Earth Ethics Institute

A Journey Toward Earth Literacy

A multipart virtual discussion series awarding 15 hours of professional development credit

Facilitated by EEI North Campus Program Professional Stephen Nesvacil  

Wednesdays, first session 12 - 1:00 PM, all other sessions 12 - 1:30 PM

Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15

To Register:  EEI1131-1

Note: the 1st session is open to guests as part of Changemaker Week! 

Collaboratively explore the book, Now That You Know: A Journey Toward Earth Literacy.  In this book, MDC Professor Emeritus and founder of Earth Ethics Institute, Dr. McGregor (Mac) Smith, Jr (1926 – 2018), offers a compelling tale of his personal journey in understanding the role of life and consciousness in an evolving universe. In so doing, he expounds on the critical importance of humanity re-learning how to live in harmony with Earth and the natural cycles on which our continued existence depends. 

Objectives: 

• Compare the current mechanistic, consumeristic paradigm to the new, holistic, systems-based ecological paradigm.
• Describe the cosmological evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the emergence of sentient life through the lens of Earth Literacy.
• Consider the ethical ramifications of humanity being an equal member of the Earth community, not in dominion over it.
• Evaluate the efficacy of Earth Literacy as a means for positive Changemaking, both in the classroom and beyond.
• Appraise the value of hands-on, experiential pedagogies in teaching Earth Literacy, Changemaking, and other disciplines taught at Miami Dade College.

Textbook: Now That You Know: A Journey Toward Earth Literacy by McGregor Smith, Jr. © 1997, Earth Knows Publications

Cultivating Change

A multipart virtual discussion series awarding 12 hours of professional development credit

Facilitated by Kendall Campus EEI Program Professional Netiva Kolitz

Wednesdays, first four sessions 12 - 1 PM, final session 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15

Note: the 1st session is open to guests as part of Changemaker Week! 

To Register: EEI1132-1

Cultivating Change invites participants to learn more about our current and potential future food systems. This five-part discussion series explores the impact of our food choices on our health and the health of our planet, food justice, and the growing movement to regain the pleasure of eating and reclaim control of the food supply. The readings consider how conflicting information and marketing have caused many to feel confused or anxious about what to eat; the ways in which more people might have access to nutritious food; and the power of individuals to make choices that promote a healthier food system for us and Earth.  

 After successful completion of this discussion series, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the impact of our food choices on our health and the health of our planet.
2. Explain what is meant by the term “food justice” and identify possible solutions to enable more people to have access to nutritious food.
3. Describe the growing movement to regain the pleasure of eating and reclaim control of the food supply.
4. Consider some examples of personal choices individuals can make to promote a food system that is healthier for both ourselves and for Earth.

Textbook: Menu for the Future, 2013, Northwest Earth Institute 

Global Sustainability and Earth Literacy Studies

(Previously offered as GSELS Learning Network: Transforming Paradigm)

A virtual workshop awarding 6 hours of professional development credit

Facilitated by EEI Collegwide Director Mike Matthews and EEI staff 

Monday, Sept. 18, 12 - 3:00 PM 

Note: a Changemaker Week professional development opportunity! 

To Register: EEI1010-7

Offering an overview of Earth Ethics Institute’s Global Sustainability and Earth Literacy Studies (GSELS) learning network.  MDC faculty learn how to broaden their GSELS-designated courses to include additional GSELS course criteria, as well as GSELS best practices. Mechanistic and ecological worldviews will be contrasted, and a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to education will be endorsed.   Resources and key GSELS content, including Earth Literacy, sustainable development, the Earth Charter, principles of ecology, the Eight Guiding Principles of Global Citizenship, and UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Lifelong Learning will be reviewed. 

Objectives: 

• Summarize the GSELS Learning Network history and participation processes
• Identify GSELS guiding philosophy and resources
• Define Sustainable Education
• Combine interdisciplinary content
• Describe GSELS course content
• Compare and contrast GSELS-related and GSELS-focused course curricula
• Give examples of how GSELS course criteria can be applied to a given course
• Broaden the scope of an existing GSELS-designated course by incorporating additional course criteria
• Describe how GSELS faculty have created Faculty Learning Communities that model best practices
• Develop a GSELS curriculum component

Health: Connecting People, Place, and Planet pt. II

A multipart virtual discussion series awarding 12 hours of professional development credit

