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FYSB 1774: Queer Times

This guide, created by zine librarian Jenna Freedman, accompanies Duygu Ula's Barnard College first year seminar, taught in fall 2023.

History

drawing of an 18th century print press with the banner "The Tyrants Foe. The People's FriendRadical and fandom based self-publishing

(5 minutes)

  • Pamphlets
  • Thomas Paine
  • Harlem Renaissance
  • Science fiction fandom
  • Samizdat
  • Literary chapbooks
  • Alternative/underground press
  • Punk fandom
  • Riot grrrl
  • Is social media self-publishing?

Culture

Riot grrrl is... (manifesto)

Anyone can make a zine

(5 minutes)

But who does?

  • punks
  • activists
  • moms
  • students
  • teachers
  • librarians
  • permaculture enthusiasts
  • crafters
  • cooks
  • hackers

And why

  • sharing
  • loneliness
  • connecting
  • self-expression
  • self-documentation
  • me too-ing
  • giving

Who(m)

Discussion (ten minutes)

  • What are the affordances of zines as a genre?
  • What are the challenges of zines as a genre?
  • Whom are they for?
  • Whom do they empower?