2004-2006 ES Community
In fall 2004, the Earth Sustainability series debuted to 23 students who partnered with faculty to pilot this exciting new approach to general education. This first ES series was taught by five core faculty: Barbara Bekken (GEOS), Carola Haas (FiW), Joan Marie (STS), Margaret Merrill (LIBR), and Barbara Reeves (HIST/STS) while two English faculty, Lisa Norris and Tiffany Trent taught dedicated sections of English Composition entitled, "Writing on Sustainability." Nineteen students completed the program in spring, 2006 and earned Curriculum for Liberal Education credit for all areas except Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (area 5). These students also participated in a research study that is assessing the educational benefits of this holistic approach to core education. During the pilot offering, students worked together with faculty to create an effective learning community. See their photo albums and what they had to say about their ES experiences.
In such a few short weeks, I [have] become aware that sustaining our Earth is a very large complex issue that will involve many solutions, not just one…This class has had an immense impact on my academics, values, and personal beliefs. 12/3/04
I'm beginning to read one of my textbooks for a 3000 level environmental policy and planning course and I know I would never be attempting this course without my experience in Earth Sustainability. As a freshman, I have enough leeway to take other courses outside of the core curriculum. 1/19/05
The workshop helped me to listen to others views and maybe see where they are coming from. Some ideas mentioned I still believe are completely bogus, but I have learned to respect others views whether I agree with or believe them. There are extreme ideas from either side in our class, from the idea of no God and evolution did it all, to the fact that God created everything 6000 years ago. Some of the ideas presented on Friday were completely new to me, and gave me a good idea of how others can think the way they do, and also opened my eyes to new things I had never seen before or understood. 2/10/05
When I talk about the energy crisis we are experiencing, I have a different opinion about the situation. Before I would have spoken about the way I didn’t care. I would not care about the energy that is wasted in this country/world….I have truly enjoyed learning the alternative [choices] that we can make as individuals. I have tried to order some biodiesel from Suffolk, Virginia so I can start making a difference on my family farm. 5/9/05
I have built relationships with each of the faculty and consider them to be role models both academically and personally. This class has also exposed me to a large spectrum of knowledge, which I carry into my other classes. [Information that] I have learned in the Earth Sustainability constantly comes up in my other classes, but not as in-depth. This class makes me feel like I have learned so much and that if I had gone the traditional route, I would have missed out on tons of information and knowledge. I also would not have been given the opportunity to build such close relationships with my fellow students and faculty. 5/9/05
I will never be able to fully understand how much I have grown this year because of ES. I have no idea what my freshman year of college would have been without this experience, and I am forever grateful to the handful of professors who decided that this pilot program was worth the effort. I know that I would not be the person I am right now without ES. I would not be able to converse with the people that I do now without the “value-training” I’ve experienced this year. I hope that the positive feedback for this program will urge other universities to try it and that this kind of class will one day be available to everyone. 5/9/05
My experience at Polyface Farm was the most intellectually enriching experience I have had in ES thus far. The trip will undoubtedly be one of the many life-changing experiences ES has provided me. The day at Polyface Farm gave me an optimistic outlook on the potential our agricultural system has and the ways in which farmers can easily become more sustainable. Since nature is entirely interrelated, minimal and feasible changes in farming practices will eventually change the entire system of agriculture. Witnessing Joel Salatin’s farm helped me gain more understanding of sustainable farming from not only the environmental perspective but also from a sociological and cultural standpoint. 9/26/05
I entered this course without any knowledge of agriculture, but now find myself understanding the language of farming and it’s practices. Full credit of this newly gained knowledge goes to my participation in Earth Sustainability; without this course I would not have had the opportunity to delve so deeply into the knowledge about and examination of food production. As always, Earth Sustainability is allowing me to find the ability to change the world by opening my eyes to the effects of one’s lifestyle on the environment. 12/14/05
This semester has allowed me to begin to see the connections that this course is about. I can now see how what I eat and drink are completely connected to the water and energy topics we covered in the last two semesters. Aside from the fact that I am looking forward to next semester, I feel that I have acquired enough knowledge to live a changed life, where I see that everything is connected. The learning skills I am gaining and the variety of viewpoints I have encountered have connected me to the way I make decisions and the way I look at the decisions others make. 12/14/05
The Food and Agriculture semester proved to be the best yet. I made more connections from the reading with the local community and other classes at VT than any other ES semester. This semester, I felt like I could apply more of what I learned because of the topic. I have learned so many things that have shocked, disturbed, and pleasantly surprised me, as well. Although it may sound incredibly corny, I also believe that this semester has changed my life. 12/14/05
As I reflect on the semester, I am convinced that I have stretched myself toward taking greater responsibility and have become empowered to take action towards living sustainably as an individual and as a member of my community. I am undoubtedly making more informed decisions of where I obtain my food, what transportation I use, the amount of energy and water I use, and my consumerism in general. In addition to my more informed choices, I feel as though I am also personally seeking more opportunities to learn of issues of sustainability, since I can no longer rely on the learning community to keep me informed. Lastly, and overall, I am striving each day to progress towards [creating] a lifestyle that is directly centered on achieving sustainability. 5/9/06
In the past two years we have all learned so much that will change our decisions in life. For myself, I will be more conscious about the decisions I make at home and in my farming career to protect my little environment in Southside. Little things like protecting the groundwater, soil, trees, family, and me. Protecting [us all] against chemicals is a main concern of mine when returning to the farm. None of this would be important if Earth Sustainability had not influenced my life the way it has. 5/9/06
I understand the influence the [local] community has had on me through my involvement [in it]. It is not one-sided; it is a relationship. I have influence on it as well! …Knowing now my potential to invoke change, I made a decision with the information afforded me; this course has taught me that there is inherent power in that action. 5/9/06
Although my ability to effectively use language to express myself has greatly improved over the past two years, I harbor doubts that my words will do justice to the experiences I have had in ES2984. …I learned a lot about how to more effectively express myself this semester. I learned that I have the tools to research anything that interests me and that I can present my conclusions in an effective and persuasive way. I have learned that I can write a scientific review paper…and like it. I have the power to find inspiration in all different facets of my life. I have always known that I am a highly capable individual, but the work I did this semester has proven to me that I can use my talents in more ways, more effective and important ways, than I had once thought. I once assumed that my theatrical experience and my desire to perform were talents that I would not be able to use to make the world a better place. I thought that I would get a degree, become a lawyer, and change the System from the inside. I now see that I can do that, but I can do lots of other things too. My role in the community will be to inspire people by acting on my own inspiration. This semester has helped me find inspiration and create inspiring products. I know the things I have learned in ES4 will help me to sustain my personal life and my life as an interactive member of a community. 5/9/06
|
