Rhode Island is more than the place you call home. If you’re a typical long-time Rhode Islander or a relative newcomer you’ve developed attachments to many of the special places here, and you may have stories of spaces that the map has missed. Though small, our state is packed with awe-inspiring and quiet experiences and personal resonance. What are the places and spaces that have become your favorites and have shaped your memories? This course will be both an exploration of Rhode Island geography and a chance for you to share your personal mental maps.

Format: After the first class session which will explore the geography of Rhode Island, class participants will be asked to select one or two of their favorite places in the state and share these with the class. These presentations will be in the form of descriptions, remembrances, and background information and may include visuals such as photographs and PowerPoints, although those are not required. Participants are encouraged to make their presentations both personal and informative. By the end of our course, we will have created a new kind of interactive and annotated map of the state.

Resources/Expenses: No special materials are required, and there is no cost involved. Links to readings and resources will be provided by the coordinator.

Coordinator: Matt Hodge taught history and geography in the Warwick school system for thirty-three years and has worked for decades with the Rhode Island Geography Education Alliance.

Photo: Rusty Watson | Unsplash