Examples of Our Work with Higher Education
For-Credit Courses on Sustainability and Ecological Economics
Creative Change is collaborating with Eastern Michigan University's Social Foundations of Education Program to offer graduate courses for practicing teachers. Courses are offered as part of the Social Foundations EcoJustice Education Concentration in the Department of Teacher Education. Registration for the courses is through Continuing Education.
Past Course Descriptions
Ecological Economics, Citizenship, and Education (SOFD 592)
The emerging field of ecological economics is grounded in a basic fact: Human systems--including the economy--are embedded within ecological systems. Understanding the limits and laws of natural systems changes the very foundations of conventional economic thought and with it, approaches to production, policies, and the role of consumers.
This course introduces the field of ecological economics and presents strategies for teaching it with the goal of fostering an integrated ecological, economic, and civic literacy.
Objectives: As a result of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the field of ecological economics and how it differs from conventional economics
- Identify and compare major assumptions and theories of ecological and conventional economics with an emphasis on the roles of the ecosystem, the individual, and social institutions.
- Evaluate and compare the potential of ecological and conventional economic approaches in meeting state standards and citizenship goals.
- Compare and critique curricula and teaching approaches of conventional and ecological economics.
- Utilize model lessons to teach ecological economics and citizenship.
- Evaluate economics curricula to determine assumptions, biases, and pedagogical focus.
- Develop units on ecological economics that are interdisciplinary, inquiry-based, and utilize authentic assessment.
- Engage in research, writing, peer evaluation, self-reflection, and other learning strategies.
Developing Curriculum for Teaching Sustainability (SOFD 592)
Sustainability education is an approach to learning that builds the knowledge, skills, and values needed to create lasting economic prosperity, environmental health, and social justice. In this course, teachers will develop strategies and materials to engage students as scholars and citizens in vital economic, social, and ecological issues. Participants will walk away with interdisciplinary units and lessons that meet standards, promote critical thinking, and connect students to the community.
Objectives: As a result of this course, participants will be able to…
- Define sustainability and relate it to community and global events.
- Define sustainability education and identify its key goals.
- Compare sustainability education to related fields, such as environmental education, global education, and development education.
- Describe sustainability pedagogy in terms of content, instructional approach, and assessment.
- Explain how sustainability education can meet state standards and citizenship goals.
- Identify opportunities to make social, ecological, and economics connections within the standards.
- Evaluate lessons and curricula against sustainability education criteria.
- Develop units and lessons that are interdisciplinary, inquiry-based, and utilize authentic assessment.
- Engage in research, writing, peer evaluation, self-reflection, and other learning strategies.
Registration and Price Information
|
