General Education Information

Social ecology is a interdisciplinary field, drawing on philosophy, political and social theory, anthropology, history, economics, the natural sciences, and feminism. For an overview of the Institute’s educational projects over the years, see “About the ISE” and our History pages.

Social ecology advocates a reconstructive approach to social and environmental issues, and promotes a directly democratic, confederal politics. As a body of ideas, social ecology envisions a moral economy that moves beyond scarcity and hierarchy, toward a world that reharmonizes human communities with the natural world, while celebrating diversity, creativity and freedom. Students can currently receive an MA in social ecology, through our collaboration with  the Master of Arts program at Prescott College.

Areas of study include:

• Social theory

• Ecological and social activism

• Ecological land use and organic agriculture

• Ecofeminism and other ecophilosophies

• Science and technology studies

• Globalization and global justice

• Community organizing and development

• Food systems and agricultural policy

• Ecological alternatives in education

• Environmental issues and politics

• Environmental justice and community health

• Economic relocalization

• Media democracy

Click here for more information on the MA program. Our educational mission can be found here. An in-depth overview of the many facets of social ecology can be obtained by reviewing our article archives.