Teaching The Commons

This book examines philosophical assumptions and charts their evolution into conventional wisdom about how human beings should meet their needs, govern themselves, and educate their children. It examines how policies emanating from the assumptions have slowly eroded vitality of rural communities.

Paul Theobald is director of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. He was formerly coordinator of the Program for Rural School and Community Renewal at South Dakota State University at Brookings.

Introduction -- The Creation of Community from a Historical Perspective -- Intradependence -- Cyclic Time -- The Avoidance of Risk -- Public Policy and the Subordination of Community -- The Deserted Village: A European Prelude -- The American Countryside and the Dynamics of Acquisition -- The American Countryside and the Dynamics of Dispossession -- Education and the Renewal of Community -- Starting the Conversation -- Place-Conscious Elementary Classrooms -- Place-Conscious Secondary Classrooms -- Conclusion