Spring Quarter 2004 - MW 9:30-12:20; TTh 9:30-11:20
Room R106A
| Instructors | ||
| Wendy Pickering | Office: D207 | wpickeri@bcc.ctc.edu |
| Office Hours: M-Th 12:30-1:20 pm, & by appointment (Also available for questions by e-mail) | Phone: 425.564-3143 | |
| Rob Viens | Office: L200A | rviens@bcc.ctc.edu |
| Office Hours: M-Th 8:30-9:20 & by appointment (Also available for questions by e-mail) | Phone: 425.564-3158 | Fax: 425.564-4125 |
This is an interdisciplinary class. One of the goals of an IDS class is to dissolve traditional barriers between disciplines as we investigate a common theme. Another barrier we seek to dissolve is one that separates teachers and students. In an IDS class, we are all teachers and we are all students. Working collaboratively with other students and the instructors, you will work to keep what works working and to solve any problems that may come up. Another characteristic of an IDS course is that you are primarily responsible for your own education although we will all do what we can to help. Should you find that something is interfering with your ability to get the most out of this class, it is up to you to address this problem with your seminar group or the class as a whole. From that point on, all concerned parties will work together to resolve the problem.
Please understand that this is not a "Warm Body" class - one of those classes for which you simply show up, take an occasional note or nap and leave. Expect to be challenged, to contribute regularly, and to labor hard to develop your understanding of the material. As with most courses, we’ll be trying to do too much in too little time, so we’ll need to divide the workload evenly, with every student responsible for more than simply his or her own success or failure. You will spend a majority of your class time doing “hands-on” activities and group work, both seeking and giving assistance.
Interdisciplinary courses are wonderful opportunities for students to view material from different perspectives and in a much more interactive environment than the traditional classroom. Take advantage of the opportunities and we think you’ll find it to be a fun way to learn!
" In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught."- Baba Dioum
Schedule: A detailed schedule of topics, readings, and due dates can be found on the class web site(see calendar and readings). This site will be updated frequently, so be sure to check it regularly. Each student should keep his or her own planning calendar and keep track of assignment deadlines and other important dates on that calendar. Below is a basic outline off the major topics covered in this course.
|
Week 1 |
Introduction of course |
|
Weeks 2-5 |
Biodiversity: The Web of Life |
|
Weeks 6-8 |
Water: The Essence of Life
|
|
Weeks 9-10 |
Consumption: The Obsessions of Life |
|
Week 11 |
Conclusions and Wrap Up |
Other dates to remember: April 9
is the 10th day of the quarter. May 14 is the last day to withdraw.
April 23 and May 31 are holiday's - no classes scheduled.
A Typical Week: Each class session is 2 to 3 hours long,
and it is unlikely we will cover just one concept or use just one approach for
the entire session. However, in general, Mondays and Wednesdays will primarily
be lecture days interspersed with writing workshops. Any field trip work
will be schedule for Mondays or Wednesdays, if at all possible. Tuesday’s
focus will be on lecture and seminars/discussions and Thursdays will be a mixed-bag
of events, set aside for exams, review, exercises and/or seminars/discussions.
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|
Lecture |
Lecture |
Lecture |
Exams |
Grades: The grade you receive for the course will be based on an assessment of your performance during this quarter on required assessments. You should be assessing your own performance throughout the quarter and determining the “best” allocation of your time and effort.
You will be assigned 2 separate grades for this class - one for English and one for Environmental Science. Your English grade will be based primarily on an assessment of your writing skills, and your Environmental Science grade will be based on your understanding of the science behind environmental issues. Some assignments will count for both of those grades, while others will be specific to one or the other.
Your English grade will be determined by your performance on the following:
Your Environmental Science grade will be determined by your performance on the following:
Late Assignments: All assignments are due in class on the specified date. On days when drafts are discussed, either in groups or as a class, those without drafts will be excused from completing the work and given an absence for the session. On days when essays and outlines are due, we expect them in class but will accept them in person at Wendy’s office until 3:30 pm on the day they are due. We will not accept anything after that time unless specific arrangements are made before the class in which it is due. Such an arrangement will be permitted only one time.
Attendance and Participation: In keeping with English Department standards, to receive full credit for English component of the class, you must attend class daily and on time, have with you all written work and text books on days you may need them, have all completed drafts in hand for peer critique sessions, participate actively in class discussions by offering insightful, thought-provoking and relevant comments that advance and develop the discussion. Over ten absences can be grounds for failing the class. Attendance will contribute to the participation part of your Environmental Science grade as well.
