LLED 565E 061
Instructor: Dr. Derek Gladwin
Credits: 3
September 8 – December 3 | Wednesday | 4:30 – 7:30 PM
Energy Literacy in Educational and Environmental Futures
Energy is one of the most complex and defining issues of our age. Society needs forms of energy to survive, but the most consumed form of fossil fuel energy is not only finite, but also the primary cause of climate change. Without an understanding of the environmental and social impacts of energy use, people cannot fully engage in the development of better practices and policies as students, educators, and citizens. This course overviews basic knowledge about energy systems, while it also highlights how energy functions in cultural, social, and educational contexts. Throughout this course students and educators will learn about basic functions of energy systems (e.g., fossil fuels, solar, hydro), where the sources of energy emerge, social and ecological impacts of energy, and ways of understanding the role of energy in our daily lives. These factors contribute to our ability to communicate about energy and literacy in meaningful ways. Developing energy epistemologies (and pedagogies to support them) enhances the ways we can think and know about our ecological and energy histories and futures. Both quantitative and qualitative methods contribute to energy literacy, but this course emphasizes the need for qualitative approaches in arts and humanities education to augment environmental literacy and sustainability education about energy.
Cross-listed with LLED 480E 061. This section will be offered online.