The specializations in the IMA program are an evolving process. This information is current as of Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and is subject to change and adapt over time.

The background/brainstorming work towards this specialization can be found under Week 2 (due 18 May 2025) .

Specialization title:

Portal theory (Defined by poet-scholar Lev Mirov as “a way of entering stories that changes you” (personal communication, May 14, 2025))

Specialization outcomes:

1. Prepare for a career as a public intellectual and for future academic work
   1. Deepen skills for current career as a school librarian (K-12)
2. Build on the idea of portal theory
3. Engage in critical investigation and research into portal theory
4. Develop portal theory as a form of resistance
5. Incorporate non-traditional research outputs into academic work
   1. Creative writing
      1. Children’s literature
      2. Poetry
      3. Speculative memoir
      4. Public academic writing
   2. Fiber arts (Crochet)