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Wooster at 200 First-Year Seminar |
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Wooster at 200 First-Year Seminar |
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Fall Semester 2008
General: 2008 is the bicentennial year for the founding of the City of Wooster. Located within a rural county, the city has had a profound impact on the local environment and has contributed to larger-scale global environmental changes. Identifying our historic and present-day energy, water, and food sources at the College and within the surrounding community is an ideal place to begin considering our role in the environment for the next 200 years. We are truly at a local and global environmental juncture, in which major lifestyle changes may be required to mitigate our environmental impact and to assure resource and climate security. Many communities are rethinking or returning to the old ways to inform an enlightened or at least a more pragmatic approach to reducing dramatic human-caused, environmental impacts. This seminar will develop an appreciation for the natural history of Wooster and the Northeast Ohio region by focusing on the science of the earth as well as cultural relationships with the earth through observing, reading, thinking, and writing. The core of the course is discussion with a variety of readings and local field trips. The reason why you are enrolled in a First-Year Seminar, though, goes well beyond any topic. Since this is one of your first courses at the College, it is explicitly designed to introduce you to "critical thinking", especially in written and oral expression, and research techniques. We are investigating the history of ideas, how they evolve, and whether some can be resurrected or at least revisited for the environmental challenges that we face today. Revisit the College FYS website to learn more about the learning objectives of this course. This website is our syllabus. I will add to it each week to keep us updated on activities and readings. Additional readings on the Web and added here as pdfs can be found on this website.
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August 26 & 28 |
Introductions |
| Reading: all of Parts I and II in A Sand County Almanac | |
| Announcements: Opening convocation begins at 11 AM in McGaw Chapel | |
| Assignments: (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #1: Wikipeida is one of the best places to start in search of information. See the entries for Aldo Leopold along with that for Sand County Almanac. We will explore the relativey straightforward yet dense text of the Alamanac leading up to the Land Ethic. Take a look at the Aldo Leopold Foundation and see how they are not only keeping Also's legacy alive but bringing his ideas and philosophy into the 21st Century. The Writing resouces I added atthe top of the page include the online verssion of Elements of Style and the UNC writing web pages.
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September 2 & 4 |
Environment and the World Around Us |
| Reading: all of Parts III and IV in A Sand County Almanac | |
Announcements: 2 September at 7:30 is the first 2008 Wooster Forum, |
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| Assignments: (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #2: |
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September 9 & 11 |
Energy Basics |
| Reading: Parts 1 and 2 of Feeding the Fire | |
Announcements: On 9 September we will be visited by by a rep. from the Writing Center - this will be a 5 minute informational session. On 9 Sept. discussion leaders Nature’s Energy Laws On 11 Sept. discussion leaders NRG Metabolism On 10 September at 7:30 is the second 2008 Wooster Forum, 14 September (Sunday) morning local fieldtrip |
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| Assignments: First Paper Due 9 September at 9:30 AM (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #3: I will be handing out a few figures on US NRG consumption - this were found on Wikipedia. |
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September 16 & 18 |
Energy Basics |
| Reading: Feeding the Fire - Parts 3 and 4 | |
Announcements: On Tuesday 16 Sept. Discussion leaders Our Energy Past On 18 Sept. discssion leaders Present Energy Thursday (18 September) Ismael Beah, Wooster Forum, |
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| Assignments: First Paper Rewrite Due 18 Sept. at 9:30 (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #4: |
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September 23 & 25 |
Library and Coal Plant |
| Reading: Feeding the Fire Chapters 6-10 | |
| Announcements: 23 September we will be going to tour the Wooster coal plant with Lanny Whitaker. 25 September we will meet in the Timken Science Library | |
| Assignments: (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #5: |
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Sept 30 & Oct 2 |
Energy Present and Future |
| Reading: Feeding the Fire - Part 5 | |
| Announcements: On 30 Sept. discussion leaders - Energy Future Ibrahim, Chelsea and Chris |
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| Assignments: Second Essay Due 2 October at 9:30 AM (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #6: |
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October 7 & 9 |
Wiles and Drushal at Geological Sociey of America Meeting in Houston |
| Reading: | |
Announcements: 7 October at 7:30 is the final 2008 Wooster Forum, Fall break begins at 4 pm on 10 October. |
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| Assignments: (Preparation questions) | |
| Web Resources for Week #7: | |
October 16 |
Food farms and no-till |
| Reading: Handouts and Web links | |
| Announcements: 19 October (Sunday) morning local fieldtrip | |
| Assignments: (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #8: |
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October 21 & 23 |
Alternative and old ways |
| Reading: The World Without Us | |
Announcements: 21 October we will meet in the Timken Science Library |
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| Assignments: Third Essay Due 28 October at 9:30 AM (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #9: |
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October 28 & 30 |
Challenges Ahead |
| Reading: The World Without Us | |
| Announcements: | |
| Assignments: Research Paper Bibliographies Due 4 November in class at 9:30 AM (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #10: |
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November 4 & 6 |
Alternative Ways |
| Reading : Recovering the Sacred | |
| Announcements: Dr. Nick Kardulias (Archaeology) | |
| Assignments:.Research Paper Bibliographies Due 4 November in class at 9:30 AM (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #11: |
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November 11 & 13 |
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| Reading: Recovering the Sacred | |
| Announcements: | |
