|
Join us in the circle, to breathe, and to
learn to listen and speak mindfully about issues that concern us. Grading is based on attendance. Show up and earn 2 credits.
Dialogue on Agricultural Issues
PLNTSOIL
397S; 2 credits
SPIRE
# 76445
Brief
Description: Sitting in a circle,
students will practice the technique of insight dialogue while developing an
individual and community-based ethical understanding of current issues
affecting American agriculture today. Issues that may be included are;
Green Revolution, U.S. farm crisis, globalization, agricultural spirituality,
the politics of food, animal agriculture, the Natural Step and other
solutions. This course will include a weekly face-to-face dialogue and
reflective writings on the issues. This course is open to any
interested undergraduate or graduate student (grad credit can be
arranged). 2 credits.
Purpose: To provide students with an introduction to the
many controversial issues affecting agriculture today in an environment where
they are encouraged to explore facts and values related to these
issues.
Learning
Objectives:
1. Students will become aware of controversial issues related to American
agriculture that are currently of concern to citizens, businesses and
scientists.
2. Students will learn communications tools such reflective writing,
suspended judgment, identification of assumptions, whole-body listening, and
parallel thinking while exploring the relationship between perception and
thought.
3. Students will increase their knowledge of diverse perspectives, develop
their own understanding, clarify their personal values, and explore a
community-based ethical framework which affects how they think and act
related to these issues.
Class Format: One or more readings (or perhaps a video) will be
offered to students each week on a specific food, land or agricultural
topic. The technique of insight dialogue will be taught and practiced
during a once-a-week (2-hour) meeting of students and instructors. The
dialogue will focus on the content of the reading while allowing students and
instructors an opportunity to practice the dialogue process and
technique. Following each dialogue, students will practice reflective
writing to help clarify their own learning for the week.
Grades: Grade will be based on attendance, participation
and reflective writings.
Time: Wednesday from 2:30pm to 4:25pm. Fall Semester.
Place: French 209
Instructors: John M. Gerber and Anne K. Carter, Department of
Plant and Soil Sciences.
For
more information contact John M. Gerber
at jgerber@pssci.umass.edu.
|
