The differences in ways humans explore and come to ”know” the universe around them have generated much debate over the value and management of our natural resources. The course/workshop will introduce the concept of Integral Ecology (IE) as it applies to improving the management of natural resources, particularly fishery management. IE is a application of Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory applied to ecological problems that allows insights into distinct perspectives which lead to a more holistic understanding of ecological-social systems. IE recognizes that the cultivation of mutual understanding, including one’s own self-awareness and spirituality, is an essential component in addressing our environmental problems. The course will explore multiple issues associated with the development of integral theory, including the relationships between ecology, economics, management and policy development, environmental conflict, and personal perspectives. Through examples we will explore resource management practices of native cultures and modern fishery management in Hawaii and Oregon. Students will be involved in multiple field and group exercises and will conduct group projects on an integral analysis on the establishment of an MPA network in Oregon.

Syllabus for course (in PDF format)

Dr. Brian Tissot's web page

HMSC Homepage