Summer 2007: Being About Action: Exploring Food, Community, and Urban Sustainability

A Summer Institute in Dialogue

May 7 – June 15. 10 credits (DIAL 390W, 391W).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This Summer Institute in Dialogue will explore the concepts of leadership, action and sustainable development within an urban context. Students will engage in a collaborative project with a local partner organization to create a more sustainable region, with the theme of “food” as a starting point. What is food? What is hunger? What is nourishment? How do we create more sustainable food systems? What is the role of urban agriculture? How is food connected to unsustainable consumption patterns?

The class will survey a range of local projects, working towards creating sustainable food systems as well as attending local events connected to sustainability and food. Projects will focus on crafting proposals for action with community groups, reflective writing, and collaborative group work. This is an intensive and experiential course running five days per week, 9:30-3:30.

Proposed Community Partners: Campus Food Miles Reduction Action Project by Local Solutions, in partnership with the Sustainable Campus Coalition, the Centre for Sustainable Community Development and Environmental Youth Alliance

FACULTY

Janet Moore is an Assistant Professor in the Undergraduate Semester in Dialogue at Simon Fraser University.

Rob Van Wynsberghe is a Professor at Royal Roads University in the School of Environment and Sustainability.