Faculty Development Workshop Integrating Ethics Into Environmental Studies: Ethics, Science, and Civic Responsibility May 24-27, 2004 New York University Cosponsored by: Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs Center for Humans and Nature Environmental Conservation Education Program, New York University WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION There is a general consensus among scholars and scientists that the world is experiencing a global environmental crisis. However, there is no consensus as to the extent of the crisis, the appropriate responses to it, and--most importantly--the moral principles that should guide efforts to address global environmental problems. Starting in the mid-1980s, academic institutions responded to this new challenge by developing interdisciplinary environmental studies programs. Over the last two decades educators have struggled to address the crisis by combining scientific knowledge with an awareness of the diverse geographic, cultural, political, and economic realities that affect the environment. Yet in this process the ethical dimensions of environmental issues have been poorly attended to. While many college-level environmental programs in the United States offer courses on environmental ethics, the overarching goal of devising tools for systematically examining environmental ethics and values in social science and natural science curricula is under-achieved. The primary goal of this three and a half day workshop which builds upon a Carnegie Council faculty development workshop hosted by Holy Cross College (Worcester, MA) in May 2003--is to devise intellectual and pedagogical tools that will enable faculty to incorporate an understanding of environmental ethics and values into their research and teaching. In addition to the themes described above, this workshop will focus on two subjects related to these objectives: first, the development of the concept of "ecological citizenship" as a component of environmental ethics and environmental education; and second, overcoming the gap between the academy and those public and private organizations involved in environmental advocacy and protection. "Ecological citizenship" refers to a set of normative goals in environmental education that extend from the substantive civic obligations necessary for the creation of what Harvard government professor Robert Putnam termed "social capital." According to this concept, the healthiest public sphere is one in which citizens see their moral obligations to each other to be fulfilled not simply through minimal acts of citizenship, such as voting, but through more active involvement in public affairs. Ecological citizenship extends these ideas from the social realm, involving only humans, to the natural world as well. The question is whether and how integrating ethics into environmental education can enable students to see themselves as members of a community that encompasses both humans and nature and hence to see that their civic obligations to their communities are not limited to obligations to each other but to taking an active interest in critical environmental issues. If the creation of better ecological citizens is seen as a worthy goal of environmental education, then it is necessary to first overcome the tendency for insularity in academic discourse on topics such as this one. Too often those in the academy working on environmental problems seek only to communicate with each other. Accordingly, this faculty development workshop will also focus on the question of how to create opportunities for those in the academy working on these issues to better serve those in public agencies and NGO's who grapple with these problems on the ground. WHO SHOULD APPLY? The workshop is open to faculty involved in environmental studies at the undergraduate level and within professional schools. We especially welcome applications from faculty interested in developing environmental studies programs within their home institution. Participants are selected on a competitive basis through the application process described below. We strive to reach a balance between the number of faculty in the social and physical sciences to help to ensure that the full range of ethical issues that affect the study of environmental problems are considered. WHAT IS PROVIDED? The workshop will feature talks and discussion sessions led by guest scholars and practitioners. Topics will include approaches to ethics, environmental ethics, the international dimensions of environmental ethics, the concept of ecological citizenship, politically engaged environmental studies, pedagogies, and organizational aspects of environmental studies programs. In addition, two or more sessions will be devoted to topics of specific interest to the selected participants, who will be invited to lead those sessions. Local accommodations and meals will be provided to all participants for the duration of the workshop on the Washington Square campus of New York University, in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village. In addition, participants will receive in advance of the workshop a CD-Rom containing relevant readings and sample syllabi. Participants must arrange their own travel to and from New York. HOW TO APPLY Applications must include: *A completed cover page, available in PDF form at http://www.cceia.org/page.php/prmID/50?PHPSESSID=56ed92fbc2672485861389439ba 187ad *Resume or Curriculum Vitae *A 2-3-page statement of interest, including how the workshop would benefit your future research and teaching *List of three references *Letter of support from your university or college Completed applications must be received by January 15, 2004; selected participants will be notified by February 15, 2004. Applications may be sent by email or post to: Yesim Yemni Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs 170 East 64th Street New York, NY 10021 (212) 838-4120 yyemni@cceia.org ======== North American Human Rights Education listserv ======== Send mail intended for the list to <hr-education-na@hrea.org>. 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