Core Course Review Documentation
Foundational Component Area: LIFE & PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Component Area Option? No
Proposed Course: ENVS 1114
Credit Hours: 4
Proposed by: Geosciences Program
Date: 11/12/2012
Please document how the proposed course meets each of the following requirements. (You
may provide a written explanation or copy and paste the appropriate information from the
syllabus.)
Content:
Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural
phenomena using the scientific method.
Foundations of Environmental Science covers the Earth as a system including the biosphere,
the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and the cryosphere. Connections among and ongoing
changes in these systems are analyzed, with respect to impacts on both the natural world
and on humans. Content is addressed through lectures, readings, and hands-on laboratory
activities including field work.
SKILLS: Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the
implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on human experiences.
. Students will be able to
 Explain environmental change in terms of continuous natural processes as well
as growing human impacts
 Observe and report on the environment scientifically, using established methods
and protocols to ensure accuracy
 Relate changes in environmental variables in one part of the Earth System to
impacts on other systems
 Recognize real, discrete environmental issues and identify sustainable solutions
 Reflect on how your analysis of, assumptions about, and perspectives on
environmental issues have changed over the period of this course, and how the
activities in this course have facilitated this change
ASSESSMENT OF CORE OBJECTIVES: Assessments should be authentic, intentional and
direct. The following four Core Objectives must be addressed in each course approved to fulfill this
category requirement:
Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation
and synthesis of information
Critical thinking skills are developed through course readings, lectures, documentary films,
and group projects, and a journaling activity
There are two separate activities that will assess critical thinking in this course. One is an
Environmental Focus Project (attached) in which students will select an issue of
environmental interest and the human behaviors that negatively or positively affect it.
Students will present this information to the class, and will identify and promote
alternative behaviors that would reduce the negative effects (or enhance the positive
effects) of the issue.
Additionally, a Journal Project (attached) will be used to assess critical thinking skills.
Students will keep a journal where they will answer questions on natural or anthropogenic
events or issues related to the environment. They will describe the impact of the event on
the Earth’s many systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, etc.) and evaluate the science in the
references that they choose to aid their journal entries. A final two-paragraph selfassessment addressing how this assignment has altered their view will be included.
Both projects will assessed using a shortened version (attached with both projects above)
of the AACU Rubric for Critical Thinking Skills. Three rows of the rubric will be utilized
(Explanation of issues, Evidence, and Conclusions/Outcomes), and students will be
expected to exceed the benchmark (level 0) of the rubric.
Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral, and visual communication
Oral communication and Written communication skills are developed through preparation
of presentations and journal entries concerning environmental issues chosen by students.
The Environmental Focus Project (attached) mentioned above will also be used to assess
oral communication skills. Students will present information on environmental issues to
the class, utilizing PowerPoint. Oral Communication skills will be assessed using a
shortened version (attached) of the AACU Rubric for Oral Communication skills. Three
rows of the rubric will be utilized (Organization, Supporting Materials, and Central
Message), and students will be expected to exceed the benchmark (level 0) of the rubric.
Written communication skills are developed through the previously mentioned journaling
activity (attached). Two rows of the AACU rubric for Written Communication Skills will be
utilized (Context and Purpose, and Disciplinary Conventions), and students will be
expected to exceed the benchmark (level 0) of the rubric.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or
observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
Empirical analytical skills and quantitative skills are developed through assigned readings,
documentary films, and laboratory activities.
The specific assignment used to assess Empirical and Quantitative Skills in this course is an
exercise on Random Sampling of Data (attached). Students will learn that one way to
estimate the size of a population is to collect data by taking random samples. A series of
questions allows students to analyze the concepts of the activity. Two rows of the AACU
rubric for Quantitative Literacy will be utilized (Calculation and Application/Analysis), and
students will be expected to exceed the benchmark (level 0) of the rubric.
Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with
others to support a shared purpose or goal
Teamwork skills are developed through group projects in class and in laboratory.
The Environmental Focus Project (attached) mentioned above will also be used to assess
teamwork skills. Students will form teams to research and present information on
environmental issues. Teamwork skills will be assessed using a shortened version
(attached) of the AACU Rubric for Teamwork. Two rows of the rubric will be utilized
(Contributes to Team Meetings and Individual Contribution Outside of Team Meetings),
and students will be expected to exceed the benchmark (level 0) of the rubric.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Provide any additional information supporting course
inclusion in the core (optional).
PLEASE ATTACH THE FOLLOWING
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Syllabus
Assessment for Critical Thinking Skills, Oral Communication Skills, and Teamwork
Assessment for Written Communication Skills and Critical thinking Skills
Assessment for Empirical & Quantitative Skills