Environmental Knowledges: Western and Indigenous

The aim of the course is to analyze the relations between Indigenous and Western knowledges, and highlight the most important points of contact between the two systems. It will contribute to building inclusive and holistic knowledge in order to address the environmental and social problems facing the contemporary world. The course will explore how indigenous knowledges challenge Western worldview based on anthropocentrism, history as a way of approaching the past, individuality, progress, Cartesian rationality, and secularism. It offers opportunities for students to analyze various research perspectives, concepts, methods and approaches that attempt to bridge the human, social, and natural sciences and decolonized forms of indigenous knowledge. Students will explore art, literary and historical writing, as well as scientific artifacts of environmental engagement.