The Ecological University: A Feasible Utopia

Description

Universities continue to expand, bringing considerable debate about their purposes and relationship to the world. In The Ecological University, Ronald Barnett argues that universities are short of their potential and responsibilities in an ever-changing and challenging environment. This book centres on the idea that the expansion of higher education has opened new spaces and possibilities. The university is interconnected with a number of ecosystems: knowledge, social institutions, persons, the economy, learning, culture and the natural environment. These seven ecosystems of the university are all fragile and in order to advance and develop them universities need to engage with each one. By looking at matters such as the challenges of learning, professional life and research and inquiry, this book outlines just what it could mean for higher education institutions to understand and realize themselves as exemplars of the ecological university. With bold and original insights and practical principles for development, this radical and transformative book is essential reading for university leaders and administrators, academics, students, and all interested in the future of the university. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: The coming of the ecological university Part I The idea of the ecological 1 The idea of ecology 2 Assembling the pieces 3 Beyond sustainability 4 Seven ecosystems Interlude: A social ecology of the university Part II The ecological university 5 The eco-university: principles and maxims 6 Ecological inquiry 7 Beyond liquid learning to the ecological learner 8 Sightings of an ecological curriculum 9 Towards an ecological professionalism 10 Engaging the world Part III Ecological audit 11 The idea of the ecological university: an audit 12 A university for the whole Earth Coda: A revolution in the offing? Bibliography Subject index Name index