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Session Nine

Ecological Literacy II:

Problems and Promise for Sustainability

 

Class Discussion

 This class will focus upon the concept of "ecological literacy" as espoused by David Orr.  It will also critique the though of one of Orr's greatest protagonists in the debate over environmental/ecological education:  Allan Bloom.  Students will be asked to consider Orr's arguments and decide on their own whether or not Bloom's thoughts (as expressed in his book, The Closing of the American Mind) are also applicable to developing a sense of ecological literacy.

Readings		 Text:

David Orr, Ecological Literacy, Ch. VI pp. 97-108; pp. 133-140 and Ch. X pp. 141-148.

Since David Orr assumes a pretty biased view of the work of Allan Bloom (The Closing of the American Mind), I thought I would provide you with at least one other opinion of Bloom's work, (A Review of The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom)

State of the World, 2006, "Aaron Crosby's Reconciling Trade and Sustainable Development,"

 

Writing
Assignment		 All Writing Assignments should have been turned in by this date.

Field Trip 4

Field trip # 4 on Sustainable Development is due to be reported this week.  You will be posting your field trip report on the Lesson Board when you complete your trip. Your narrative for this trip must be posted to the Lesson board by the end of this session.

Lesson Board:

 Discussion Questions:  Discussion questions due at end of this class session (Saturday at 5 pm.)

1. What is your reaction to David Orr's criticism of the political philosopher Allan Bloom.

2. What did you think of Bobby Matherne's review of Bloom's book The Closing of the American Mind.

3. What do you find in Bloom's philosophical perspective that you think might lend itself to the project of educating Americans to become more "ecologically literate."

4. When it comes to reconciling trade and sustainability, what are the basic concerns and conflicts that are involved?

5. Please describe the WTO Doha negotiations.

 

Journal Writing		 Journals are due this session. Remember that the journal must be in Word Format, must be attached to the Lesson board and in the interest of being opened and read, must not include pictures.

Final Project		 Final projects and all homework for this session are due at the end of Session 9.

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This page last updated 07/12/09