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SCI 410E/MAAS610: The course SCI410E, Science and Environment (3 credits), can also be taken with a one credit lab, SCI411E, for those students whose major field of study requires a science lab. You must register for both SCI410E and SCI411E if you are taking the lab. If you are unsure if you need science lab credit, please contact your advisor.
Introduces the scientific basis of environmental problems in their ethical context. Develops student ability to critically analyze data, apply concepts of sustainability, and propose integrative environmental solutions. (3 Credits)
None
Upon completion of this course, learners in SCI 410E should be able to:
Upon completion of this course, learners in MAAS 610 should be able to do the above and:
Tuchman. N., & Schuck, M. (2016, continuously revised.) Healing Earth. International Jesuit Ecology Project. – Free Online
Learners enrolled in SCI 411E (the lab) also have additional required materials and should see the SCI 411E website for those.
Learners are required to research information using the resources available through the Regis Library. In particular, learners will use the Environmental Science “libguide” research page. The Regis Library has an overview page of APA citation format that can be useful for this course as well. The Jesuit University system provides 24 hour research support, see the link on the site.
The Regis University Learning Commons provides information on Writing that can assist with writing for this course including online writing consultation appointments.
Learners also may access the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for information about composition strategies, grammar and punctuation rules, and APA formatting and citation styles. While the OWL is free to access as a reference source, please note the Fair Use Policy regarding restrictions for using the OWL.
Readings are a primary source of content that guide the structure of this course. The readings are centered on the Healing Earth online textbook with a couple additional supplemental readings. The text is written from a Jesuit perspective. If you'd like more information on this perspective see the Key Jesuit Values webpage on the Regis site. Learners should complete the readings by Wednesday of the week for which they are assigned.
Short videos supplement the other content. Learners should watch the readings by Wednesday of the week for which they are assigned.
Course lectures are short, narrated and animated slide presentations that focus learners on the most important content from the other course resources, and in some cases provide additional information. Watching the lectures is optional, but it is recommended because they are the primary source of information for the weekly quizzes. They also are provided in static printable format (PDF) for consideration, review, and/or note-taking. Learners should watch and/or review the printed notes by Wednesday of each week to prepare from the weekly quiz.
These timed, open-note, open-book assessments have learners compile, synthesize, and develop familiarity with course content. They focus on content from readings, video presentations, and course lectures, with an emphasis on the latter. They cover material since the beginning of the course but emphasize the week’s material. Learners may take each quiz up to three times with the grade the highest of the attempts. Quizzes are due by the end of the day Wednesday.
These postings help learners synthesize materials via focused discussion with other learners. Most, but not all, of these will focus on the weekly four-step Healing Earth method assignments critically analyzing an environmental issue. Each week, your facilitator will post one or more questions for you and your colleagues to discuss. You will read and respond to these weekly posted questions in the course Discussion Forum. Initial postings are due by the end of the day on Thursdays with responses due by the end of the day on Sunday.
These assignments include four-step Healing Earth assignments, sustainability assignments, and course project paper assignments. Written assignments are at due the end of the week by the end of the day on Sunday.
This timed, open-note, open-book assessment has learners compile, synthesize, and demonstrate familiarity with course content from the full semester. It will operate like a larger format weekly quiz and will also include a timed written response to a broad question. Learners may take the multiple-choice component of the final examination up to three times with the grade the highest of the attempts and may take the written question component only once. Quizzes are due by the end of the day on Sunday of Week 7.
Week |
Textbook Readings |
Graded Assignments and Points |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 1: Introduction to Science and the Environment |
Readings:
Videos:
Lectures:
|
Introduction Discussion Posting (required, ungraded) Tues. Weekly Quiz (30 points) Weds. Discussion/Participation (30 points) Thurs., responses Sun. |
|
Week 2: Biodiversity |
Readings:
Videos:
Lectures:
|
Weekly Quiz (30 points) Weds. Discussion/Participation (30 points) Thurs., responses Sun. Healing Earth Method Assignment (30 points) Sun. Initial Project Assignment (20 points) Sun. |
|
Week 3: Natural Resources |
Readings:
Videos:
Lectures:
|
Weekly Quiz (30 points) Weds. Discussion/Participation (30 points) Thurs., responses Sun. Healing Earth Method Assignment (30 points) Sun. Project Outline Assignment (60 points) Sun. |
|
Week 4: Energy |
Readings:
Lectures:
|
Weekly Quiz (30 points) Weds. Discussion/Participation (30 points) Thurs., responses Sun. Healing Earth Method Assignment (30 points) Sun. Personal Environmental Sustainability Assignment 1 (40 points) Sun. Extra credit assignment: Mid-course Survey (10 bonus points) Sun. |
|
Week 5: Water & Food |
Readings:
Videos:
Lectures:
|
Weekly Quiz (30 points) Weds. Discussion/Participation (30 points) Thurs., responses Sun. Complete Project Paper Draft (60 points) Sun. |
|
Week 6: Global Climate Change |
Readings:
Videos:
Lectures:
|
Weekly Quiz (30 points) Weds. Discussion/Participation (30 points) Thurs., responses Sun. Healing Earth Method Assignment (30 points) Sun. Personal Environmental Sustainability Assignment 2 (40 points) Sun. |
|
Week 7: How Ought We to Live? |
Readings:
Videos:
|
Discussion/Participation (30 points) Thurs., responses Sun. Final Examination (130 points) Sun. Final Project Paper (140 points) Sun. Extra credit assignment: Course Evaluation (10 bonus points) Sat. |
|
Total points |
1000 points (100%) |
|
NOTE TO LEARNERS: On occasion, the course faculty may, at his or her discretion, alter the Learning Activities shown in this Syllabus. The alteration of Learning Activities may not, in any way, change the Learner Outcomes or the grading scale for this course as contained in this syllabus. Examples of circumstances that could justify alterations in Learning Activities could include number of learners in the course; compelling current events; special faculty experience or expertise; or unanticipated disruptions to class session schedule.