Courses
October - December 2004

FOOD CULTURE AND HEALTH
Carlo Petrini, Dr. Satvinder Bajaj, Dr. Surinder Kathoj, Vandana Shiva
October 1-14

Bija Vidyapeeth
India

 Nutrition science is now discovering the reasons why traditional food culture is healthier than "modern" food culture. This course looks at how diversity in our farms and kitchens is an ecological and health imperative. It will also explore the various Indian food cultures in relation to the customs, traditions and beliefs.

FUTURE SENSE
Mary Midgley, Anne Baring, Jules Cashford, John Lash
November 7-26

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 

 What guides us? Our beliefs shape how we act, and if we are to create a better, sustainable world we need to understand them. This course looks at what beliefs have led us to create a society in which the very survival of humanity, and many other species, is threatened; and takes you on a journey to future sense, integrating ecology, psychology and mythology.

GANDHI AND NON-VIOLENCE
Satish Kumar, Vandana Shiva
December 1-14

Bija Vidyapeeth
India

 At a time when a small minority committed to violence, terrorism and war is imposing its will on the rest, the human need for non-violence and peace has also taken higher urgency and significance. This course will explore how Gandhi's philosophy of Ahimsa can help provide alternatives to a violent world order, and create peace and hope in a period of hopelessness.

January - March 2005
CULTURE & EMPOWERMENT IN A GLOBALISED AGE
Winona LaDuke, Jerry Mander, Vandana Shiva

January 9-28

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 This course will look at the impacts of globalisation on the environment and societies worldwide, and the many ways that indigenous people, farmers and activists are working to preserve their ways of life. It will explore inspiring alternatives to globalisation which empower people to protect local economies and ecosystems.

HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY PLANET
Patch Adams, Deepak Chopra, Simon Mills, Mira Shiva
January 30 – February 18

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 What makes and keeps us healthy? As we come to understand the inseparability of mind and body, and of a body and its environment, the answers to this challenging question will encompass much more than drugs and hospitals. This course presents some of the radical new approaches that are changing the way we understand health and healing.

IN SEARCH OF EARTH ETHICS
David Selby
March 6-18

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 What would be the implications for the way we live our lives if we really had a different ethical relationship to other living beings? Through discussion, outdoor experience and writing, participants will explore these challenging issues with leading thinkers and activists in the fields of animal welfare, environmental philosophy and sustainability.

April – June 2005
ROOTS OF LEARNING: GLOBAL EDUCATION
David Selby
April 3-8

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 Global Education is a holistic system of learning, which is informed by ecological principles. This course will employ a diversity of interactive, experiential and convivial learning approaches, with practical guidance on how these can be translated to the school classroom to transform our education paradigm.

NEW WAYS OF LEARNING FROM NATURE
Janine Benyus, Rupert Sheldrake

April 17-22

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 New methods of scientific inquiry, new ways of watching and learning, can transform the way we view nature. The scientists teaching this course will help participants experience this for themselves.

BIOMIMICRY & SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
Janine Benyus, John Elkington

April 24-28

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 Once businesses decide to become a restorative part of this living planet how do they go about redesigning their products, process, and policies? Where do they turn for ideas that make sense? The course will look at how some companies are learning from nature, and how others are integrating economic, social and environmental priorities.

SOUL IN NATURE
Jonathan Horwitz, Christian de Quincey, Stephan Harding

May 1-20

Schumacher College
Devon, UK

 The belief that matter and nature are dead, mindless, and unfeeling is pervasive in the modern world - with disastrous consequence we are all familiar with. In this course a philosopher, a shamanic teacher and a scientist explore what it means to bring together the physical and spiritual world.