STUDY | COURSES
The International Class
Playful & philosophical; demanding & developmental; mundane & magical
An immersion program in Social Therapeutics for performance activists and other social change leaders
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Program Details
A 9-Month Intensive Online Program
With deepening social, environmental and political crises worldwide, many who want to make a difference in the world are finding that they need new tools to make social change, to grow, and to develop their communities.
The East Side Institute’s International Class is a 9-month virtual immersion in creative and cultural approaches to human development, learning, and social change. The course introduces and examines social therapeutics, a philosophically informed, practically oriented method in which human beings develop themselves while building the ensemble, group and community.
Social therapeutics has influenced both the postmodern and cultural-historical, activity-theoretic movements in psychology, education, community and organizational development. And as a unique synthesis of individual and community development, social therapeutics has unlimited potential to reinvigorate social activists and re-initiate developmental social change.
For over a decade, The International Class has been using and creating tools for long distance learning with diverse groupings. Our faculty have expertise in fostering rigorous and intimate class environments and for mining the ever-expanding potential of technology for creativity and development. Participants in the class have the opportunity to create a global support network, to engage the philosophical, political and psychological issues of their practices and to study as developmentalists.
Curriculum
A Zone of Development
Designed and led by Institute co-founder Lois Holzman, the program provides a unique opportunity for practitioners and scholars from the US and internationally to:
- Explore the Institute’s cutting-edge, developmental, performatory methodology, its 45-year history and on-the-ground practical relevance today
- Create a developmental learning environment unique to your cohort
- Examine ideological and non-ideological forms of activism and ways to create something new with differences
- Participate in innovative educational, cultural and community-building programs with people around the world
- Develop and receive support to advance your own projects and research; build international ties and support networks
A Flexible Structure and Curriculum
Week-long Intensives. The International Class meets for three week-long intensives, one in October, one in February and one in June. Students will have an opportunity to observe and participate in social therapeutic group activities, improv classes, workshops and seminars. Intensives will include an introduction to the Institute’s alliances and initiatives with guest faculty who will introduce cultural, educational and political change organizations that the Institute works with closely.
Ongoing Study (both live and asynchronous). In between intensives, students continue their studies with International Class core faculty through Google Groups discussion and bimonthly live Zoom calls.
Public Classes, Events and Workshops. Students will engage in a variety of classes, events and workshops offered to the public by the Institute throughout the year.
Topics Covered
Week-long Intensives and Ongoing Study will focus on:
- The Politics, Philosophy and Psychology of Social Therapeutics
- Youth Development
- Performance Activism
- The Postmodernizing of Marx, Vygotsky and Wittgenstein
- Play, Performance, Learning and Development
- Improvisation and Theater
- Community Organizing
- Independent Fundraising
Hear what our alumni say:
“During the International Class, I found an international family and community with whom to change the world. The most important thing I came to understand is we human beings are who we are and who we are becoming, at the same time. Being in the world is a continuous and infinite process, we are never finished. I have learned to embrace uncertainty and accept growth opportunities — not as tasks to be solved, but as ways to explore. I am currently working to bring the social therapeutic approach into Latin American and Spanish speaking contexts.”
“I’ve been a school principal for 25 years and now work with teachers from four different countries and students representing six different nationalities. The International Class helped me find a path toward creating relational and emotional activities which keep me developing — independent of ideology, truth, labels and programmatics. I am immensely grateful to Lois Holzman, who gave me back the pleasure of learning and teaching in the classroom.”
“The International Class has made me learn to challenge some of my old beliefs and to peel away the rigid self-image that we all try to portray. The cultural and economic differences of students in the program gave us an even broader viewpoint on all the topics that were discussed.”
“For the last 11 years, I have worked as a CEO of a Brazilian subsidiary focusing on corporate goals and stakeholders’ desires. After a tough year, I decided to take a sabbatical and join the International Class. In the program, I studied with classmates from a variety of social-historical-cultural backgrounds. We explored new performance approaches, tool-and-result methodology, the concept of being and becoming, the magic of play, and the limitations of knowing. I have successfully incorporated these revolutionary ideas into my life, deconstructing and reconstructing myself and my work. It’s been so joyful!”
Applications for the 2024-25 program will be accepted through June 15
Tuition is $4,000; and is payable in installments.
A limited number of full and partial tuition scholarships are available.
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For more information, contact: Melissa Meyer, Associate Director: mmeyer@eastsideinstitute.org
The East Side Institute is an international education and research center for new approaches to human development and community building. We develop and promote practices that relate to people of all ages as social performers of their lives.