In addition, students are reminded that this class is designed to assist them in learning but the primary responsibility depends on the student accessing and using the multitude of resources available. Because we will be working in learning community and engaging each other in discussion, it is important to remember basic etiquette. Etiquette is primarily to facilitate keeping our interactions with others harmonious. In this class, it translates into basic respect for others who wish to learn. Cell phones, talking in class and recurring late arrivals are distracting to other students and the instructor and will not be tolerated during class time and can result in reduced credit. This is a discussion-oriented class, therefore interaction, questions, and discussions are encouraged and expected.
Tardiness: Our class begins at 9:30. Because, quite often, the first five to ten minutes of class are crucial to work that follows and because groups need your prompt attendance to function properly, let’s begin class on time with all members present. Consistent tardiness can affect your grade.
" One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” – William Shakespeare
Science Quizzes: There will be 4 quizzes during the quarter worth 10% each. Quizzes will be on the material covered in class and the readings since the previous quiz (i.e, they are not cumulative). There are no makeup quizzes so please note the dates. Calculators are allowed for all homework assignments and quizzes (not required). Dictionaries are allowed for non-native English speakers for science quizzes.
English Portfolio (75% of Final English Grade): In brief, your portfolio grade is based upon the quality of the final drafts of three self-selected papers, the degree to which they have been revised a self-evaluation, and the overall appearance and presentation of the portfolio itself. Details about the portfolio and the criteria used to grade them will be explained in a separate handout.
Note: You should know that the portfolio process allows you to revise your writing as often as you see fit before that work receives a grade. You will receive a mock grade on your papers, which I will then review with you during a conference designed to give you an idea of your class standing. Circumstances permitting, I am available to review and comment on revised drafts, but I will not grade the work until it has been included in the portfolio and the portfolio turned in for grading at the end of the quarter. I'll review no more than one revised draft per student at a time. The final day to submit a paper for my comments will be Thursday, May 20th.
Plagiarism: In Western academia, plagiarism
is a major offense. It amounts to the theft of intellectual property.
If you use another’s words or ideas and represent them as your own, you
are plagiarizing. If you get help with your writing to such a degree that
it, in any part, is no longer your own, you are plagiarizing. Plagiarism
is grounds for failing the course and possibly dismissal from school.
Also be advised that BCC contracts with a plagiarism software company.
Should I receive any work that I suspect to be plagiarized, I will submit it
for investigation, and you will receive no credit for that assignment.
For suggestions on how to avoid these dire consequences, consult the BCC Writing
Lab website (www.bcc.ctc.edu/writinglab).
Also, read the entire section on “Academic Honesty” in the Arts
and Humanities Division Student Procedures and Expectations on the web at www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp.
Saving Your Work: Be sure to duplicate your work from your hard drive to a zip drive/zip disk/CD or any other disk copies as backup. Keep all of your written work in a folder and consider making duplicate copies as verification of all your work. Also, please do not email your work to me unless we make a separate arrangement.
Disabilities: If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please inform us as soon as possible and make an appointment with the Director of Disability Support Services, 425-564-2498, or in person at the DSS office in B 132.
Extra Credit, Make-ups, Incompletes: Opportunities for one or two extra credit assignments will be offered during the quarter. We do not allow any other type of extra credit, make-ups, or incompletes.
Arts and Humanities Policy: All Arts and Humanities Division policies apply to this class. To view this policy, please refer to the Arts and Humanities website address: www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp
This class is not intended to be simply a review of the above books. We will use the books as a basis for our investigation into the basic concepts of ecology and economics and apply them to local issues. As well as the material from the texts, we will draw the instructors’ experiences, current examples integrated in case studies, handouts, web sites, guest lectures, and information provided by students.
Reading assignments will be posted on the class web site, and announced in class. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE READ THE ASSIGNED READINGS PRIOR TO LECTURE. This is essential in order for the class to have informed discussions. Note: This class involves a lot of reading - please take care not to fall behind.
The instructors’ office hours are listed on the first page of the syllabus. Wendy is generally on campus daily until 3:30 pm and Rob is generally available after 2:30 pm. We are both willing to meet at other times as arranged. Students should make appointments if possible; however, a student may drop by and see if it is convenient for either of us to meet as well. Students are encouraged to meet in us in our offices to discuss procedural questions, material in the reading assignments, points raised in class and his or her individual performance. Students who do not wish to make an office visit may also email us questions or concerns. In addition, the best way to set up an appointment is by an email message.
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Thursday, March 25, 2004