| Assignments: Fourth Paper Due November 13th at 9:30 in class (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #12: |
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November 18 & 20 |
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| Reading: Deep Economy | |
| Announcements: 20 November will be student presentations | |
| Assignments: (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #13: |
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November 25 |
Student Presentations |
| Reading: | |
| Announcements: Thanksgiving break begins at 4 pm on 25 Nov. | |
| Assignments: (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #14: |
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December 2 & 4 |
Student Presentations |
| Reading: | |
| Announcements: | |
| Assignments: Research Paper Due 4 December at 9:30 AM (Preparation questions) | |
Web Resources for Week #15: |
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Notes on this FYS Course Student Learning Objectives Students are expected to develop the abilities, especially the writing skills, that are essential to critical thinking. These abilities include interpreting complex texts, constructing an argument, supporting the argument with evidence, and defending the argument orally. Critical thinking also requires the ability to appreciate and critique multiple perspectives, including one’s own. Rationale The Seminar provides a special intellectual opportunity for faculty and first-year students to participate in a small, discussion-oriented, multidisciplinary course. The course introduces students to the independent thinking and academic skills that they will need in subsequent courses, including Junior and Senior Independent Study. Readings Each set of readings is to be completed before coming to class. On most class days I will give you a set of preparation questions or points from the reading to stimulate discussion. I will handout various readings in class in addition to the required texts listed below: Attendance I expect you to be present for each class meeting and other required events. If you are to be absent because of illness or some other emergency, please let me know in advance. Attendance is considered part of your class participation grade. Short papers There will be four short (2-5 pages) paper assignments. They will usually be analyses of news items, readings, websites, or particular issues which appear in class discussions. They will be due at the beginning of class on the dates listed above. Each paper may be rewritten once after it has been graded and returned. Your final grade for this paper will be an average of the first and second grades. Some papers may be distributed in class for peer reviews. Research paper This assignment is the centerpiece of your First-Year Seminar experience. You will be working on your papers through most of the semester including two sessions in the Timken Science Library. Early in the semester you will choose a topic to study with detailed library work, original research, interviews, or whatever other methods are appropriate. A complete bibliography for your topic will be due in class on 30 October so that I can see that you have enough material to write a paper. Your final document will be 15-20 pages long, with references and illustrations. Oral presentations In the last two weeks of the semester, each of you will present the results of your research project to the class. This will be fun because your topics will be diverse and provocative. Each student will choose course readings appropriate for his or her topic, along with links to webpages posted on this syllabus. Class participation First-Year Seminar emphasizes critical thinking through oral and written expression. You are expected to participate in class each day. Your participation grade will not depend on the quantity of your contributions to the conversations, but rather on their quality (creativity, insight, knowledge, and courtesy). Preparation questions I will distribute a a page of questions before each class meeting to help direct your reading and stimulate discussions of the essential issues. Please provide written answers to each question before the class meets. I will occasionally collect these papers and evaluate them as part of your grade. Webpage This webpage is a critical part of the course. It will be updated every week with links and other information for our specific topics. I hope that you can contribute by giving me ideas for this page. This document will grow throughout the course. Note If you are a student with a documented learning disability in this course, please register
Quizzes -- I know that this is a seminar course, however I reserve the right to give you an occasional quiz. I will also ocassionally collect preparation questions that should be completed before the start of each class.
Required Books Aldo Leopold - Sand County Almanac, ISBN 1: 0345345053: Ballantine Books Alan Weisman's - The World Without Us, ISBN 2: 0312347294: Thomas Dunne Books Winona LaDuke - Recovering the Sacred: The Power of Naming and Claiming, ISBN 3: 0896087123: South End Press Mark Eberhart - Feeding the Fire: The Lost History and Uncertain Future of Mankind's Energy Addiction, ISBN 4: 0307237443: Harmony Bill McKibben - Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, ISBN-13:978-0-8050-8722-2: Holt. Teaching Apprentice Ali Drushal (jdrushal09@wooster.edu), a senior Geology major, will serve as our teaching apprentice. Ali will have office hours on Mondays from 8 - 10 pm at Mom's and by appointment. In addition, Christie Bing Kracker the Associate Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life will be surving as a part of the College's Mentor program and will be contributing to discussions as will be serving as a resource outside of the classroom as the need arises. Schedule Conflicts The faculty of the College has recently approved a new policy regarding conflicts between extracurricular and academic events. I agree with it and will simply provide the suggested syllabus statement: "The College of Wooster is an academic institution and its fundamental purpose is to stimulate its students to reach the highest standard of intellectual achievement. As an academic institution with this purpose, the College expects students to give the highest priority to their academic responsibilities. When conflicts arise between academic commitments and complementary programs (including athletic, cultural, educational, and volunteer activities), students, faculty, staff, and administrators all share the responsibility of minimizing and resolving them. As a student you have the responsibility to inform the faculty member of potential conflicts as soon as you are aware of them, and to discuss and work with the faculty member to identify alternative ways to fulfill your academic commitments without sacrificing the academic integrity and rigor of the course."
I have a weekly appointment schedule posted on my office door (Scovel 119). Please sign up for an appointment if you have any questions about the course format or material.
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