The Syllabus: October 2025

The Archivist's personal curriculum that includes everything you'll need to prepare for October's essays.

Welcome to the very first Gatekept syllabus. We’ll cover a range of topics in my essays this month, some I’m familiar with and some just I’m interested in learning more about. Gatekept will always be, first and foremost, about my thirst for knowledge in general so I will be reading and learning right along with you, the majority of the time.

This month’s syllabus will be available in video format for free on my TikTok - as part of the launch strategy - but henceforth will be a paid option only past week 2.

This is the preliminary version of the syllabus and each week’s syllabus email will be significantly more detailed. The preliminary allows you to get a head start.

I so appreciate any level of support you give Gatekept. 🤍

Some general instructions:

These books will almost always be at your local libraries and I will link a free online version if possible to help with accessibility, otherwise I will link the first retailer that pops up when I google the resource. Copy and paste the titles into your public library’s search function, place it on hold, go pick it up or download it via Libby. I will also link any resources that summarize the ideas of any large amounts of reading to assist people with time constraints or if you just happen to have a busy week but would still like to stay on track.

Nothing is expected of you here at Gatekept and you are an adult, do with your time as you please. However, I would like to encourage you to participate in my comment sections on any platform you see fit. Ask questions about things you don’t understand or want other’s thoughts on. Message me if you have any questions about content or help.

You’ll never need to have read any of this material to understand what I’ll be writing each week. It’s just for fun and further context, so read what you can and don’t sweat it. We will do a recap at the end of the month with additional, more bite sized sources.

Some self assigned “homework” ideas if you’re that person:

-Make a quick video about what you learned that week (tagging me is optional of course, but so appreciated)

-Set a timer for 45 minutes, read my weekly essay or a 10-12 page section from one of the resources, write a short analytical essay of what you read.

Feel free to tag me in these or post them in comments and I’ll give my thoughts if possible!

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Recommended assets:

• A working definition of “taste” (it’ll change weekly, that’s the point)

• The ability to be uncomfortable, comfortably.

• A dedicated notebook & pen (optional, but it’s highly encouraged to journal your thoughts)

• A browser folder labeled “The Archive”. (Doesn’t have to be a browser folder but I cannot express enough the need to save things!)

• A library card. The Libby app for extra access.

• Pinterest or Are.na Account to use as a portable visual aide.