Course Syllabus

Perspectives in Nature and the Environment Fall 2009
HONS 1302-H01
MWF 12:00 – 12:50 AD 235

Instructor
Dr. Mark McGinley
Room 215 McClelland Hall
mark.mcginley@ttu.edu

Office Hours:
T-Th- 10-11 or by appointment

I encourage you to make an appointment to meet with me if you need to see me. The easiest ways to do this are (1) to talk to me either before or after class or (2) to send me an email listing times when you are available to meet with me and then I will let you know which works best for me.

Course Outline
This course offers a multidisciplinary introduction into study of nature and the environment. Topics studies in this class will include environmental ethics, environmental history, ecology, and environmental science with a focus on the value of, risks to, and preservation of biodiversity. The course will consist of a combination of lectures, group discussions, and writing workshops. This course will be writing intensive.

THIS COURSE FULFILLS THE CORE CURRICULUM TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED SCIENCE REQUIREMENT.

Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to demonstrate understanding of how technology and applied science affect society and the environment and to demonstrate understanding of the relationship between ethics and technology.

Student Absence for Observation of Religious Holy Days

A student who is absent from classes for the observation of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence if, not later than the fifteenth day after the first day of the semester, the student had notified the instructor of each scheduled class that the student would be absent for a religious holy day.


Academic Integrity.

Texas Tech University faculty strive to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standards of integrity. Any attempt by students to present as their own work any work not honestly performed is regarded by faculty and administration as a most serious offence and renders offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension from the university. “Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give an unfair academic advantage to a student. A detailed list of offenses is available in the Code of Student Conduct, found in Part IX, pp. 20-21 in the current Student Handbook, available on line at:
http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu?publications/SA_handbook_2005-2006.pdf.

Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until
appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office at 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a fully-engaged student will be able to:

1. “Think critically” about environmental issues. assessed by performance in class discussions, exams, presentation, and written papers

2. Discuss environmental issues in a scientific, political, social and historical context.assessed by performance on in class discussions, midterm exam, and written paper

3. Demonstrate understanding of how rapid pace of technology and applied science may have good and bad outcomes.assessed by performance on class discussion and written paper

4. Articulate your personal environmental ethic. assessed by performance on written paper

5. Lead and participate in group discussions about environmental issues. assessed by performance on class discussions and discussion leader

6. Write about environmental issues. assessed by performance on written papers and exams

Grading
Midterm exam 15%
Final exam 15%
Participation in workshops, online, and discussion 10%
Writing assignments 30%
Paper on Personal Environmental Ethic 15%
Presentation 15%

It is extremely important that all assignments be turned in on time!!!

Midterm and Final Exam
The written midterm and final exams will cover material discussed in lectures and discussions.

Writing Assignments
These papers will be three pages maximum double spaced.
You will turn in a draft of this paper that will be critiqued by your classmates and me during a “Workshop” class period.
You can revise your paper and turn in a final copy of paper to be graded!

Personal Environmental Ethic Paper
In this paper (maximum of 5 pages double spaced) students will articulate their personal environmental ethic. The first draft of this paper is due November 4th and the final draft is due November 23rd.

Presentation on Environmental Issue
Each student will have an entire class period to give a presentation and lead a discussion on an environmental topic of their choice (more details to follow).

Course Blog

I have created a blog for this course. This blog will be an important means of communication between us so I encourage you to check the blog early and often. The blog is located at http://perspectivesinnature.blogspot.com/. Hopefully, most of your questions about the details of the class will be answered somewhere on the blog.

Blog posts will include your reading assignments and occasionally practice questions to check your learning. In addition, I will list specific “expected learning outcomes” for each lesson to help you focus your study efforts.

Required Reading

There is no required textbook for this course. I will assign readings throughout the semester on the course blog http://perspectivesinnature.blogspot.com/.

Books About Writing

Writing well is important for effective communication. Thus, improving your writing skills is an important component of this course. Here are a couple of references that would be useful for you to have on your shelf (and use) throughout your college career. (these books are not required).

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves. The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. By Lynne Truss.



Very (Extremely) Tentative Course Schedule

Week 1. (August 28)
Introduction
Critical Thinking

Week 2. (August 31- September 4)
Ecology in Brief
First Web Assignment Due- September 4th

Week 3. (September 9 - 11)
Monday- Labor Day Holiday
Ecology in Brief
First Writing Assignment- Due September 11

Week 4. (September 14 - 18)
Monday- workshop papers
Introduction to Environmental Issues
First Writing Assignment- Final Draft Due September 18

Week 5. (September 21 - 25)
Introduction to Environmental Issues
Second Writing Assignment- Due September 25

Week 6. (September 28 - October 2)
Monday- workshop papers
Introduction to Environmental Issues
Second Writing Assignment- Due October 2nd

Week 7. (October 5 - 9)
Global Climate Change
Midterm Exam- Friday October 9th

Week 8. (October 12 - 16)
Environmental Philosophy
Third Writing Assignment- Due October 16th

Week 9. (October 19 - 23)
Monday- workshop papers
Environment and Religion
Third Writing Assignment- Final Draft Due October 23

Week 10. (October 26 to 30)
Environment and Politics


Week 11. (November 2 - 6)
Environment and Politics cont.
***First draft of Personal Environmental Ethics Paper due November 4***
Friday- workshop Environmental Ethics Papers

Week 12. (November 9 - 13)
Student led discussions

Week 13. (November 16 - 20)
Student led discussions

Week 14. (November 23)
Student led discussions
***Final Draft of Personal Environmental Ethic paper due November 23rd**

Week 15. (November 30 - December 4)
Student led discussions

Week 16. (December 7 - 9)
Student led discussions

Final Exam- Wednesday December 16th- 1:30 to 4:00 PM.