Students will 1) explore basic theories and principles that contribute to EcoJustice Education; 2) examine the ways cultural, linguistic and biological diversities intersect to contribute to democratic and ecologically sustainable communities; 3) examine the deep cultural roots of intersecting social and ecological problem; 4) identify those values, practices, traditions, beliefs and relationships in their own communities that contribute to healthy and sustainable communities. Accordingly, they will connect these to other diverse “commons-based” practices in other parts of the world; and 5) address educators’ responsibilities in creating curricular and pedagogical responses to these problems in schools and across a variety of contexts.

Content: This course focuses on what we might mean by diverse, democratic and ecologically sustainable communities in the context of a globalizing world.  Students will examine the deeply embedded cultural roots of modern industrial societies currently causing great social and ecological harms.  And they will analyze those social, cultural and economic values and practices in their own communities that could be revitalized and revalued to help strengthen solutions to these problems.  We will explore together “pedagogies of responsibility” as we examine what educators’ role ought to be in this process

Modes of study: Lectures, discussions, reading, short essays, final presentations

Selected chapters from Martusewicz, et al, (2015). EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse, Democratic and Sustainable Communities (Routledge), and other selected articles and films.

Enrolment for the course ends September 24th.

The course is designed also for doctoral students. For detailed instructions about the course assignment, please contact Prof. Martusewicz.