Proust, cattle and self-governance

Length 11:21
Licensor Claes Andreasson
Producer(s) Claes Andreasson
Formats Debut (not aired nationally), Documentary, Soft Feature
Topics Education, Public Affairs, Youth
Produced July, 2004
Added to PRX July 19, 2004
 

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Summary:

About the unique and little known Deep Springs College

Tones:

Inspiring, NPR NewsMagazine-y, Sound Rich

Language:

English

Description:

High academic standards, hard physical work on the ranch,
and self-governance.
   Deep Springs College is an all-male, two year liberal arts
college. Little known, but by those who do, held in high regards.
   The college, a little oasis in the desert just north of Death Valley
in eastern California, offers Marcel Proust combined with milking
cows, growing alfalfa and running the kitchen.
   And, if not formally, the students pick which students are
admitted. They hire and fire teachers, and set the curriculum.
   Max Gasner is a second year student at Deep Springs. Being
born and raised in New York City, he had barely seen a cow before,
not to mention never milked one...


In order of appearance:
Max Gasner, second year student
Eric Vandenbrink, second year student
David Arndt, professor in literature and philosophy
Max Rome, first year student
Jack Newell, who recently left the college after nine years as president.
 

Music by Max Rome and Cyrus St. Armand-Poliakoff,
both students at Deep Springs.

Producer: Claes Andreasson




This story has not aired nationally. No narrative, all in the first person.
I produced a different version of it for Swedish NPR.

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