M Ann Howard Headshot

M Ann Howard

Professor

Department of Science, Technology, and Society
College of Liberal Arts

585-475-5104
Office Location

M Ann Howard

Professor

Department of Science, Technology, and Society
College of Liberal Arts

Education

BS, Cornell University; JD, Rutgers University School of Law

Bio

B.S. Human Ecology, Cornell University
J.D. Rutgers University School of Law

Read More
585-475-5104

Select Scholarship

Invited Keynote/Presentation
Howard, M. Ann and Audrey Horn. "Making the Invisible Visible: A Photojournalism Project with Community Partners." Engage for Change. Siena College. Loudonville, NY. 18 May 2016. Conference Presentation.
Howard, M. Ann, Laurie Worrall, and Pamela Heinz. "Organizing Within the Academy for Transformative Engagement." 30th Anniverary Conference. Campus Compact. Boston, MA. 22 Mar. 2016. Conference Presentation.
Howard, M. Ann. "The Engaged University." Sustainable Urban Development: International Perspectives on The University as Partner in the Transformation of The Post-Industrial City. An International Symposium. Malmo University, Malmo, Sweden/RIT. Rochester, NY. 3 Oct. 2013. Conference Presentation.
Show 4 More
Published Conference Proceedings
Schlombs, Corinna, et al. "Changing an Institutional Environment through Appreciative Inquiry: Rochester Institute of Technology's College of Liberal Arts." Proceedings of the Seneca Falls Dialogues. Ed. Barbara LsSavoy, Deborah Uman. Brockport, NY: digital commons@ brockport, Web.
Johannsson, Magnus and M. Ann Howard. "Community Based Learning in Sweden and the United States - What Works in Different Local Contexts." Proceedings of the Living Knowledge Conference. Ed. S sser Brodersen, Jens Dorland & Michael Sogaard Jorgensen. Copenhagen, Denmark: n.p., 2014. Web.

Currently Teaching

STSO-230
3 Credits
Are you passionate about addressing the socially-complex, wicked problems of our time? This interdisciplinary, active-learning course will lay the groundwork for students who want to participate in future place-based community-engaged research, development or design projects that build on community strengths and address community determined challenges. Through literature reviews, discussions, cases study analysis, role plays, debates, reflective writing, and visits with experienced community practitioners, we will explore the larger context of the systems within which we live and how others have engaged in efforts to improve community wellbeing both locally and globally. We will strive for a more nuanced understanding of our world and its power dynamics from various perspectives. We will investigate the context in which community and economic development has traditionally occurred, how technology has been involved, and the effects of projects and activities on the “beneficiaries”. We will investigate best practices including mindsets, worldviews, skills, processes, and tools for community-driven positive change. Finally we will use all our learnings to develop our own evaluation framework and apply it to a current community project. This course incorporates humanities and social science approaches and counts for general education requirements.
STSO-421
3 Credits
Governments and organizations use a variety of tools, including laws and regulations, to take action on issues related to people and the environment. This course introduces students to environmental policies on numerous topics in a variety of institutions, contexts, and scales (such as local, state, federal, international). Students will examine how societal values inform the development, content, and impacts of environmental policies. Key topics include climate change, air and water pollution, and community sustainability.
STSO-550
3 Credits
The concept of sustainability has driven many national and international policies. More recently, we have become aware that unless we physical build and rebuild our communities in ways that contribute to sustainability, making progress toward that goal is unlikely. It is equally important to recognize the social aspects of sustainability. In addition, it is at the local level that the goals of equity (a key consideration in community sustainability), most often achieved through citizen participation and collaborative processes are most easily realized. This course will broaden students understanding of the concept of sustainability, particularly the concept of social sustainability. This course focuses on sustainability as a way to bring light to the connections between natural and human communities, between nature and culture, and among environmental, economic, and social systems. Working closely with local organizations, students will explore the applicability of theoretical concepts.