St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 10 Designation
Environmental Issues
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date: ______________________
Effective Date: ______________________
1.
Prepared by: Chuck Rose
Phone:
8-3129
Proposal Number: _________________
Email: clrose@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Environmental and Technological Studies Dept.
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: ETS 260: Introduction to Environmental Studies
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.
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
Past, present and future human environments. Environmental concerns. 3 Cr. F, S, Su.
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.
General Education as well as majors in Environmentall and Technological Studies Dept.
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
The ETS department may offer more and larger sections of this class to fulfill increased student demand,
adjusting our other course offerings where appropriate. Additional faculty may be needed.
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.
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
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.
10/15/2009
12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 10: Environmental Issues
Examine the interrelationship of humans and the natural worlds from scientific and socio-cultural
perspectives and the complex environmental challenges that result.
The course focuses on a broad array of environmental issues while stimulating the students thinking on problems
and solutions to contemporary and future problems.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 10, it must address at least 4 of the 5 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Explain the basic structure and function of various ecosystems and human adaptive strategies within those
systems.
2. Discern patterns of interrelationships of bio-physical and socio-cultural systems.
3. Describe the human institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, and religious) that deal with
environmental and natural resource challenges.
4. Analyze environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships,
ecosystems, and institutions.
5. Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems including issues involving sustainability.
14.
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.)
The outline shows where the content of each SLO is covered in the course. Listed below are typical
indicators of student performance for each SLO.
1.
Students will compare and contrast the nitrogen cycle under natural and agricultural
systems (socio-cultural adaptation) in order to demonstrate their understanding of basic ecology.
2.
Students will explain lake eutrophication and give examples of natural and human causes.
3.
Students will describe the responsibilities in Minnesota of local, state, and national government
agencies that deal with natural resources management.
4.
Students will explain biodiversity and its importance as well as reflecting on who “owns” the
biodiversity of a country and give examples of laws in different countries about this issue.
5.
Students will evaluate their “carbon footprint” in comparison to others in contrasting parts of the
world.
In addition to tests, discussion, and other experiences, a major assignment for each student will be to
complete a survey of their personal environmental impact including (but not limited to)
their CO2 emissions. This consists of calculating personal environmental contributions and summarizing
the results in a report. The report also includes way of making their environmental impact more
sustainable.
10/15/2009
15.
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.
I. Introduction (4%)
Course Overview, Topic Introduction
II. Natural Ecology (30%) SLO # 1, 2, 4
A. Ecosphere/Biosphere (6%)
B. Organisms/Ecosystems (6%)
C. Biogeochemical Cycles (6%)
D. Populations Dynamics (6%)
E. Communities (6%)
III. Anthropogenic Influences (33%) SLO # 1, 3, 4
A. Humans and Technology, Resource Use (11%)
B. Population Growth (11%)
D. Environmental Perturbations (11%)
IV. Achieving Sustainability (33%) SLO # 1, 3, 5
A. Sustainable Development (8%)
B. Political Contributions (8%)
C. Technological Contributions (7%)
D. Social/Personal Contributions (10%)
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date: _______________________
Proposal Number_______________
10/15/2009
Effective Date: _______________________
Department:
Course or Course(s): ETS 260 Introduction to Environmental Studies
Charles Rose
1/28/10
Signature, Department or Unit Chairperson Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and
electronically to Chairperson 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
Signature
Remarks:
Disapprove
Date
Entered in Curriculum Data File ____________________________________________________
10/15/2009