Literature of Revolutions Class Creates Their Own Revolutionary Zines

Rebecca Van Horn’s Literature of Revolutions class has been focusing on banned books and marginalized voices in publishing. On Thursday, October 26, the students visited Anderson Library, where they got a chance to create their own zines about a cause that requires, in their opinion, revolutionary action.

Each student selected a cause that reflect their passion – from racial justice to the environment – and then created an 8-page mini magazine using collage techniques to illustrate their point of view. Zines are typically non-commercial, non-professional publications that add unheard voices into the mix. 

The Literature of Revolutions course focuses primarily on global revolutions caused by decolonization in the twentieth century. So far, Ms. Van Horn’s class has examined case studies in Ireland and Nigeria, and considered revolutionary artwork, music, poetry, and short stories from those places. In tandem with these sources, the class has explored and critiqued theoretical frameworks of revolution by Albert Camus, Frantz Fanon, and Dale Yoder. Most recently, students have identified marginalized voices that are highlighted in the work of Nigerian artist Aina Onabolu.

Several Middle School English classes, the 11^th Grade American History Advanced Seminar, and the Dystopian Literature class also engaged in these workshops as part of the Anderson Library’s new “special edition” monthly workshops.