Bi-culturalism & Sustainability in College Education

Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand is offering two transformative courses for college faculty!

These separate, but interrelated courses are taught over two weeks (June 22-July 3, 2020). This is a hands-on, experiential program that provides the tools to begin integrating these subjects into your teaching. The power of this experience is the connection between the two subjects.

Māori have traditionally been deeply connected to natural resources both as a means for survival and spiritual fulfilment. In Sustainability, it is our connection and behaviour towards the land and natural environments that are essential for human survival and holistic health.

Course 1: Constructing Culture - Understanding a Bi-Cultural Perspective

Learn about the conditions that created contemporary New Zealand society and take advantage of this opportunity to examine and reflect on your own cultural context, and the relationships in the places we share. This will lead to you being able to articulate an in-depth understanding of how culture is socially constructed. By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Compare differing motivations, attitudes and perspectives to nation-building and partnership.
• Critique the legitimacy of power, particularly within a bi-cultural relationship.
• Research into different agreements that form the basis of a bi-cultural partnership.

Course 2: Sustainability through Nature

Enhance your awareness and deepen your knowledge of one of the biggest global priorities facing the modern world. Dunedin’s diverse ecosystems will become your classroom as you explore sustainability.

You will walk away with:

• A greater understanding of sustainability concepts and how they are applicable in your own context.
• The ability to apply an evidence-based framework to create an action plan to integrate sustainability into your curricula
• Evaluate likely impacts of sustainable interventions using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Reflect on social sustainability concepts that give you a greater understanding of yourself and the system you live within.

Date: June 22 - July 3, 2020

Program fee: NZD $4,000 per person

Included:

Airport pickup and drop off from Dunedin New Zealand

Accommodation in New Zealand with breakfast and lunch provided

Not Included:

Round trip airfare (book your own round trip flights)

Activity fees outside those included in the program itinerary Visitor visa charge

Incidentals, spending money Travel insurance

This program requires 10 participants. Expressions of interest can be registered at michael.simmons@op.ac.nz. OP will be in regular contact with interested parties as to the status of the program and provide two months’ notice as to whether the program will proceed.