, rest assure I'm still doing it...

Outline of Proposal

Michael Diezmos, a Seton Hill University (SHU) student in the Honors Program, double majoring in Creative Writing and Literature,

a. Proposal: petitions to have a Project capstone that addresses cultural education of Filipinos and non-Filipinos by interpreting a local popular folk tale in a format of picture book, which would help preserve the heritage of the Philippines and her people.

b. Social Relevance: This project addresses the importance of literacy in today’s world and will hopefully inspire others to read and to take care of their environment.

c. Personal Challenge: It requires that Michael would have to step out of his westernized environment to interact with non-westernized natives of Northern Luzon (instead of the urban Manila).

d. Two Disciplines: It also requires Michael to apply research on location and creativity and marketing which are essential in the Publishing World (Creative Writing Core).

e. Field Work: His fieldwork will be a stay in the Philippines for 2 to 3 months. For the first 2 to 3 weeks, he will research in local libraries in the Philippines such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Library and Archives. He will try to interview professors in the University of Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) campus. These activities will prepare Michael to research on location. He will travel to the rural northern Luzon in designated locals for at least 4 weeks: Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, Baguio City and the Banaue Rice Terrace. The last weeks will be dedicated to post-consultations with Philippine contacts: professors of UPLB, CCP and Tourist Information Center. The rest of the stay will be dedicated to organizing collected data.

f. Presentation: At the Honors Banquet Michael will present final product of a picture book. He will talk about oral traditions, the process of his research and have a reading of it (also have a reading with the Child Development Center (CDC) kids in March before they graduate). My presentation will be like a cultural day event in which I will invite SHU International Student Organization (ISO) to read with me some stories from their countries. If possible, they will be able to wear national costumes and have treats from their homeland. Adults and children are all welcome and invited to participate.

Details of Proposal

1. Challenges Student Abilities

a. Information Gathering: Interview natives/professors/village historians/story keepers by using photography, video and audio recording. Unobtrusive observation by being in the actual location.
b. Document Production: Thesis: Trying to accurately record oral tradition/history using text and images in the specific fields of folk tales/myths (origins)
c. Information Presentation: Finish product – a ‘chap’ book of a folk story translated/reinterpreted and illustrated by Michael Diezmos.

2. Addresses a Social Relevant Issue
a. Inspire kids to read (literacy issue)
b. Cultural education – people being aware of Philippine culture
c. Preserve Philippine heritage

3. Two Disciplines in Major and Liberal Core
I. Creative Writing Core
a. Blend of creativity and marketing
b. Research experience/field study on location
c. Publishing
II. Liberal Core: Skills for Historical and Global Awareness
a. Historical Perspective: Appreciating the human quest for meaning through history
b. Global Context: Understanding the impact of geography in culture.

4. Incorporate a Fieldwork Component
a. Community location: Northern Luzon- Hundred Islands, Baguio City, Banue Rice Terrace.

5. Costs
a. $800 plane tickets roundtrip
b. $500 traveling on land, food, lodging etc.

6. Transportation
a. Airplane ride- 23 hours from U.S to the Philippine Islands
b. Land transportation- jeep, car, walking etc.

7. Time
a. 2 to 3 months in the Philippines

Tentative Calendar (Four parts)
Part 1: Preparation
Fall 2005
September to December
a. Shadow Mike Rubino as he design layout for SHU’s literary Magazine Eye Contact (in order to learn design concept in a computer – useful for final product)
b. Take World Literature with Professor Wendland (to get basic themes and styles of non-western literature)
c. Take Painting with Professor Brode (to learn painting and illustration techniques)

Spring 2006
January to May
a. Take Writing of Fiction: to practice writing (helpful for final product)
b. Take Publication Workshop with Dr. Arnzen (beneficial to experience)

Part 2: Going to the Philippines (Mid-May to Mid-August)
Summer 2006
Late May to Mid June
a. Go to Phil. Libraries
b. Consult with Filipino professors who specialize in Filipino literature
Mid June to Mid July
a. Travel on location
b. Interview natives

Mid July to early August
a. Post consultation with Professors
b. Final gathering of info on location

Part 3: Putting it all together
Fall 2006
September to December
a. 1st draft of interpretation done
b. Finished illustrations for it
c. Have a “mock copy” finished for review by Adviser
d. Find a printer that print it (something inexpensive)
e. Final draft will be sent to printer either at the end of Fall 2006 semester or beginning of Spring 2007 semester.

Part 4: Presentation
a. After receiving “bound” copy of finish product, I will invite the CDC kids in Reeve’s Library and have a reading.
b. I will present what I did to the honors banquet.
c. I will send a manuscript version of the final product to:

Children’s Book Press (who publishes multicultural literature for children featuring traditional and contemporary stories from minority and new immigrant cultures in America today)

Address:
Children’s Book Press,
6400 Hollis, Suite#4
Emeryville, CA 94608

Posted by Michael Diezmos at October 26, 2005 12:44 PM