This content was published: December 12, 2003. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
TWO ITEMS: Class offers psych training for writers
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Character development – it’s what separates mundane books from Pulitzer-winning novels. Portland Community College will offer an opportunity to get inside the head of your characters and find out what makes them tick with an upcoming non-credit class.Psychological Theories of Personality for Writers uses true-life psychological principles to create your fictional characters. Instructor Jacob Spilman will help the writer to make accurate observations, clarify internal conflicts and develop relationships. Through lectures, role-play and observation exercises, your characters will lift off the page."This class will help you create characters that stay with readers long after the story is over,"said Ed Kaiel, PCC Community Education manager. "It’s an excellent opportunity to tune up your writing skills and gain real psychological insight."The five-week class will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 5 through Feb. 9, in Room 224 at Grant High School, 2245 N.E. 36th. Cost is $75. For more information, contact PCC Community Education at 503-731-6832. ###Easy as 1-2-3: encourage your child’s success in mathPORTLAND, Ore. – Let’s face it, math is a hard subject. But it doesn’t have to be a constant source of anxiety for your child or for you as a parent. A new Portland Community College non-credit series will teach parents how to end the homework tension and set your children up for success in math.Math Series: Encouraging Your Child’s Success, a three-week series, will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12 through Feb. 2, in Room 124 at Grant High School, 2245 N.E. 36th. Cost is $39 for the series, $20 for an individual lecture. The series is co-lead by Kris McCoy and Barbara Kerr, math-certified instructors with more than 20 years of public and private teaching experience. Topics are as follows:? How to Get From Math Fear to Math Fun (Jan. 12). Have fun doing math even if it’s challenging for you or your child. Learn how to cope with math phobia – for either parent or student. Discover how much you already know about math and how you can use it to help your child.? Hands On, Eyes Open, Ears in Tune (Jan. 19). Explore how your child learns best and how to coordinate your own learning style with his or hers. Learn ways to help your child use personal strengths to improve math skills at home and school.? Homework with a Little Help from Socrates (Feb. 2). Learn how to make math homework an enjoyable experience, how to make sense out of assignments, and gain tips on working with teachers and the school system.For more information, contact PCC Community Education at 503-731-6832.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »