"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead
Course Description:
How are our lives shaped by the societies that we live in? Can we become
active participants in and creators of those societies? The first part
of the course will explore the connections between human well-being and
healthy societies and communities, and will provide conceptual frameworks,
such as that of the commons, for understanding our lives in a broader social
context. The second part of the course will look at ways that various economic
and social systems influence human well-being, community vitality, and
ecological sustainability. We will focus on a body of alternative
economic theory that treats the economics of the commons as different from
and complementary to the economics of the market. The third part of the
course will examine applications to current issues in Sonoma County in
light of the California economic crisis. We will look at the blueprints
for California 2020 developed by John Vasconcellos’ “Politics of Trust”
network as a holistic model of a healthy commons in a healthy society.
Finally, we will turn to an aspect of society very close at hand ? the
Sonoma State campus, to identify and implement ways to support and create
thriving commons.
The course will be both theoretical and personal in its orientation. Through readings, lectures, and films, you will be introduced to relevant concepts and theories such as the commons and ecological sustainability. Through exercises, small group work, and writing, you will be encouraged to apply these concepts to your own life, to reflect on your hopes and visions for the future, and to identify ways that you can make creative contributions to a healthy society.
Goals and objectives of course:
In this course, you will:
*Gain an understanding of how individuals and social systems interact
*Employ the concept of “the commons” to better understand several current
social dilemmas
*Develop the ability to step back from immersion in the urban-industrial
social system in order to identify its central qualities
*Reflect on the role of media in shaping your views of society
*Explore several complementary economic theories and apply them to
contemporary social issues
GE credit:
This course meets GE Area D1, Individual and Society. If you have upper
division standing, it also serves to meet the upper division GE requirement.
If you are a psychology major, you can count this as a GE course or
as a course for the major, but not both. You can count it as both GE and
supporting units.
Important note:
If you using this course for the Psychology major, it must be taken
for a grade. If you are using it for GE credit, you may take it credit/no
credit. The requirements for a grade are significantly different from the
requirements for credit/no credit, so please read carefully over the following
descriptions as you make your decision.