The Perennial Turn The work of repairing Earth—response-ably attending to life-nourishing human and more-than-human interrelationships—starts at scales of self and community. Power dynamics, thoughtways, humans and planet Earth changed when our ancestors began annually disrupting soil ecosystems and storing surplus food. We explore notions of perennial thinking and action through readings, direct experience, and work with local partners at the forefront of the perennial turn. Combining ancient and contemporary knowledges in science, history, philosophy, spirituality, and more, we investigate thinking more like a prairie than a plow. How might we regrow deep roots and craft ways that align with current understandings of Universe, Earth, life? In the Spring 2023 semester we will focus on healing and food systems.

Walking Body, Walking Mind: Philosophy on the Hoof Walking upright with a bipedal gait emerged in early humans between 1.9 and 3.7 million years ago. For the last few millennia and across many cultures and traditions walking has accompanied and inspired human endeavors of the mind and spirit. In this course we will engage the literatures of walking in the humanities and natural/social sciences by reading and discussing excerpts from classic “walking” texts in philosophy, religion, and eco-spirituality, while also experiencing different modes of walking, including its social justice potential in resistance and reconciliation. Suitable footwear and clothing for walking/hiking in January in Vermont required. This course counts as a humanities cognate for Environmental Studies majors.

Bill Vitek

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I had very mixed feelings about this class. It is a seminar-style class that meets once a week, with a lot of field trips thrown in here and there. Some of our class sessions were very enjoyable (going to the Willowell foundation, meeting with John Vincent from the revolutionary press, etc), while others were absolute duds that dragged on aimlessly with no clear lesson plan. My biggest grievance with this class is that I wish Bill and Marc had lectured us in SOME capacity. I understand they're wanting to facilitate a different style of learning and all, but I found myself disappointed not getting to learn much from them because I know that they have so much to share.