SSCI 250: Ecology and Society
Spring 2010, Kaua‘i Community College
Class Schedule:
Instructor: Dr. Nan Marie Greer
Office: SSCI – 105
Office Hours: Tuesday 12:30-1:30
Wednesday 9-10
-other times by mutually agreed upon appointment
Email: nangreer@hawaii.edu
Phone: 808-635-1501
Class Credit Hours: 3.0
Pre-requisite: Qualified for ENG 100
Course Description
This course is an introduction to human/environment interactions from the perspectives of anthropology, sociology, and political economy as people and societies live within the limits presented by the reality of basic laws of science. The mutual inter-connectedness of people and nature will be emphasized.
Intended Student Learning Outcomes
1) Understand concepts of nature.
2) Learn basic theories of analyzing ecological and human sustainability.
3) Develop an understanding and respect for various forms of environmental science and management.
4) Recognize current issues, dialogues and politics related to society's interaction with the enironment.
5) Improve critical thinking skills, and knowledge and use of scientific methods (research questions, variables, hypotheses, research instruments, sampling, etc.).
These outcomes will be demonstrated through class participation, discussion papers, a research presentation, and exams.
Required Text
Miller, G. Tyler Jr. (2007) Essentials of Ecology Fifth Edition
Available at the College Bookstore (245-8273) online: http://www.bookstore.hawaii.edu
Additional Required Readings available at:
http://ngreer.com/SSCI250ExtraReadings.aspx
Course Requirements and Evaluation
Participation and Attendance: Students are expected to be actively engaged in class; coming to class prepared, paying attention and contributing to discussions. Your grade depends in part on the quality of your involvement in class, which includes regular attendance in class, the ability to discuss concepts during the lectures - evidence you are keeping up with the reading. Participation will be worth 100 points (20%) of your total grade. Beyond three lecture absences, and points will be deducted from your final grade.
Readings: Students are expected to have read the assigned readings before coming to class on Tuesdays, and should be prepared to discuss the readings in class.
Discussion Papers: Students are expected to write 10 short discussion papers both summarizing (or comparing) the readings and providing at least 2 questions or discussion points relating to the reading. Each discussion paper should be between 150 and 200 words –with a 12 point font size. (This is ONLY one page.) Discussion papers must be submitted online via laulima at the beginning of class on Mondays, according to the class schedule. Late papers cannot be entered into the system, will not be graded and will receive 0 points. Each discussion paper is worth 10 points, for a total of 100 points (20% of your grade). If students have difficulty in writing papers, they may be emailed to the professor at least two days before class on Mondays, to get some editing help from the professor (one can also go to the learning center for help).
Research Presentation: There will be one research presentation. The research presentation will be broken into three parts: the Prospectus (worth 10 points), the Outline (worth 15 points), and the Final Oral Presentation (worth 75 points). The presentation itself will be 15-30 minutes. Work that does not meet college-level standards will be ungraded. If you fail your presentation, you will be required to submit an essay review of your presentation in order to receive a grade (10 page minimum). The research presentation overall is worth 100 points (20% of the course grade).
Films: Films are an important part of this course, as they provide links to weekly topics in a rich medium of sights and sounds. Films are considered as texts and will be drawn upon for exams – this means that students are expected to take notes on the films and discussions about the films.
Exams: The mid-term and final exam will each be worth 100 points (each being 20% of your final grade). Both exams will be in essay format and are due on the date presented in the syllabus. They will test your knowledge of concepts, terminology, class discussions, and other important points in readings, and lectures.
Grading
Kaua‘i Community College grading policies, also found in the 2006-2007 Catalogue, are as follows:
Grade GPA points
A Excellent Achievement 4.0
B Above Average Achievement 3.0
C Average Achievement 2.0
D Minimal Passing Achievement 1.0
F Failure 0
I Incomplete 0
W Withdrawal 0
N No Grade Assigned 0
Incomplete: A grade of incomplete indicates that the quality of work was satisfactory, but an essential requirement of the course has not been completed. An Incomplete must be made up within the first 12 weeks of the following semester or the grade will be converted to the grade indicated by the instructor at the time the “I” was awarded.
No Grade Assigned: No grade assigned indicates that the student has either not completed the requirements of the course or has not reached a level of accomplishment within a specified time period which will allow for an evaluation.
Grades are based on cumulative points and not on a curve (see below for grade scale). Points are distributed according to the following assignments:
Participation 100 points
Discussion Papers 100 points
Resesarch Presentation 100 points
Midterm Exam 100 points
Final Exam 100 points
TOTAL 500 points
Grading Scale
500 – 451 points A
450 – 401 points B
400 – 351 points C
350 – 301 points D
300 points or fewer F
Other Important Dates
Jan. 15 Last day to register
Jan. 15 Last day to receive 100% refund for Withdraw
Feb. 1 Last day to receive 50% refund
Mar. 22 Last day to withdraw ("w" on transcript)
Library
The Library is an excellent source for anthropological information!!! Library hours during the Fall Semester are Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For further information call the Circulation Desk at 245-8322, and/or the Reference Desk at 245-8253.
Learning Center
The Learning Center is a place where students can obtain tutoring and instruction on various subjects. The Writing Lab, located in the Learning Center, helps students to refine and master college writing skills. Tutors help students with all phases of writing, such as: brainstorming, pre-writing, outlining, writing effective statements, organizing papers, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading. Please visit the Writing Lab early for assistance on writing assignments (not 2 days before the assignment is due).
Disabilities
If you need special accommodation because of a disability or other issue, please see Dr. Greer. Additional information is available from the Disability Services Counselor at the Campus Center, Room 206; Telephone: 245-8314.
Communication with the Instructor
When communicating with the instructor via email, please start the subject line with
SSCI 250....
The professor is also available during office hours in her "vroom" or virtual room, in addition to on skype (see dr.nan.marie.greer)
Classroom Courtesy
We are all responsible for creating a friendly, relaxed, and productive classroom atmosphere. That requires listening respectfully to everyone, phrasing comments constructively and politely, turning off cell phones, coming to class on time, and refraining from distractive behavior. *** How well you practice these common courtesies will be reflected in the participation portion of your grade***
Academic Honesty
The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter. Students caught cheating on exams, papers, or other assignments, including plagiarism, will be considered in violation of Kaua‘i Community College’s Policies and Procedures. They will receive a grade of zero on the assignment and the incident will be reported in conformance with university policy.
Plagiarism is defined as using any text or phrase taken from another source, including the internet, that is NOT in quotes, with the original work cited.
In the interest of effective learning, this syllabus is subject to change.
Please let me know if you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer them.