Course Credit (CEUs)
Special Topics Syllabus: Bioneers Sustainability Conference
October17-19, 2008
Professor: Lynne H. Goodhart
Utah State University
Logan, Utah 84322-5249
lynne.goodhart@comcast.net; 435-752-7581 - Consultation by appointment
Registration for Credit
Students in regular matriculated programs on campus: For 1 credit, register for: ENVS 4950 – SEC 002, CRN 42830. For three credits, sign up for: ENVS 6900 – SEC 003, CRN 43831. You must go through registrar’s office by submitting a Course Add/Drop form. Course Add/Drop forms are available there or from the instructor, Lynne Goodhart, at conference, or before the conference in Natural Resources Rm. 201. Description of work follows. Please note: If you are registering after September 18th, you must fill out a Petition for Late Add form, available in NR 201.
For Professional Credit (or attendees with undergrad degree, non matriculated)
Extension registration. Must pay recording fee, $15 per credit. For one credit, register for: ENVS 4950 sec code__ CRN ___ (course reference or index number). For two to three credits, sign up for: ENVS 6900 sec code L01 2 CR , CRN 53959. Description of work follows. Course approval forms available from instructor, Lynne Goodhart, at conference.
Introduction
The Bioneers Conference assembles annually leading social and scientific innovators to share visionary and practical solutions for restoring the Earth. With its focus on tangible strategies and multidisciplinary programming, the conference provides scientists, farmers, educators, policy makers, professionals, students and concerned citizens the unique opportunity to share information, cross-pollinate ideas, and forge new alliances and contacts. By promoting interdisciplinary approaches and featuring a high caliber of speakers, the Bioneers Conference has achieved renown as one of the nation’s foremost environmental gatherings. Utah State University is honored to be one of the 21 sites around the country to host Bioneers.
Purpose of Course
The purpose of this conference is to communicate practical and visionary solutions for our most pressing environmental and social challenges.
Goals/Objectives
- To engage and catalyze community, teachers, and student leaders.
- To equip conference participants with the tools and resources to meet our most pressing environmental and social challenges.
- To connect with the community and its environmental and social issues
- To provide inspiration and education geared to taking action and catalyzing wider citizen participation.
- To promote a more just, humane, and authentically sustainable society.
- To promote the restoration of our imperiled ecosystems.
Course Description
Presentations, assignments, and student activities are planned to promote sustainable living. Students will be given information and assignments that allow them to integrate all of the parts of the course into their own idea of what sustainable living means to them. Along with the concepts, ideas, and opinions about different aspects of sustainable living, this course will guide students toward a sustainable way of life.
Learning Outcomes
Increased knowledge and understanding of practical solutions for restoring the Earth and people, and why it is important to have a humane and sustainable society. Appreciation of human beings’ capacity to change and reinvent our culture very rapidly.
As a result of the conference activities, participants will be given the opportunity to develop skills and abilities in critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, and practical skills that can be applied to their individual lives.
Topics Covered in Conference
National Plenary Speakers
Friday October 17, 2008
Paul Stamets: Solutions from the Underground: Using Fungi to Help Save the World
Erica Fernandez: Si, Se Puede! (Yes, We Can!)
Ray Anderson: Sustainability in Action
Kavita Ramdas: Shakti, Shanti, Sangam: Power, Peace and the Politics of Change
Alexandra Cousteau: Saving Our Water Planet
Saturday, October 18
Janine Benyus: Nature’s 100 Best: Top Biomimicry Solutions to Environmental Crises
Dune Lankard: Sustainable Solutions Over Centuries: A New Business Model
David Orr: Some Like It Hot, But Lots Don’t: The Changing Climate of US Politics
Bill McKibben: A Special Public Service Announcement on the “350.org” climate
Initiative: Mother Nature approved this message
Greg Watson: Twelve Degrees of Freedom: Lessons Learned from Twenty-Five Degrees Of Environmental Activism
Sandra Steingraber : The Environmental Life of Children—from Placenta to Puberty
Sunday, October 19
Lucas Benitez: Fighting for Justice for Farmworkers
Christine Loh: The “Development’ Imperative for Asians
Naomi Klein: The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster capitalism
Rebecca Moore: Google Earth: Visualizing Change, Mapping the Future
Rick Reed: Collaborating on a Grand Scale: Think Systemically and Act Collaboratively
In addition to the national plenaries listed above, there will be a series of local workshops centered around the themes of food and energy independence for Cache Valley. You will receive a handout on these and you are expected to attend one session for each time slot. The first paper you write will consist of response and analysis of the national plenaries and the workshops you attend.
Assignments
For one credit, matriculated or professional:
Attend the whole conference, or a minimum of fifteen hours of presentations, dividing your time between national plenary speakers and local workshops. List sessions attended. In addition to attending the conference, write a two-to-three page double spaced response paper. You might include or list what you learned from plenaries and workshops: what new ideas, what new perspectives you gained. What were your favorite presentations, and why? If you did not agree with some perspectives, say why you hold another view. Teachers and professionals, include a brief indication of how the conference materials can be used in your work or your approach to work.
For two credits, professionals and graduates only: ( ENVS 6900 only)
In addition to the above, read Janine Benyus’s book, Biomimicry. Write a five page response paper including your brief resume of major points made in the book, and your response to them. Does the book contain important guidance for restoring the earth and living communities depending upon it? What struck you the most? What caused you to disagree? How can you use or apply the concepts presented?
For three credits, professionals and graduates only: (ENVS 6900 only)
Read Fred Krupp’s book, Earth: The Sequel. Write a five-page response paper
following instructions given above..
Due date for papers:
Papers are due December 1, 2008, and can be sent on email to lynne.goodhart@comcast.net, or mailed to Lynne H. Goodhart care of the Department of Environment and Society, College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-5215.
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