As part of my graduate study in Human Development at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, I wrote an independent study course called “Sustainability in Motion”. I’m very lucky to be in a graduate program that allows me to take any class, and to write my own curriculum around my own goals of exploration.
Here is the outline for the course!
Sustainability in Motion - 4 credits
Objectives
- To explore, experience, and practice the culture and lifestyle of car-free transportation.
- To explore and experience, on a bicycle, the “bicycle friendly†cities of Minneapolis, MN; Madison, WI; and Portland, OR..
- To expand my knowledge of bicycle safety and maintenance, and to explore local and regional resources relating to bicycle transportation.
- To participate in activities which pair bicycling with direct action and non-violent protest.
- To synthesize my experience and knowledge through the collection of resources, creative writing, art, photography, and web design.
Means
- I will explore city, county, and regional bicycle routes and trails in the Twin Cities metro area.
- I will travel to the cities of Madison, WI and Portland, OR, utilizing only public transit and a bicycle while in these cities as means of transportation.
- I will participate in one or more “Critical Mass†bicycle rides.
- I will participate in workshops and training covering bicycle safety, road maintenance, and “changing relationships to power†while in Portland, OR.
- I will document my personal experiences in a web log diary (blog), addressing the following topics: 1) a bike ride diary, 2) summaries of classes, conferences, and events I attend relating to bicycling and alternative transportation, 3) fundraising efforts for my travel expenses to Portland, OR, 4) my own digital photography and artwork relating to bicycling and alternative transit, 5) my reflections and reactions while visiting other “bicycle friendly citiesâ€, and other topics deemed relevant to this experience.
- I will read and view the following books, films, and DVD productions:
Film: Who Killed the Electric Car (2006) – Sony Pictures Classics
Film: B.I.K.E. directed by J. Septimus and A. Howard
DVD: Still We Ride (2005) - In Tandem Productions
The Island of Bicycle Dancers by Jiro Adachi
Critical Mass: Bicycling’s Defiant Celebration by Chris Carlsson
Bicycling Street Smarts by John S. Allen
The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power by Travis Culley
Evaluation Criteria
- I will create an annotated bibliography of readings, films, and other media.
- I will collect and create a listing of bicycle resource information for the Twin Cities, Madison, and Portland.
- I will submit throughout the course to my ongoing web log at: http://www.holisticgeek.com/peaceride/
- I will submit a book report on one or two of my selected readings.
- I will create a booklet of my own images, drawings, reflections, and/or creative writings about my bicycling experiences, which I may replicate and use for future speaking engagements or personal fundraising.
- I will submit a final paper summarizing my reactions, critical learning, and transformation throughout the course.