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Earth Day at 50 Teach-Out

Discover the University of Michigan's involvement in the origins of Earth Day and get empowered to take action on climate change.

3,061 enrolled on this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • Digital upgrade

    Free

Explore the past, present, and future of sustainability this Earth Day 2020

April 22 2020 marks 50 years of Earth Day. Earth Day is celebrated around the world and brings together individuals to protest and open up the conversation around sustainability.

On this Teach-Out, you’ll learn how the actions of University of Michigan students from the Environmental Action for Survival (ENACT) group started Earth Day as we know it.

50 years on, you’re invited to explore how sustainability spans generations, experiences, and industries.

You’ll discover sustainable and climate change action taking place around the world, and be inspired by stories of environmental justice.

You’ll learn with an expert team of guest educators from Michigan University, including:

  • Matt Lassiter, Professor of History & Urban and Regional Planning
  • David Allen, Art Hanson, Elizabeth Kingwell, and George Coling - Members of Environmental Action for Survival (ENACT)
  • Neda Masoud, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Jonathan Overpeck, Dean, School for Environment and Sustainability
  • Michaela Zint, Professor and Associate Dean, School for Environment and Sustainability
  • Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra, Carillonist & Carillon Instructor

What topics will you cover?

  • Explore the origins of Earth Day in 1970
  • Learn from a diverse range of experts as they envision a sustainable and just future
  • Understand interdisciplinary and intergenerational perspectives: environmental justice, public health, renewable resources, astrophysics, data visualization librarian, dance professor, design student
  • Understand how centering justice will help us not only create a sustainable future but a just one

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the history of Earth Day since 1970
  • Contribute their own experiences and opinions about Earth Day and the environmental movement
  • Reflect on ways to make the world more sustainable and just.
  • Compare different perspectives and opinions about sustainability and reflect on their own opinions.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the beginnings and history of Earth Day in 1970 and anyone who wants to learn more about the future of sustainability.

Who developed the course?

University of Michigan

As the #1 public research university in the United States, U-M has been a leader in research, learning, and teaching for more than 200 years, with 102 Grad programs in the top 10 — U.S. News & World Report (2019).

  • Established

    1817
  • Location

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  • World ranking

    Top 30Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

What's included?

University of Michigan are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

    Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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