ECO 500/600:The Organic Psychology of Global Citizenship

Credits: 2 Credits applicable to all program tracks
Required Textbook: The Web of Life Imperative
Tuition: $150.00
Included: The textbook for this course (The Web of Life Imperative), a copy of Dr. Cohen’s book Reconnecting with Nature (which is the textbook for the second group course, ECO501/601 Introduction to Educating and Counseling with Nature), and a copy of the DVD, Naturally Attracted: Connecting with Michael J. Cohen.

This course is the starting point for all students in our program, regardless of the program track. This is where we all begin, stepping out into nature and opening our senses beyond the walls that our industrialized lifestyle has built. Here students learn the basics of Natural Attraction Ecology and The Natural Systems Thinking Process by direct sensory perception in nature. Here students explore what it feels like to build friendships based on our attractions to each others thoughts, feelings and nature experiences.

Course Description:

This beginner’s course lays the foundation for all of the courses in this program. Students learn the basic elements of citizenship which are observed in members of healthy natural communities. The experiential activities of the course help students learn through direct sensory perception how these have broken down. They gain a basic understanding of  the ways in which members of modern industrialized cultures relate dysfunctionally with nature. Through experiential activities in nature (that students do on their own) and small group online discussions, students explore their senses, learn about the roles of attraction and consent, and discover how to create moments that let Earth teach and inspire. They practice the basic steps of the Natural Systems Thinking Process.

“Interact Groups” of 3-5 students share experiences and insights in email posts once per week. The groups are co-facilitated by a more experienced student, with guidance from the instructor as needed throughout the course. As in all of our experiential group classes, students quickly learn that nature is the true expert here.

This course helps most students to decide whether the program is right for them. Halfway through this course, students are invited to apply to continue on in one of our certificate or degree tracks.

Check out the entire Program Pathway.

Read more Testimonials about student experiences with this life-changing course.

The value of the course seems consistently to include a greater sense of belonging on our home planet, a sense that we are not alone in needing to be more deeply connected to nature and a sense that it is possible to create positive human community.Project NatureConnect Student