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Course
Content
“The Human
Challenge of Sustainability: Findhorn Community
Semester” is comprised of four
academically-accredited courses, set within
the context of a supportive and exploratory learning
community created within the student group.
Applied Sustainable Ecovillage Living
Course Description
In this course students examine core theoretical
and practical aspects of sustainable community living,
observing and participating in the interplay of
ecological, economic, social and cultural/spiritual
dimensions of sustainability. Framed within an initial
examination of the systemic nature of threats to
the global ecological and social system, students’
participation in the life of the Findhorn Community
provides a tangible context for a holistic evaluation
of the requirements for sustainability and the successes
and failures of the specific approaches and sustainable
practices Findhorn applies in its unique and fragile
coastal ecosystem.
As we learn about the environmental, social, and
economic issues regarding sustainability at Findhorn
and in specific selected environs elsewhere in Scotland,
we address how these relate to and translate to
other places in the world, including our own homes.
Can what is applied on a local level here be expanded
outward to the global? What new perspectives are
we gaining from being immersed in this particular
international ecovillage community? What do we,
in turn, have to offer here? Looking at past and
current patterns of relationship between culture
and nature, how can we move towards a new eco-social
paradigm for the future?
Course Aims
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To
gain a greater understanding of the systemic nature
of the threats to the planet’s well-being
and the social, ecological, economic, and cultural
consequences of current lifestyle and community
development practices
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To
explore the core nature of our species as one
strand in the web of life, examining the relationship
of humans with the natural world and with the
other species that inhabit it, as well as with
other generations
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To
explore humanity’s relationship with nature
through systems of community-building, land, farming,
shelter, energy, clothing, transport, waste management
and so on
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To
gain exposure to a range of the alternative socio-cultural
and economic approaches developed inside and outside
eco-villages to enable humans to live in more
sustainable and meaningful ways, drawing particularly
on the experience of the individuals and institutions
of the Findhorn Community and the Isle of Erraid
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To
develop both a theoretical and practical understanding
of ecological indicators, and more specifically
‘ecological footprint analysis’ –
a metric helping individuals and organizations
gauge the ecological impact of activities and
identify ways to reduce this impact
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To
be empowered to return home to translate the knowledge
acquired into practical and achievable plans of
action
Exploring Self and Community through the Arts
Course Description
Creative Expression through the arts is one of the
most profound ways of understanding and expressing
the human condition, while exploring the arena of
sustainable living. Using Creative Expression as
a vehicle enables a unique opportunity to learn
about the environment and ourselves in a non verbal,
non linear way. In addition, ‘art’ (expressing
oneself creatively) as a medium offers an oblique
way to engage with, process and integrate the intense
experience learning in community offers, along with
the formal material presented.
This course explores artistic
creativity as a means of self-awareness and self-expression,
particularly in relation to the individual and interactions
within the community and the local and larger cultures.
When art is appreciated and furthered in our personal
and community lives, we all gain from it. We will
consider art’s role as an integral part of
a healthy culture. Community life itself can be
seen as a multifaceted work of art: creative in
the moment, beautiful, precious, nourishing, and
challenging.
Art brings attitudes and values into the light and
opens new vistas. We have often come to believe
that we are either born to be artists or should
leave it alone. But creative artistic expression
has a vital function for the individual, as well
as for the world. As adults, we can give ourselves
permission to appreciate our unique ability to be
playful through art, and to feel life in its myriad
forms and ever-changing interactions. We see art
(creative expression) as an interdisciplinary practice
that can be healing and also foster social engagement.
Employing a variety of media – including creative
writing, music, drawing and painting, sculpture,
storytelling, drama, and dance – students
learn ways to transcend blocks to creative expression
and performance, and explore their own individual
voice and style. In addition, immersion and participation
in the lively performing arts events and celebrations
of the Findhorn Community provides a rich setting
for delving into the pivotal role of the arts in
community, as well as ample formal and informal
opportunities to explore public performance and
presentation of creative work.
