Blog #3

A green learning community, from the impression I got from the reading, seems to be a community that highly values knowledge and awareness. Members of a green community should take initiative to become better informed about their environment and the effects that all components of the environment have on each other. They should do this by reading well-reputed authors and scientists, and by spending time in nature. In addition, they should encourage other members of the community, especially the children, to take part in and discover nature. 

         A green learning community should not only encourage one’s awareness to what’s going on in the world around them, but also the ability to analyze and question elements of it and encourage change when necessary.

         I would know a green community if I saw a community with an emphasis on education, ecological literacy and service. It would encourage sustainability and ethical practices. Its members would understand aspects of food distribution and all of the variables that affect it. Its members would also possess a ‘can-do’ attitude that does not accept the general ignorance or the blind acceptance of the treatment of the environment that our society as a whole seems to. Most of all, the community would be one that values the first-hand experience of nature and one that realizes not all learning takes place indoors.

Blog #2 / Profile

My name is Jen and I'm in my fourth year studying broadcast journalism at USC. I grew up here in Columbia and after I graduate I hope to move elsewhere to work. I like spending time with friends, listening to music and watching movies. I don't like birds, middle schoolers, and going to sleep early.


Here is a picture of some place that I like:

Blog #1

  I decided to take this course because I needed a political science credit and this course seemed to be interesting. I want to learn more about the difference between the way food is regulated here in the US and in other countries. I'm looking forward to being in a service learning class because it is structured so differently than any other class I have taken so far at Carolina. I also like how much this course studies and incorporates the region and local businesses, practices and programs within it.
   I disagree largely with the assertion that social hierarchies are 'unnatural, undesirable and avoidable.' In many different species, not just humans, there exists some kind of social hierarchy, and in most species there is at the least some kind of competition for domination. It is in no way 'unnatural.' Nor is it undesirable- most people prefer someone to lead them. There are many social hierarchies in place that are undesirable, but this does not mean they are all unnecessary. I would argue that government is certainly a type of social hierarchy. Without government there would be anarchy which I believe to be more undesirable.
  I agree with the green value demanding nature to be respected. I think this value is especially important because it is one that is dangerously forsaken. People and businesses treat nature as if it is another endlessly abundant and unlimited resource and abuse it extensively. We get our food from the earth, and in doing so green values are very often not respected.
  What surprised me most about the readings how much of an ideology being 'green' really is. When I think about local food and green values, I picture only a few industries being involved, but the reading showed that it is actually an entire lifestyle. I think that the green ideology has many important and morally sound facets, but like any other ideology, it is difficult to achieve this successfully. In the US, where capitalism dominates the market, little government is encouraged, and bare-minimum over head costs are intrinsic to most business models, it seems improbable for consumerism to be less valued and for quality and ethical practices for food production to be more widespread.