This seminar will survey basic principles of ecological design and existing ecovillage designs worldwide. It will use this knowledge to design an ecovillage for UVM. The design project will take into account sustainable agriculture, urban/rural integration, renewable energy, ecological economics, planning and zoning issues, and community governance issues. The course will include a range of faculty participants from SNR, CDAE, ASCI, and PSS, community stakeholders, and several invited guest speakers. There will be field trips to visit existing ecovillages at Ten Stones in Charlotte, VT, Cobb Hill in Hartland, VT, and Sirius - Living Routes in Shutesbury, MA. Grading will be based on class participation and contribution to the ecovillage design project.
This is an applied, problem-solving course integrating teaching, learning, research and service. As real problems do not always unfold as neatly as the chapters in a text book, the bulk of the course will be self-designing. The traditional distinction between professor and student will be blurred, as both will be partners in the research and design process. Students will share in choosing class readings and deciding on course content. Rather than simply regurgitating what they already know, faculty members will be active participants in the learning and design process. The role of faculty is “guide at your side” rather than “sage on the stage”.
General Course Objectives: