St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 3
Natural & Physical Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Jorge. E. Arriagada
Phone: 308-3456
Email: jearriagada@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Biology
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: Biological Sciences; Biol. 106 (Cultural Botany)
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Contributions of African, Latin American, Asian, and American Indian cultures to agriculture and the
uses of plants/plant products in the US. Food, fibers, and medicinal plants used by American Indians.
Contributions of women and people of color to plant issues.
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
This course is designed for General Education only.
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
Not applicable
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
12/11/2009
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
13.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences
Explore scientific knowledge of the natural world. Understand the central concepts and principles of
science; experience the process of scientific inquiry; comprehend science as a human endeavor and
understand the impact of science on individuals and on society.
The course includes the basic concepts and principles of science and the use of the scientific method, and
provides several examples of the process of scientific inquiry. Several units help the students in the
understanding the impact of science in the life of individuals and societies.
14. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 3, it must address at least 5 of the 6 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
2. Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific investigations.
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify further questions for investigation.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science, mathematics, and
technology.
5. Recognize the human nature of the scientific enterprise, including the importance of curiosity, creativity, and
imagination; the dual nature of scientific knowledge as changeable and durable; and the impact of a scientist's
personal identity on the scientific process.
6. Evaluate societal issues from a science perspective, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgments about these issues.
15.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1. This course includes units specifically designed to introduced students to the process of science, its
scope and limitations. The students are given questionnaires designed to demonstrate understanding of science.
2. & 3. Students will be provided with specific questions that require literature review. Students will
collect data and submit a research assignment (lab-like).
4. Students will demonstrate the interdependency of basic and applied science, maths, and its
applications.
5 & 6. Students will answer questionnaires about research and contributions to plant science done by
different ethnic groups including African American, Asian, Latinos, Native American and women.
16.
Courses satisfying Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences must have either a “traditional lab course or a lab-like
experience”. Check which of these apply and supply a brief explanation of how the course is either a laboratory
course or incorporates a “lab-like experience”.
Course includes:
Laboratory
Lab-like experience
12/11/2009
The following quote from a National Research Council subcommittee report may help to identify a course with a
laboratory. ”Laboratory experiences provide opportunities for students to interact directly with the material world
(or with data drawn from the material world), using the tools, data collection techniques, models, and theories of
science.” America's Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science (Free Executive Summary)
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11311.html
17.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
16. Lab-like experience:Students will visit different supermarkets to collect data about plants, plant
products, ethnic food, medicinal products, and others. Data will be use to prepare a research report.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Plants and Society: The Botanical connection To Our Lives (10%)
[SLOs 1, 4, 5]
Introduction to Plant Life: Botanical Principles (15%) [SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
Plant life: flowers, fruits, and seeds (8%); Genetics; Diversity of plant life (7%)
Plant as a Source of Food (15%) [SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Human Nutrition; Society and their diets; Origins of Agriculture (5%)
Plant domestication; Grasses, legumes, starchy staples (5%)
Feeding a hungry world, sustainable agriculture; Alternative crops (5%)
Commercial Products Derived from Plants (15%) [SLOs 1, 4, 5, 6]
Sugar and slavery; Stimulating beverages (5%)
Herbs and spices; New world discoveries (5%)
Materials: cloth, wood and paper (5%)
Plants and Human Health (15%) [SLOs 1, 4, 5, 6]
Medicinal Plants; Native American medicine (5%)
Psychoactive plants, history and uses; Poisonous and allergy plants (10%)
The Impact of Algae and Fungi on Human Affairs (10%) [SLOs 1, 4, 5, 6]
Economic uses of algae; Fungi, ecological role, major impacts on humans (5%)
Fungi that affect human health (5%)
Plants and the Environment (10%)
[SLOs 1, 4, 5, 6]
Plant ecology; greenhouse effect; global warming; crops from the desert (10%)
Contributions of women and people of color to the history and development of the plant and agricultural sciences
(this information is embedded throughout the course (10%)
[SLOs 3, 4, 5, 6]
12/11/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department:
Course or Course(s):
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date