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SCI 141 |
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Syllabus Science
141 Syllabus
Science
2000
Course
Title: SCI 141 –
Humans within Ecosystems Term:
Fall 2000; Lecture TTH 11-12:30 p.m.; Lab TTH 2 – 4 p.m. Instructor:
Dr. Carolyn L. Thomas Office:
Garber Hall 225; Phone: 365-4368 email: cthomas@ferrum.edu Office
Hours: MWF 11 – 12;
MTTH: 1 – 2 p.m.; MWF: 2 – 3 p.m. Description:
This course covers topics related to human and their interaction with
ecosystems, especially how changes in ecosystems affect humans and vice
versa. The characteristics of ecosystem changes will be studied
through the scientific eye and also through the perspective of the
humanities and the Appalachian Culture. Change as a theme or motif
in the arts and humanities, will be compared to the study of change in
science, especially in ecosystems. The literary readings will be
used to illustrate how nature and the environment are depicted in
Appalachian literature, and to explore other parallels between science
and the humanities. Specific areas of study will include
succession, time scales, and change in ecosystems and in literature and
art; evolution as an element of change; cycling of materials in
ecosystems; and recurring motifs in literature. Why
Take this Class? Environmental
science and the study of ecosystems of this world and their potential
demise have long been an area of concern for scientists as well as the
general public. Relating the details of science and the study of
ecology to each person’s personal experience seems difficult for many
people, but it is important for each of us to consider the connections
between the environment and other areas of our lives. This course
enables students to relate the characteristics of structure and function
of ecosystems to subjects they may be more familiar with already,
including Appalachian literature, art, music, history, political
science, religion, and other areas of the humanities and the arts.
The information and ideas in this course will prepare the students to
become better informed citizens in environmental affairs and to help
teach others about the earth and its inhabitants from a scientific and
humanitarian point of view. Textbooks: 1.
Ecology and Our Endangered
Life-Support Systems (1993)
by Eugene P. Odum (required purchase). 2.
Selu-Seeking the
Corn-Mother’s Wisdom
(1993) by Marilou Awiakta (on reserve). 3.
The Lorax
(1971) by Dr. Seuss (optional purchase, available on reserve) 4.
Photocopies of lab exercises and
additional readings: (required purchase: $5.00). SCIENCE
141: COURSE POLICIES
Class and Lab Meeting Times: Tuesday & Thursday 11 – 12:30 – Lecture and Discussion , Garber 208; Thursday, 2 – 4 p.m. – Lab meeting time, Garber 208 Absence
and Lateness: Please
do not be late or absent from class or lab. If you are late or
absent from class or lab more than 1 time your final grade may be
reduced a letter grade. This class only meets for seven weeks, so
absences are very detrimental. Ferrum College policy mandates that
anyone who misses on-fourth of the class meetings automatically
fails the course. (See college catalog, p. 37) Grade
Evaluation: There
will be one cumulative final exam which will include objective and essay
questions and a practical application portion. There will also be
a course project that requires integrating ecological principles and
some area of the Appalachian Culture in the humanities or arts, using
any appropriate format or media, such as essays, teaching units,
posters, videos, or creative artwork. An oral presentation of this
project to the class and instructor will be required. A journal
must be kept recording class and lab activities, results, and responses
to activities and readings. (More detailed requirements for the
project, the journal, and essays are described in additional handouts.) Final
grades will be determined according to the following percentages:
Grading
Scale: A = 90-100%; B =
80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F=0 – 59% Tobacco:
There will be no tobacco products in the classroom or lab at any time,
including cigarettes, chewing tobacco or any other tobacco product. Honor
Code: I expect absolute
honesty and will not tolerate cheating, plagiarism (including copying of
others’ work and inadequate documentation of sources used),
lying, or disrespect for the other students or the instructor. You
are responsible for reading and understanding the Ferrum College Honor
Policy. Any violations will be presented before the Honor Board or
Campus Judicial Board. Labs: You
must attend all labs and must have read the lab assignment before class.
The journal and essay assignments will require you to record activities
and impressions from each lab exercise. The labs will be informal;
however, lab meetings will be very busy with many requirements which
will take up the two hours, so take care to budget your time in order to
complete weekly assignments. Science
141: Lecture/Discussion Schedule Course: SCI
141 Humans within Ecosystems Term:
Spring 2000 (first ˝ of semester) TTH 11:00 – 12:30 noon G208 Instructor: Dr.
Carolyn L. Thomas
Notes:
The reading assignments must be read by Tuesday of the week they are
assigned (Thursday during the first week). Any changes in assignments
and dates will be announced in class. This includes additional
short readings on handouts that are not listed above. The course project
must be completed by 2:00 PM, February 24, 2000, and an oral
presentation made no later than the same date. Science
141: Tentative Lab Schedule Course:
SCI 141 – Humans within Ecosystems (a Science 2000 course) Term:
Spring 2000 (first ˝ semester) TH 2-4 p.m. G208 Instructor:
Dr. Carolyn L. Thomas Lab
Exercise Descriptions: Handouts
with lab exercises must be read before each lab. Written Assignments:Lab
activities and responses will be recorded in journals and essays.
(See handouts on journal and essay requirements.) Any changes in
lab schedule or assignments will be announced in class.
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