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.

Natural Science and the Environment We will explore in detail a series of current environmental issues in order to learn how principles of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics, as well as interdisciplinary scientific approaches, help us to identify and understand challenges to environmental sustainability. In lecture, we will examine global environmental issues, including climate change, water and energy resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services, human population growth, and world food production, as well as the application of science in forging effective, sustainable solutions. In the laboratory and field, we will explore local manifestations of global issues via experiential and hands-on approaches.

Marc Lapin

Reviews and ratings for Marc Lapin at Middlebury College.Marc Lapin teaches The Perennial Turn, Natural Science & Environment 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. 