FLSP 3030 Spanish Conversation: The Sustainable Talk.
Fall 2015
Dr. Jorge Muñoz
Haley 6012
Email: jorge@auburn.edu 334-844-7395
Horas de oficina: Martes y Jueves 2.00-3.25 y por cita
“The components of the natural world are myriad but they constitute a single
living system. There is no escape from our interdependence with nature; we are
woven into the closest relationship with the Earth, the sea, the air, the seasons,
the animals and all the fruits of the Earth. What affects one affects all – we are
part of a greater whole – the body of the planet. We must respect, preserve, and
love its manifold expression if we hope to survive.” ~ Bernard Campbell
Course Objective and description:
This course will introduce students to the interdisciplinary study of sustainability through a
combination of lectures, readings, media presentations, discussions, and exercises, ALL
conducted at a 3000 level Spanish (oral and written). The course is specifically intended to:
 provide students with a broad-based, multi-disciplinary introduction to sustainability;
 introduce students to systems thinking, particularly as related to issues of sustainability;
 help students learn to think critically about the interconnectedness of natural,
technological, cultural and economic issues surrounding sustainability; and
 encourage students to develop an appreciation for the local, national and global issues
concerning sustainability.
Definition: Sustainability
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is an ethic to embrace, a concept to practice, and a goal to achieve.
is about recognizing and understanding relationships within and between social,
economic, and ecological systems.
embraces an abiding sense of community and shared responsibility for the common good.
means living in accord with the laws of nature, and being conservative and efficient with
earth’s renewable and nonrenewable resources.
requires thinking long-term and seeing systems: the connections and interactions between
and among all things.
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respects the commitment to live off the interest, and not the principle, of the earth’s living
systems, and eliminate the idea of waste by ensuring that all “waste” becomes food for
some other use, as happens in nature.
Empowers people in community, embraces diversity and creativity, and optimizes selfdetermination within the context of the common good.
requires treating others as we would like to be treated, making sure that the needs of all
are met, and ensuring that there is fairness, justice, and equity in sharing wealth generated
by economic activity.
Ultimately, sustainability is the intentional effort to create a world that is perpetually
healthy, vibrant, beautiful, and flourishing for all of Earth’s inhabitants.
Suggested readings:
Robertson,,Margaret. Sustainability Principles and Practice. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis,
2014.
Several articles in Spanish will be provided to further discussion of covered topics.
Attendance and Participation: Daily written assignments or quizzes may be taken up by the
professor and graded at any moment. A Participation grade will be given at the end of the
semester. This grade will be based on attendance, prompt completion of assignments, and active
participation during class.
Reports: There will be 6 report assignments. The topics for the essays will be assigned at least a
week in advance of the due date. These essays are intended to deepen the understanding of the
topics discussed up to that point in the semester.
Presentations:
1. Los estudiantes encargados deberán pasar los primeros 20 minutos de clase exponiendo
sus ideas sobre el tema elegido de forma oral.
2. Una vez terminada la introducción al tema, los estudiantes encargados deben pasar el
resto del tiempo de clase provocando la participación activa y continua de los demás
compañeros de clase. Para esto deben dividir la clase en grupos pequeños y asignarles
una lista de preguntas pertinentes al tema del día que provoquen discusión y debate. La
clase debe trabajar en grupos por unos 10-15 minutos, después de lo cual la clase se junta
otra vez para discutir las ideas que hayan surgido en sus grupos.
Final Project: In groups of 5 the students will make a short film (15-20 minutes) expanding on
any of the themes covered in class. A script must be turned in prior to getting approval to shoot
the film.
EVALUATION
Activity
Attendance & Participation
Reports
Presentations
Final Project
GRADING
SYSTEM
Percentage
25 %
20 %
20%
35%
Numerical
Letter Grade
90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
Below 60
F
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is an offense that will be reported to the Academic
Dishonesty Committee. Refer to your Tiger Cub on-line for guidelines on what constitutes
academic dishonesty and the steps that are taken when such situation occurs.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offence and carries serious consequences, including failure
and/or expulsion from the University. Please refer to the Tiger Cub handbook (available online)
for the University’s policy on plagiarism. If you are unsure about how to cite any of the
resources you will be using for work in this class, see your instructor.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students who need special accommodations
in class, as provided for by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are encouraged to see the
instructor after class or in the office, so your situation can be discussed confidentially. Exam
accommodations should be arranged at least one week in advance. If you do not have a memo
from the Office of Accessibility (formerly The Program for Students with Disabilities) which
tells the instructor about your accommodations, it is recommended that you make an
appointment to see them in 1228 Haley Center (844-2096 Voice/TDD).
Cell phones, pagers, etc.
Having cell phones, pagers, and other electronic communication devices ringing during
class is disruptive and against the Tiger Cub policy. Cell phones, pagers, etc. must be kept off
and out of sight during class time, in accordance with University policy. If you have a valid
reason for keeping your cell phone on during class (i.e., disability issues, family emergences),
please let your instructor know before class. Barring this valid reason, there will be NO CELL
PHONES allowed at all in class. Unless previously discussed with me, if you use your cell
phone or if it rings during class time, you will automatically get your final grade lowered one
letter grade (A to B, B to C, etc.).
Communicating with your instructor: The easiest and fastest way to communicate with me is
via email. You will receive an answer in no more than 24 hours after receiving your email.
Make-ups and late submission of assignments: Talk to your professor if/when you miss any
assignment so make-up arrangements can be made.
Attendance policy: The student is allowed 3 unexcused absence. For every single unexcused
absence above the afore mentioned 3, the student will lose 10 points of his/her “Attendance and
participation” grade.
Class preparation: The student is expected to have completed the appropriate readings, if any,
before the class period where those readings will be dealt with. Failing to do so will result in a
subtraction of points from the “Attendance and participation” grade.
Course Schedule
WEEK 1:
“What is sustainability?”
WEEK 2: Instructor week. Guest speaker. “We are what we eat”. Film assignment: Food Inc./
Fed-up/ Just Eat It!
WEEK 3: Student week. “We are what we eat”. Discussion. Presentation 1. Report 1.
WEEK 4: Instructor week. Guest speaker. “The Ocean”. Film assignment: Oceans
WEEK 5: Student week. “The Ocean”. Discussion. Presentation 2. Report 2.
WEEK 6: Instructor week. Guest speaker. “Recycling”. Film assignment: Plastic Planet
WEEK 7: Student week. “Recycling”. Discussion. Presentation 3. Report 3.
WEEK 8: Instructor week. Guest speaker. “Wasting technology”. Film assignment: Ghana:
Digital Dumping Ground.
WEEK 9: Student week. “Wasting technology”. Discussion. Presentation 4. Report 4.
WEEK 10: Instructor week. Guest speaker. “It’s getting hot!” Film assignment: The 11th Hour.
WEEK 11: Student week. “It’s getting hot!” Discussion. Presentation 5. Report 5.
WEEK 12: Instructor week. Guest speaker. “Hunger”. Film assignment: Lucent.
WEEK 13: Instructor week. Guest speaker. “Sustaining Alabama”.
WEEK 14: Student week. “Sustaining Alabama”. Discussion. Presentation 6. Report 6.
WEEK 15: Conclusions. Viewing of short films.
*Guest speakers only if available!!