What is the Discussion Course?
The Discussion Course on Cooperatives is a group-education tool for people who would like to become familiar with cooperative economics, history and philosophy. The discussion format is centered around carefully selected readings made accessible through a concisely planned anthology. The short readings and lively interpersonal discussions make it the ideal learning environment for busy people who would like to maximize their educational experience. The course is also very inexpensive and is facilitated by the discussion course participants themselves.
The discussion course model is a fun and innovative way for co-ops to engage people in co-operative education. This co-op discussion course is modeled after the discussion courses developed by the NorthWest Earth Institute in
How does it work?
Six to 12 people meet weekly for about two hours to discuss the short readings from a chapter in the course book. The chapters are no more than 20 pages long and are made up of short articles, essays and excerpts from books. The chapters include questions and practical suggestions which are meant to encourage dialogues among the participants and inspire engagement in cooperative activity.
Participants take turns facilitating the discussions. There are eight chapters so ideally eight different people will take a turn leading the group. A second person who is not leading the group that day is encouraged to do a little research or otherwise bring some related bit of art or inspiration to share at the beginning of the session. The first session is lead by the most experienced cooperator in the group. This free-flowing yet structured format is meant to encourage community, trust and mutual respect in the context of personal enrichment while appreciating differences in perspective.
Inspired by the Northwest Earth Institute!
This discussion course is modeled closely after the ones developed by the Northwest Earth Institute, based in Portland, OR. More information on the Earth Institute is available at www.nwei.org. Their wonderful discussion courses on deep ecology, sustainable lifestyle, voluntary simplicity, raising healthy children in a consumer culture, bioregionalism, global warming and globalization can be taken by groups anywhere in the United States. With solidarity and gratitude the organizers of A Discussion Course on Cooperatives celebrate the work of the Northwest Earth Institute. If you would like to participate in other discussion courses, please visit www.nwei.org for more information.
