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Most of my courses have something
to do with Sustainability Studies, although I also teach other courses in my
academic discipline. If you want to know more about how I teach, have a look
at My Teaching Philosophy (link above). To learn more about the specific
courses I teach, have a look below. Peace............ John M. Gerber
PLSOILIN 100
– Basic Plant Science – FALL – MWF 9:05am-9:55am (GenEd – “BS”) – Fernald
Room 11
This class is an introduction to basic plant science and satisfies the
Biological Sciences General Education requirement. I take a holistic view of
plants including ecology, plant form and function, and inheritance and
evolution. The class is taught using world food, agricultural and gardening
examples as much as possible. Fall semester. 3credits.
For more information, see… PLSOILIN
100 To register, go to SPIRE 36934.
PLSOILIN 103 – Plants & the Environment – SPRING – MWF 10:10am-11:00am –
Fernald 11
This class is an introduction to basic plant physiology. It is required of
many Stockbridge students and generally follows right after PLNTSOIL 102. The
objective of the course is to examine the primary means by which
environmental factors influence plant growth and development. This is a
lecture course, with no labs or discussion periods. All of my notes and
PowerPoint presentations are available on WebCT. There are three exams and
most of the questions are also found on WebCT. Spring semester. 2 credits.
PLSOILIN 265 – Sustainable
Agriculture – FALL – M 12:20pm-4:25pm (lecture & lab) and W
12:20pm-1:10pm (lecture) – Stockbridge Hall 318
This course is designed for both agriculture and non-agriculture students who
want to explore ethical, practical and scientific aspects of the quest for
long term agricultural sustainability. Students will learn about the
economic, social and environmental impacts of food production systems and how
their own choices impact sustainability. There will be a field trip each of
the first 8 - 10 Monday afternoons of the semester, depending on the weather.
Classroom instruction will include assigned readings, decision cases,
lectures, class dialogue, and individual research and student presentations.
Fall semester. 3 credits.
For more information, see… PLSOILIN
265 To register, go to SPIRE 37007 and 37028.
PLSOILIN 285 – Sustainable
Living – SPRING –TuTh 4:00-5:15pm (GenEd – “I”) and an optional 1 credit
Honors Colloquium section on Friday afternoon either 11:15pm-1:10 pm OR
1:25pm-3:20pm OR on Monday afternoon at 3:30pm-5:30pm. This course will
be offered to anyone wanting to learn how to live more lightly on the planet.
Global issues of sustainability will be discussed including; energy, food,
land, waste, housing, personal health, and community. Discussions will focus
on holistic personal decision-making. Includes a community service-learning
requirement. For more information, see… PLNTSOIL 285 NOTE: this
class is currently full. Contact me about a waiting list. Five
College Students are welcome.
PLSOILIN 298G – GardenShare Practicum – Both Fall and Spring Semesters –
This is a student taught practicum designed to introduce you to the science
and art of Permaculture Gardening. For more information, contact
me. One credit, Pass/Fail only. To register, go to SPIRE 37041. For
more information, click here.
HONORS 397 I – Leadership
for Social Change – JANUARY TERM - (more formerly known as “Participatory
Leadership: Consensus, Conflict and Community” – Taught in Mexico -
International Community Service Learning course through Commonwealth
College. Offered January, 3 – 23, 2005. This course will be
taught at an ecovillage south of Mexico City. The focus of the course will be
on participatory decision-making, conflict resolution, issues of power,
non-violent communication, understanding root causes of conflict, and more. A syllabus is here.
Please contact me or Living Routes
for more information.
PLSOILIN 397S – Dialogue on
Agricultural Issues – FALL – Wednesday afternoon; 2:30pm-4:25pm – 308
Agricultural Engineering Building (near the Parking Garage)
A classroom dialogue intended to introduce students to controversial
agricultural issues, explore diverse perspectives, and develop an individual
and community-based understanding of current issues affecting food and
agriculture today. Examples of issues that may be included are; sustainability,
alternative economies, environment, spirituality, industrialization of food,
genetic engineering, food safety, soil health, green revolution, organic
agriculture, urban/farm interface, and others suggested by students. This
course will include a weekly face-to-face dialogue, and reflective writings
on controversial issues. This class is open to any interested junior, senior
or graduate student. Some knowledge of agriculture is helpful but not
required. 2 credits. For more information, see… PLSOILIN 397S To register, go
to SPIRE 36981.
PLSOILIN 398P – Permaculture Practicum is offered in both Massachusetts
or in an ecovilage in Brazil –
SUMMER
Permaculture is a design system for ecological living, integrating plants,
animals, buildings, people, and communities. It offers a new paradigm for
creating sustainable, productive and beautiful human environments using
natural ecosystems as models. Through experiential, participatory and
classroom learning, participants will explore the relationships between
personal, social, and ecological sustainability in the rich context of life
in an ecovillage. Course graduates will receive 4 college credits through
UMass Amherst and a Permaculture Design Course certificate. While an
introductory course in biology, ecology, agriculture or environmental science
may be helpful, it is not required. This course is taught during the summer
term at Sirius Community in Shutesbury, Massachusetts and in Brazil. 4
credits. For more information on costs, dates, registration etc.
see Living Routes.
PLSOILIN 597S –
Agricultural Systems Thinking – SPRING –TuTh 1:00pm-2:15pm. To provide students
with an opportunity to learn and practice holistic systems thinking to deepen
their understanding of complex food and agricultural systems. Course Format:
The course will meet twice a week. The classroom environment will be designed
to encourage co-learning of all participants (that is we will learn from each
other). Systems tools will be taught and practiced. Students will
select one of the classic texts on systems thinking for investigation and
team teaching experience. Spring semester. 3 credits. Offered in odd numbered
years (Next - Spring 2005) For more information, see… PLSOILIN 597S
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Majoring In Sustinability
Studies
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I advise students in several
ways
Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences Students are invited to explore our new
major called Sustainable Agriculture - Food Systems Options.
See me if you are interested. Stop by 308 Bowditch Hall or contact me for
an appointment at jgerber@psis.umass.edu.
I advise many students in Sustainability Studies through BDIC.
For more information, see... Sustainability
Studies.
I advise students through the University Without Walls program.
For more information see, UWW.
I do not advise graduate students at this time.
For a list of upper division courses suggested by students as good
courses related to sustainability, see...Sustainability Course
If you want to study sustainability, I encourage you to think about a
sustainable living experience. Check out the Living Routes
courses that are accredited by the University of Massachusetts.
I'm also willing to sponsor an internship or Independent Study
experience, if I'm qualified in your area of interest. Some guidelines for
doing a Plant
& Soils Internship or Independent Study are here. I also advise
students who want to do a BDIC Independent Study.
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