Education, Sustainability and the Ecological Social Imaginary

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 1-11

3. Setting the Scene: Domains, Challenges and the Social Imaginary

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 13-23

4. The Modern Social Imaginary

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 25-49

5. Education in the Modern Social Imaginary

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 51-76

6. The Major Challenges of the 21st Century?

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 77-104

7. The Challenges of the 21st Century and the Modern Social Imaginary

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 105-120

8. The Ecological Social Imaginary

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 121-144

9. Education in the Ecological Social Imaginary

   • Jeff Buckles

   Pages 145-180

10. Conclusion

    • Jeff Buckles

    Pages 181-188

11. Back Matter

    Pages 189-212

    PDF

This book analyses the evidence for global change, and suggests that the Earth is going through a profound transformation, caused in large part by human action. Land, oceans, polar regions and the atmosphere are all being deeply affected by the human population's lifestyle: what should the educational response be to these various aspects of global change? To answer this, the values of an ecological response are developed, leading to the notion of an 'Ecological Social Imaginary', which looks at how humans can change their way of living to one that is more in harmony with the planet that they live on and depend upon. To enable this, an ecological form of education, Connective Education, is proposed. This focuses on how the human and natural world can be connected for the benefit of humankind and all living and non-living entities, joining head, hand, heart and spirit to the web of life. It is argued that through Connective Education, a particular type of person is formed: one who is able to take their place in the human and natural world, and in this way truly connect with their planet. The book will be essential reading for those working in the fields of Education and Environmental Studies. 

• modern social imaginary
• education for the 21st Century
• environmental education
• education for sustainable development
• sustainability education

• York St John University, York, United Kingdom

  Jeff Buckles

Jeff Buckles is Senior Lecturer in Education at York St John University, UK. He has 20 years' experience of teaching in secondary, middle and primary schools as a teacher and head teacher. He has also taught in Higher Education for 16 years.

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