| DISCUSSION SECTION GOALS The section provides a platform for discussing topics in greater depth and for sharing ideas regarding the issues facing our planet. In keeping with the course objectives, sections will work towards broadening awareness while collectively providing tools for analysis and action. We will discuss weekly readings and engage in student-led discussions on topics ranging from economics and sustainability to government policies and global change. We will also focus on what the issues mean to each of you, personally, and how it is possible for individuals to implement changes that make our culture more sustainable. To this end, students will undertake a semester project. This project can be in almost any field, and use any combination of methodology and media that you deem effective, so long as you are engaging in positive action. The main objective in all of this is PARTICIPATION. By talking, thinking, reading, and sharing we can draw on the experience and creativity of everyone to reach comprehensive solutions and to engender change in our own lives. |
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Classroom discussions are an important way of exploring and understanding the course topics. In order to pass, you need to attend and participate in the weekly discussion sections, as well as help lead two of the discussion sessions.
Expectations for classroom discussions:
ASSIGNMENTS
In addition to reading lecture related journal articles and book sections, we will have several short assignments throughout the semester designed to provide a toolbox to increase awareness, analysis and action regarding the global problems we collectively face. These may include topics such as conducting literature searches, data analysis, lifestyle and footprint analysis, researching a target audience of choice and subsequently writing for that audience, and implementing a positive change toward sustainability in your environment.
WEEKLY DISCUSSION TOPICS
The following are examples of the topics we will focus on each week. These topics are the same as those discussed in lecture the previous week. The readings for these topics are the lecture readings, supplemented occasionally by a chapter from the course text (SP, for State of the Planet) and whatever short additional reading the discussion leaders send out.
WEEK
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 |
DATE
Jan 30
Feb 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Mar 6 Mar 13 Mar 27 Apr 3 Apr 10 Apr 17 Apr 24 May 1 |
TOPIC
Introduction
Food resources Water scarcity Economics and Energy 1 Economics and Energy 2 Activism, Ethics and Philosophy The Esthetics of Nature Managing Nature Climate Change Government and Law Local Activism Sustainability and Conservation Sustainability Presentations |
ADDITIONAL READINGS SP pp. 5 25 TBA SP pp. 59 68 TBA TBA TBA SP pp. 22 28 SP pp. 167 171 SP pp. 88-98 and 172 182 SP pp. 183 193 SP pp. 142 148 SP pp. 161 165 TBA |
GRADING
This is an S/U course, meaning that no letter grades will be given. The purpose of this is to take the focus off the grade and put it primarily on the material being covered and your experience as a participant. The topics being discussed are of great importance and we want you to be fully engaged. Receiving an ‘S’ requires 3 things:1) Attendance attendance to lectures and weekly sections (full attendance means arriving on time)
2) Participation contributing to and occasionally leading weekly discussion sections3) Adequate completion of assignments.
Discussion section times:
1. Monday 2:30 - 3:20 PM, 103 Kennedy Hall