Human Venture Foundations

An introductory course for transforming how we understand and tackle systemic challenges by learning about the human story across disciplines and cultures.

At a Glance

Human Venture Foundations Class

For the full participatory experience, take this online course with people from around the world to learn the foundational concepts of Human Learning Ecology together with facilitators Elizabeth Dozois and Mark Hopkins. This year's class (Jan - June 2024) has wrapped. If you would like to be notified when the next class will be open, click below.

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Human Venture Foundations Audio Course

The Human Venture Foundations audio course is now available for purchase! Get over 30 episodes of curated and edited content delivered to your favourite podcast app. This course will feature presentations by Elizabeth Dozois and Mark Hopkins as well as other bonus content with host Chris Hsiung. With flexible pricing, this course is available to anyone wanting to connect with the human story.

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Course Description

Human Venture Foundations is a course, presented by long time Associates Elizabeth Dozois and Mark Hopkins, designed to give you a foundational understanding of Human Learning Ecology, a new cross-disciplinary field of study on how human beings, from individuals to civilizations, learn or fail to learn. Currently, you can take the course an audio course. If you'd like to be notified when the next 5-month in-person class starts, click here.

Through the exploration of a wide range of human endeavours - engineering, military strategy, science, forensics, epidemiology, ethics, education, politics, and more - you will gain insight into the root causes of a diversity of issues and how they might be addressed. For example:

What shapes how we understand climate change and why is denial and avoidance a common response?
What are the limitations of schooling in preparing students for life?
What capacities have allowed us to create world-altering technology?
What is the role of our culture in how we think, act and care?
What does it mean to be alive and human in our time and place in history?

Underlying each of these questions are principles of how human beings perceive, interpret and act on the world. Learn what these principles are, how they function and interact, as well as their application to your own thinking. Be prepared to explore widely, engage in challenging deep conversations, and develop the stamina for life-long learning. If this excites you, then don't hesitate to register and join our community of explorers.

If you have any questions, please contact us directly at info@humanventure.com.

We are human 'becomings,' not human beings because our species is young and we are still shaping it.
Ken Low

Want to learn a bit more about the course before you register? Listen to the introductory episode from our audio course:

Ep2: Introduction to Human Learning Ecology

Reasons to take the Course

EXPLORE

Explore examples of human intelligence and folly from a broad range of domains throughout history and across cultures, including engineering, military strategy, science, ethics, education, politics, and much, much more.

CONNECT

Connect with others who are also invested in how we contribute to the human journey. Tackling systemic challenges takes a mutual learning community that isn't always conventionally available.

REFRESH

Revisit Ken Low's work in a new and improved way to develop a foundational understanding of Human Learning Ecology that you can apply in your own life engagements.

NURTURE

Nurture the quality of your thinking, caring, and acting through exploring the human story. Delve deeper into what it would take to live up to our namesake: homo sapiens, wise person.

TOOLS

While frameworks are helpful for thinking about complex subjects, this course will provide tools for assessing frameworks and orienting us in an increasingly fractious informationscape.

TRANSCENDENT

Investigate what the transcendent or largest frame of life means and how it impacts how we think, care and act. Set aside time to delve into the big picture.

AUDIO Course Now Available

Missed the registration for the course or can't commit to the in-class time requirements? The audio course is now available for purchase! Listen on your favourite podcast app to course presentations by Elizabeth Dozois and Mark Hopkins at your own leisure through regular episodes with host Chris Hsiung. Interviews with special guests and bonus content will also be released throughout the course.

The Investment

The human venture requires as many people as possible invested in our collective journey. We want to make this course accessible to everyone. When registering for this course, you will be able to choose how much to pay depending on what is right for you and your situation. If you are keen to connect with the human story, we would love to have you regardless of how much you can pay. If you can afford the suggested rate or more, then this will go a long way to supporting our organization.

Audio Course Only
Includes over 30 episodes of curated and edited course content, interviews, and bonus material delivered to your favourite podcast app.

Suggested Rate: $600
Your Rate: Flexible

Sample Episodes

Get a taste of the course before you invest.

Ep1: Welcome to the Course

Ep2: Intro to Human Learning Ecology

Ep3: Barriers to Learning (Part 1)

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Elizabeth Dozois

Lead Facilitator

Elizabeth Dozois (Word on the Street Ltd.) is a Calgary-based consultant who provides strategic support, research, curriculum design, and facilitation to organisations in the non-profit and public sectors. She is currently working with the Calgary Police Service to enhance psychological safety, equity, inclusion, and belonging through an initiative called the Art of the Nudge. She is a Human Venture Institute (HVI) Associate and has been helping to deliver Human Venture leadership programs for almost two decades.

Mark Hopkins

Co-Facilitator

Mark Hopkins (he/him) is a theatre artist with Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre, which generates productive discomfort through art-making. He volunteers with Kawalease Arab Canadian Theatre and the Centre for Newcomers, is a Fellow with the Energy Futures Lab, and founded We Should Know Each Other, a community-bridging initiative. He has spent the past decade involved in Human Venture programs including co-facilitating Integrity Leadership, an introductory program in partnership with the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women. Mark is currently a Human Venture Associate and a Human Venture Leadership board member.

Chris Hsiung

Podcast Producer

Chris Hsiung is an engineer turned documentary filmmaker. He runs Hidden Story Productions, a company dedicated to using digital media to nurture a more compassionate, just, and intelligent society. Chris has produced award winning documentaries, museum exhibits, and multimedia cultural centres. Chris is a Human Venture Institute (HVI) Associate and has served in a variety of capacities as volunteer, program facilitator, and board member over the last two decades.