What can we learn from past and current cultures about how to best live on this planet?  How have people throughout time met their basic needs, and what systems appear to be more sustainable?  What are your own goals for sustainable living today? 

From foraging cultures of the past, to off-the-grid communities or urban neighborhoods of today, we will explore cultural approaches to life that demonstrate prudent use resources while maintaining thriving, healthy communities.  Readings will include ethnographic studies of various cultural groups, as well as how-to guides for contemporary sustainable living. 

The program will include field trips to local communities where students can interact with people building intentional sustainable communities.  Student work will include careful reading, reflection and critical analysis based on program materials.  Students will design and craft their own ethnographic studies focusing on topics of their choice. 

Additionally, a service component will enable us to connect to local initiatives, and help build community partnerships.  We will spend some portion of each week in a community partnership setting.

Students will build vocabularies, analyses, and hands-on skills in the fields of both anthropology and sustainability.