The Earth Project 2011-2012
The Earth Project is a celebration of intellectual and creative
inquiry for the academic year 2011-2012. There are often rigid
boundaries among disciplines on a university's campus and this
year's emphasis of the Earth Project, which is inherently
interdisciplinary in scope, challenges this paradigm by
interweaving disparate knowledge bases to produce unique and
exciting outcomes. Faculty, staff, and students may participate in
the Earth Project by submitting proposals to Earth Project
committee members and attending Earth Project events that may
include panel discussions, collaborative lectures, performance and
visual arts experiences, and other creative
collaborations.
Why Earth? The theme of earth is never more timely than now as
we consider both local and global phenomena that are fundamentally
shaping life on this planet. As Wendell Berry said, "We have lived
by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the
world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives, so that it
will be possible to live by the contrary assumption that what is
good for the world will be good for us..." As we investigate earth
themes over the next year, we hope that in some ways our lives will
be changed to reflect this new paradigm.
Over the summer, a committee has been assembled, consisting of
faculty from each of the six Colleges and representation from
staff. The committee consists of the following members:
Timothy Carter (Earth Project director, Center for Urban Ecology,
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Larry Lad (College of
Business), Ryan Flessner (College of Education), Kate Boyd (Jordan
College of Fine Arts), Medhane Cumbay (College of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences), Mark Rademacher (College of Communication), Tom
Dolan (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Robin Turner (College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences) and Marc Allan (University
Relations).
Grants:
The Earth Project Committee will offer modest grants to offset the
cost of events or projects (creative, scholarly, pedagogical)
related to the theme. Applications can be made in writing to
any member of the committee. Proposed events or projects
should be completed prior to April 20, 2012. The Committee
will consider proposals until all available funds have been
allocated.
Stipends:
Faculty, staff, or students who execute an Earth Project event that
includes interdisciplinary collaboration receive a stipend of $300
in recognition of their contribution to the Butler community. This
collaboration may come from partnering with others outside
of his or her department or in the broader Indianapolis
community.
Prizes: To encourage
collaboration across Colleges, and to recognize creative
contributions to the project, the Committee will offer prizes for a
variety of categories related to the theme.
Earth Project Award categories for 2011-12:
1) "Best student-initiated"
2) "Best interdisciplinary"
3) "Unique interpretation of the
theme"
4) "Most participants (not
attendees)"
5) "People's choice"
Winners will receive a $500 award.
*****
Faculty, staff, and students may participate in the Earth
Project by attending events or submitting proposals to Tim Carter,
Earth Project Chair, at tlcarter@gmail.com or other
members of the committee. Earth Project events may include panel
discussions, collaborative lectures, performance and visual arts
experiences, and other creative collaborations.
Please begin considering ways in which you can contribute to the
Earth Project in your teaching, scholarly and creative activities
this year. There is an Earth Project group on Facebook that
will be used to keep the campus community updated about various
events associated with the project. We would like all faculty,
staff, and students to keep the Earth Project in mind over the
course of the academic year. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact any member of the committee.
Click
here to view the Earth Project calendar of events.
Click
here to view the Earth Project Facebook page.
For more information on the Earth Project, to submit a
proposal, or to get a copy of the Earth Project image for
use in your approved presentation or project please contact Tim
Carter at tlcarter@gmail.com.