John's Classes

Sustainability Dialogue is an opportunity to explore your understanding of issues related to personal and societal sustainability while learning the practice of Insight Dialogue (a practice of mindful listening and speaking).

Join us in the circle, to breathe, and to learn to listen and speak mindfully about issues that concern us. And for some resources to help you get started see… “getting started”.

Sustainability Dialogue

PLSOILIN 391A; 1 Credit Pass/Fail (you can take this class twice for credit)

Brief Description: Sitting in a circle, students will practice the technique of insight dialogue while developing an individual and community understanding of current issues affecting personal and societal sustainability. Issues that may be included are; personal sustainability, organic agriculture, peak oil, alternative economies, spirituality and transformation, industrialization of life, the purpose of higher education, social change, and others suggested by students. The technique of Insight Dialogue will be taught. Students will take responsibility for leadership and selection of readings as the semester proceeds. This course is open to any interested student. No prerequisites. 1 credit pass/fail (and you can take this seminar class more than once for credit).

Purpose: To provide students with an opportunity to explore their understanding of sustainability issues in an environment where they are encouraged to explore facts and values and practice mindful communication.

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will become aware of issues related to sustainability that are currently of concern to citizens, businesses and scientists, and express their own opinions and ideas relating to these ideas.

2. Students will learn communications tools such as 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 a video) will be offered to students each week on a specific 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 an opportunity to practice the insight dialogue technique.

Readings: Readings will be made available either on line or with hard copy. There is no textbook.

Grades: Grading is pass/fail only and is based on attendance and class participation.

Instructor: John M. Gerber, Professor of Plant Sciences and Sustainability Studies; 308 Bowditch Hall.

For more information contact John M. Gerber at jgerber@psis.umass.edu.