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Session Thirteen

Ecological Literacy II:

Problems and Promise for Sustainability

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Class Discussion

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 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)

Tools for Critical Thought  At this site read Defining Sustainable Growth, What is Real Progress?  and Responses to the Response. Be prepared to compare the visions of the future expressed by these writers with those presented by David Orr.

Writing
Assignment		 Writing assignment # 5 due today.

Web Board:

 Discussion Questions:

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

2. What did you think of Thomas West'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. Compare the thoughts of the assigned web reading site Tools for Critical Thought with those of Orr regarding what needs to happen in the future to save the environment.

Journal Writing		 Journals due next week.

Final Project		  Final project must be posted to the web board for Dr. Wimberley by next week, Session 14.

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This page last updated 10/29/02