A Sense of Wonder

REVISED

Fall 2013 and Winter 2014 quarters

Faculty

Nancy Parkes creative writing, sustainability, public policy , Hirsh Diamant art, education, human development, Asian studies

Fields of Study

communications, cultural studies, education, environmental studies, literature, natural history, sustainability studies and writing

Description

In this two-quarter, interdisciplinary program, we will cultivate a "Sense of Wonder" as we build skills as writers, educators, activists, artists, and interdisciplinary scholars. Our work will combine theory and practice as we delve into the rich areas of literature, cultural studies, writing, creative arts, education, contemplative practice, natural history, and environmental/outdoor education. We will explore how we develop roots to the natural world and explore themes related to natural history literature, the Pacific Northwest, and global multicultural traditions that have an intimate connection to place. At the core of our inquiry will be the questions "What enlivens culture?" "What motivates change?" Working from a rich, interdisciplinary perspective, we will study what it means to be rooted to place and how place connects us to a deep sense of purpose and meaning through word and image, language and tradition, stories and activism, education and scholarship.

Program Expectations: By the end of study, students will

• Develop skills as natural history writers, journalists, essayists, and in other genres
• Become acquainted with ways in which children and adults form environmental values
• Become aware of parallels and connections between cultural and ecological diversity
• Gain an introduction to effective, inspirational, and interdisciplinary ways of teaching about environment and art in a variety of educational settings
• Gain skills in collaborative planning, learning, and teaching
• Gain a personal understanding and appreciation for environmental studies
• Examine cultural assumptions about relationships between human beings, nature, and a sense of place (We will focus on Chinese and Native American Cultures; students will be also asked to examine their own cultures of origin.)
• Support the in-program study by keeping an art/nature journal
• Discover importance of contemplative practice
• Demonstrate ability to create and carry out a two-credit, in-program, independent study project in winter quarter

Advertised Schedule

6-8p Mon, 6-10p Wed, 10a-5p Sat (five Saturdays per quarter: dates TBA); overnight field trip to LaPush Wed-Thu Nov 20-21

Campus Location

Olympia

Online Learning

Hybrid Online Learning 25 - 49% Delivered Online

Books

Greener Store

Required Fees

$50 fall quarter for overnight field trip to LaPush.

Offered During

Evening and Weekend

Program Revisions