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 dramatically when our ancestors began annually disrupting soil ecosystems and storing surplus food. We explore and engage in 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 sciences, philosophies, spiritualities, and more, we investigate thinking more like a prairie than a plow. How might developing a perennial orientation toward the world help us regrow deep roots and craft ways that align with current understandings of Universe, Earth, and life? 3 hrs. sem.