During the Fall Intensive, students experience an intensive introduction to the ecology, society, and culture of their new environment in northern New England. This includes studying local botany, human history, land-use practices of the regional economy, and the local artisan community. Students begin outdoor challenge activities and small group work, learn about establishing norms of social conduct, build community, and initiate conversations about what it means to live sustainably. This course consists of group discussions, tours, orientations to various Sterling College programs, and outdoor activities.

Our daily living and work typicaly involve the focus of our labors and mind on the immediate world around us - the physical and the intellectual goals of the person, the community & the Earth. This course however offers an opportunity to look up from our knitting, direct our gaze upward and outward and see the heavens, learn the patterns and cycles and ponder the grand and exotic nature of the Universe. Students will both learn their way around the night sky and learn the basic principles of modern cosmology through reading, written assignments, field observation and guided independent projects.

Gender is a divisive and explosive issue in American society. Exploring and gaining understanding about the role gender plays in our society can enhance ones ability to contribute to society as an involved and responsible citizen. An ability to perceive and correctly analyze gender dynamics around leadership, group dynamics, community involvement, and social change can be crucial to constructive involvement in problem solving. Our society plays out many dramas and conflicts around gender issues, which can be hard to navigate successfully. This course will provide valuable perspectives on gender-related dynamics and a new lens through which to view everyday situations.

This course is a field-based exploration of the flora and vegetation of the North Woods, with an emphasis on the ecological interplay between temperate deciduous and boreal forest biomes. Students build on foundational principles of natural history and ecology through development and practice of observation, identification, and interpretation skills and the keeping of a refined naturalist field journal. Topics include a botanical survey of woody plant families and representative species, natural community composition and structure, biogeographic concepts, ecological succession, identification and classification skills (including an introduction to botanical keys, as well as extensive use of other types of field guides), and the history and philosophy of Natural History. Course format includes lectures, discussions, and a significant field component. PREREQUISITE: NS207: Ecology

Public presentation of the Senior Applied Research Project (SARP) to the Sterling College community. Must include a display, written report, and formal presentation utilizing PowerPoint and other technology. Prerequisite: SS440 or NS440.

Open for topics of special interest to faculty and students in a particular year. A group wishing to initiate a course will draw up a detailed syllabus to keep on file and submit it to the Dean of Academics for approval. A recent example is The Art of Place. Students were introduced to tools for community building such as labyrinths, stone rings, and circle dance.

Open for topics of special interest to faculty and students in a particular year. A group wishing to initiate a course will draw up a detailed syllabus to keep on file and submit it to the Dean of Academics for approval. A recent example is The Art of Place. Students were introduced to tools for community building such as labyrinths, stone rings, and circle dance.

This course will be a hands-on farm management course. Students will be exposed to all seasonal farm skills and be trained to execute the work. Additionally, this course will push students to “think like a farmer” by taking on management responsibilities. Students will do weekly farm walks (vegetable production and pastures) which will guide them in generating a weekly priority list. Additionally, students will engage in “rotations” or areas of the farm that require management and decision making. The rotations include: Propagation, Dining Hall Contract, Pasture Management, Ag Power Management, and Bread Baking for the community. Students will experience the seasonal rhythm of the farm building confidence in overall farm management. Finally, students will create a Personal Learning Plan that will be used to guide their learning for the summer. Weekly check ins with the instructor will provide accountability and assessment.