Book Talk with Ruth Gooley: Songs of Mali

About this course:

In 1980, Ruth Gooley joined the Peace Corps as a teacher trainer in Mali, West Africa. She left for her two-year stint as an ESL teacher just weeks after her mother died. In this course, she reflects on how the Malians’ courage and generosity in the face of extreme poverty offered her a new perspective on the human ability to adapt and thrive. She reads selected poems from her book, Songs of Mali, which encapsulate the challenges she faced and the insights she gained. Serving in the Peace Corps was a pivotal moment in her life, which she divides into two parts: before Mali and after Mali. These songs of Mali are a testament to both the Malians and the resilience of the human spirit. Ruth Gooley teaches French for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCLA. This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.