The Institute for Social Ecology (ISE) is an educational institution in Plainfield, Vermont, dedicated to the study of social ecology, "an interdisciplinary field drawing on philosophy, political and social theory, anthropology, history, economics, the natural sciences, and feminism." Founded in 1974, ISE offered some of the first courses in the country on urbanism and ecology, radical technology, ecology and feminism, activist art and community; The ISE became independent from Goddard in 1981, establishing its own campus at Cate farm in Plainfield.

In 1974, Dan Chodorkoff arranged for 20 members of the Lower East Side activist group Charas to visit the Institute; they were doing similar work in their neighborhoord, including the creation of a community garden, building a geodesic dome, and the rehabilitation of abandoned buildings into housing and an arts center. The group included future actor Luis Guzman, who recalled, "I discovered a new sense of freedom when I came up here. The fresh air, the vibe, growing your own food, solar energy. These guys were doing all that type of stuff. I was going to the quarry and swimming and everybody was butt naked. Oh, hell, yeah!"

While the three-month summer programs had hosted an estimated 300 participants, the Institute has since become smaller, but continues to offer smaller programs.

Activities

The ISE hosts summer programs, a year-round B.A. degree program, workshops on issues such as biotechnology and a speakers bureau. The ISE is involved in research as well as publishing and activist projects.

Intensives

The ISE organizes educational 'intensive seminars' about human/nature relationships, directly democratic movements, climate change, and the historical unfolding of Left politics. At ISE intensives, students establish links between their current political work on the ground to the 'grounded theory' of social ecology.

MA Program at Prescott College

The ISE works in collaboration with the Prescott College Master of Arts Program (MAP) to offer a concentration in social ecology for Prescott MAP students. Students attend colloquia in Prescott, Arizona, and in Vermont, while working independently in their home communities in collaboration with an ISE graduate advisor.

Summer colloquia

The Institute for Social Ecology has held annual summer colloquia since 2007. The weekend gatherings are an opportunity for new and longtime associates of the Institute to discuss current issues, workshop writing projects, and renew a sense of community.

Activism

Dan Chordokoff told VPR in 2014, "I think we've always seen our role as one of educating other educators and activists," and "as a place which was involved in praxis, really trying to take the ideas and see how they can be applied in the world. And invariably, inevitably that's led to involvement in a number of ecologically oriented social movements over the years."

See also

  • Sustainability
  • Biodiversity
  • Food sovereignty
  • Social justice

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References

  • Education & Community Action: A History of the Institute for Social Ecology's Programs
  • Social Ecology and Social Movements: From the 1960s to the Present
  • Prescott College Master of Arts Program (MAP)