This page contains announcements about faculty develoment seminars, workshops, and non-traditional academic courses (e.g., daylong courses that do not fit under semester-long course formats). See also Gene Hargrove's "News and Notes"
To contribute information email rhood@mtsu.edu
January 2006
Ethical Aspects of Urban Development in Northeast Florida
- A Conference at the University of North Florida, October 19-20, 2006
- Florida is the fastest growing state in America, and no part of Florida is more primed for an explosion of growth than the greater Jacksonville area and the coastal counties surrounding it. When John A. Delaney, President of the University of North Florida, was Jacksonville's mayor, he established the Jacksonville Preservation Project, an initiative focused on purchasing land for conservation and restoration. Then-Mayor Delaney understood that the near future would most likely see record growth in the area, and he understood that if land were to be set aside for preservation, the time had to be now. These two forces Ð the movement toward massive growth and the recognition that care must be taken to steer growth in appropriate ways Ð makes this time and this place ideal for a "grounded," "sited" discussion of the ethical, social, and scientific aspects of urban development.
- In the fall of 2006 Ð on Thursday and Friday, October 19-20 Ð the University of North Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Center for Ethics, Public Policy, and the Professions, in conjunction with the University's Environmental Center, will host a two-day conference on ethical aspects of urban development in northeast Florida. Topics to be addressed will include: issues of densification, greenways, smart growth, new urbanism, sustainable economic growth, sustainable development and green building, river and estuarine issues, northern St. Johns River watershed bioregional issues concerning resource use and management, and issues arising from the establishment of gated communities.
The purpose of the conference is to open relevant issues for consideration and discussion, to explore varieties of perspectives, and to examine both shared and divergent goals concerning northeast Florida growth. To this end, the conference will include sixteen break-out facilitated discussions in two concurrent sessions and two keynote speakers:
Dr. William Throop Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs; Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies Green Mountain College (Poultney, Vermont)
Dr. Charles Kibert Holland Professor, School of Building Construction, University of Florida Founder and Director, Powell Center for Construction and Environment
Papers, presentation abstracts, and proposals for panel discussions are invited on any topic relevant to urban growth; items on the topics mentioned above are especially welcome. Northeast Florida is of particular interest, but papers addressing broader themes are encouraged. Please send two copies of your paper, abstract, or proposal to:
David Fenner Department of Philosophy University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL 32224 or to: dfenner@unf.edu
The deadline for paper submissions is April 1, 2006.