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.

Science of Environmental Systems We will utilize a systems approach to study selected environmental topics as we learn how to integrate scientific principles of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. We will also explore intentionally interdisciplinary approaches such as socioecological and regenerative systems frameworks. In lecture, we will take a more global approach as we examine climate change, water, energy, biodiversity, ecosystem services, pollution, and agriculture. We will discover emerging knowledge that is shaping potential solutions and learn how to evaluate such efforts through a systems science lens. In the lab units, we will investigate local manifestations of human-environment relationships through experiential, hands-on, embodied approaches.

Marc Lapin

Reviews and ratings for Marc Lapin at Middlebury College.Marc Lapin teaches The Perennial Turn, Science Environmental Systems and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Marc Lapin good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Lapin was an amazing lab professor and Peter Ryan was fantastic. Very understanding and knowledgeable. Labs were fun and engaging. Lab reports felt a bit like busy work but it's a 100 level course. Indeed

A mess of a course. Deeply boring and bizzare. Worth it to get off campus and to be able to visit a farm but in terms of content, I learned nothing new. Would be valuable if you knew nothing about sustainable approaches or anything. 

This class tapped a lot into spirituality. We deconstructed the idea of nature, and connected with community partners whose work was centered around healing or food systems. This was my favorite part of the course. Bill and Marc are extremely passionate, and take a very unconventional approach to teaching, attempting to do away with the status quo at the door. 