Afghan Poppies, Climate Change and War: Thinking Systemically About Us and Them
Karen Litfin, University of Washington-Seattle Campus
This contemplative practice inquires into the complex web of interdependencies linking global climate change, the War on Terror, Afghan poppy production, opiate addiction, and food security through the lens of systems theory. The exercise challenges students to consider these linkages not only conceptually but also somatically and emotionally.

Garbage Archaeology
Gem Baldwin, Edmonds Community College
Students will look at the garbage we create as a culture in a deeper and more connected way and theorizing about the culture that creates and uses it. Designed for use in an online course, it could certainly be adapted for use in grounded courses as well.

Native Plants, Native Peoples: Ethnobotany of the Puget Sound Bioregion
Liz Fortenbery, Tacoma Community College
Students gain a small glimpse into a native knowledge system and the relationship between people and plants, and thus begin to develop or strengthen their own relationship to native plants and the Puget Sound watershed.

Sustaining Indigenous Cultures
Tori Saneda, Cascadia Community College
Student teams will research an indigenous culture focusing on issues of both cultural and environmental sustainability as they are related to modern development.