Course Aims
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Integrating
individual visions into a collective whole through
a service project
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To experience
and reflect critically about real world challenges
in implementing a service project
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To
explore the role and meaning of creativity and
artistic expression in our lives through a range
of artistic media
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To develop
trust in and openness to individual voice and
styles of expression, respecting the varied forms
of creative processes, and working through inhibiting
blocks
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To develop
the capacity to articulate constructive and critical
reflection on one’s own work and on the
work of peers in a learning community
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To
develop the capacity to collaborate on group projects,
integrating individuals’ visions into a
mutually-agreed collective whole
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To
see art in an historical and cultural context,
as a window into individual and community identity
within a particular place and across time
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To
investigate the power of the arts to address social
and environmental issues
Group
Dynamics
Course Description
The theory of transpersonal psychology and sociology
is used to inform the practice of social relationships
at all levels of interaction – interpersonal,
intrapersonal, inter-group and international.
Theoretical lectures and papers form the basis for
students to examine the psychology of groups through
first hand engagement in their learning community
and the Findhorn Community and the smaller scale
community on the Isle of Erraid. Working well within
diverse group settings and dealing with conflict
are critical competencies for effective leadership
and transformative action in this age of organizational
complexity and global society. Students learn the
theory and practice of facilitating small groups
and meetings in ways that lead to collaborative
problem solving, sound decision making, and healthy
group functioning.
Knowledge acquired includes consensus decision making,
basic facilitation skills effective group participation
and leadership, (generating ideas, presenting proposals,
facilitating agreement and implementing decisions)
effective listening, feedback skills, meta-skills,
the roots of conflict and practical conflict facilitation,
working with diversity in groups and addressing
rank and power dynamics, leadership story and counterstory,
emotional and spiritual intelligences and their
place in group life, how and when to negotiate and
participatory democracy.
Course Aims
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To explore the dynamics of
groups through theoretical & experiential
learning
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To understand and experience
the concept of deep democracy
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To explore the relationship
between personal psychology and group dynamics
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To work with non verbal communication
signals and atmosphere in groups
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To identify and gain experience
with roles commonly held in groups
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To identify and understand
common issues in-group dynamics, including safety,
leadership, power, projection, marginalization,
sub-groups, scapegoat, etc.
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To demonstrate an understanding
and application of basic conflict facilitation
skills
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To develop skills in observation,
communication, and facilitation as practical tools
to be more effective in groups and to reinforce
theoretical learning
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To learn to give and receive
interpersonal feedback in effective ways
Worldviews and Consciousness
Course Description
In seeking to build a sustainable and ecologically
viable world, and not repeat the mistakes of the
past, it is imperative to examine and understand
the foundations of our experience of the world:
Toward this end this course asks two fundamental
questions: (1) What are the beliefs and assumptions
that underlie our view of ourselves in the world,
and how can we shift and expand those beliefs? (2)
How can we become more fully conscious of our own
possibilities as humans as well as of the multi-faceted
nature of the world we inhabit?
The aim of the course is to empower students by
exploring alternative ways of perceiving and thinking
about their lives and the world, challenging their
assumptions about who they are and how the world
is. A methodology of self-awareness lies at the
core of the course, which combines theoretical exploration,
cross-cultural comparison and experiential activities.
This course aims to both examine and synthesize
theoretical and experiential understandings of worldviews
and consciousness. Students address the creation
of worldviews and the processes that facilitate
paradigm changes. They also examine their personal
and cultural backgrounds vis-à-vis their
worldviews, investigating how various beliefs and
practices shape and are reflected in their paradigms,
as well as exploring these phenomena for other individuals
and in other cultures.
In addition to academic seminars, readings, a series
of reflective essays, and philosophical discussion,
students experience and critically reflect upon
personal daily practices. Students examine how such
practices are derived from, and support, various
worldviews, as well as explore the reciprocal relationship
between practices and the maintenance or altering
of a worldview.
Course Aims
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To develop an understanding
of worldviews and consciousness, how they affect
human behavior, and their relationship to social
and personal development
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To reflect critically on our
own and others’ worldviews and socio-cultural
conditioning
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To examine how differences
in worldview may affect global issues
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To introduce theories of a
range of consciousness, to experience specific
methods for their experience that are personally
appropriate, and learn ways to integrate them
into daily life
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To explore and develop daily
practices that foster consciousness at the individual
and community level
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To observe how spiritual practices
manifest themselves in daily life, and how they
create community consciousness and reinforce or
challenge our worldviews
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Findhorn
Foundation College, St Leonard's Rd, Forres, Morayshire,
Scotland, IV36 2RD, Scotland |
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