We live in a world in which humans are inextricably connected to nature, humanity's life support system. Yet at the same time we live on a planet in peril, in which environmentalists across the globe are working to catalyze societal transformation for sustainable living on Earth. This course explores these themes by 1) analyzing how social and ecological systems are intertwined, 2) exploring diverse ways of knowing nature through movement and mindfulness exercises, and 3) investigating and communicating mechanisms of sustainable environmental practice. The course will introduce conceptual frameworks and methodologies to explore the embeddedness of humans in nature--a task that remains critical for addressing today's environmental challenges. Students will engage with interdisciplinary frameworks engaging in environmental problem solving, as well as movement and place-based approaches for experiential learning. Through case studies and individual storytelling projects, we will examine how embeddedness in nature, interdisciplinary perspectives, and human agency provide sustainable pathways for both people and planet. |