Facilitated by Professor Ben Augustyn 

Mondays, first session 12 - 1:00 PM, all other sessions 12 - 1:30 PM

Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 6 

To Register: EEI1015-7 

Note: Health: Connecting People, Place, and Planet pt. I is a prerequisite

This is part two of a two-part workshop series, each offering four sessions focused on the interconnection of human health with environmental and community health. Health: Connecting People, Place, Planet – 1 is a prerequisite for this workshop. In this workshop, participants will become aware of the environmental health concerns that exist within our communities and how community planning and design affect human and ecological health. The link between industrial consumer culture and human and community health will be explored as well as the relationship between consumption levels and human well-being. Additionally, participants will explore the impact of consumption on planetary waste and those impacts on community health. Finally, participants will be asked to broaden their thinking about health to include the ecological realities in which we live exploring how our human health and well-being is ultimately dependent on the health of the planet. 

Textbook: A World of Health: Connecting People, Place and Planet, 2010, Northwest Earth Institute 

Nearshore Communities: A Day at the Beach

An EEI immersion (field trip) awarding 6 hours of professional development credit

Facilitated by iCED Wolfson Director Kiki Mutis and EEI Collegewide Director Mike Matthews 

Tentative date: Saturday, September 23rd at Crandon Park.  

8:30 AM - 1:00 PM 

To Register: EEI1133-1

Pre-workshop hours: 0

Workshop hours: 4

Post-workshop hours: 2

Total hours: 6

This onsite immersion for faculty and staff explores the nearshore habitats found in Southeast Florida. Participants will experience first-hand such habitats as the maritime hammock, beach sand dune, beach intertidal zone, and shallow water seagrass bed. Various species of plants and animals will be identified and discussed, as well as the ecology and conservation of fragile nearshore ecosystems. Sustainable development and Earth Literacy will provide a lens to focus our exploration, and changemaking education will provide a call to action to help preserve the biodiversity to be found in our own backyard. Please note that participation in this immersion requires physical activity such as walking long distances and wading in shallow water as well as accepting the risks inherent in outdoor activities and interaction with wildlife.

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify species of plants and animals found in Southeast Florida nearshore habitats.
• Describe Southeast Florida nearshore ecosystems.
• Critique local coastal conservation efforts.
• Summarize the interconnection of social and environmental issues as they apply to sustainable development.

Reconnecting with Earth

A multipart virtual discussion series awarding 12 hours of professional development credit

Facilitated by Professor Sarah Jacob

Wednesdays, first session 12 - 1:00 PM, all other sessions 12 - 1:30 PM

Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15

To Register: EEI1005-5 

This workshop is one of a two-part series, each offering four sessions that address a central issue of our time: What is the appropriate relationship of human beings to Earth? As participants engage in readings and discussion questions, they will share observations and reflections on our relationship to Earth, the threats of ecological imbalance, what we can do to create a paradigm shift and make lasting, impactful change, and what the role of higher education is in creating a future generation of Earth literate citizens. 

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:  

• Examine personal experiences, memories, and reflections on the natural world, as well as one’s connection to place
• Recognize existing paradigms and identify how they influence systems including education, and shape our relationship with Earth
• Describe the concepts of systems thinking, deep ecology and the Gaia hypothesis
• Compare the approaches of indigenous, religious, and spiritual traditions in responding to ecological degradation
• Describe ways to effectively incorporate right relationship with Earth into curriculum 

Textbook: Reconnecting with Earth, 2009, Northwest Earth Institute  

Visions of Sustainability

A multipart virtual discussion series awarding 15 hours of professional development credit

Facilitated by Professor Karen Alvarez Delfin 

Wednesdays, first session 12 - 1:00 PM, all other sessions 12 - 1:30 PM

Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15

Note: the 1st session is open to guests as part of Changemaker Week! 

To Register: EEI1028-8

Explore the importance of diversity and equity in building resilient communities, the impacts of the evolving American transportation system, the ties between consumption and the economy, and finally we will envision what a sustainable world would really look like. Participants will read selected essays followed by guided discussions.  Additional materials, such as videos and shared reflections, will be included. 

After successful completion of this discusion series participants will be able to:

• Consider how diversity and equity define a community’s general level of resilience.
• Hypothesize on how the American transportation system will evolve in the near future, taking into account such issues as climate change and livable cities.
• Critique modern consumerism, factoring in such externalities as pollution, ecosystem degradation, and environmental justice.
• Evaluate current trends in sustainability in order to speculate on where these trends may lead.

Textbook: Choices for Sustainable Living, ecochallenge.org