| Course ID: | ECOL 4900S. 3 hours. |
| Course Title: | Environmental Practicum |
Course
Description: | Ecology students work in teams to address pressing environmental
concerns identified by community stakeholders. Skills used
include problem identification, research and analysis, report
and policy drafting, and public presentation. |
| Oasis Title: | Environmental Practicum |
| Nontraditional Format: | Course includes a service-learning project during the semester
that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or
teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives.
Students will be involved in the planning and implementation of
the project(s) and may spend time outside of the classroom.
Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for
approximately 25-50% of overall instructional time.
This practicum requires students to work on group projects with
community stakeholder clients. In addition to the three regular
lecture hours, students meet within their groups, often with the
instructor and the client, for at least one additional hour per
week. |
| Prerequisite: | ECOL 3500-3500L or ECOL 3505H-3505L |
Semester Course
Offered: | Offered spring semester every year. |
| Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
|
| Course Objectives: | Students will apply fundamental theories in ecology and
environmental policy to help community stakeholders solve
real-world environmental challenges.
Students will identify and analyze all aspects (social,
ecological, and economic) of two or more environmental
challenges assigned to them.
Students will identify and apply a diverse set of resources
(online/written as well as experts) for their analysis.
Students will identify two or more potential solutions to the
challenges assigned to them, analyze the pros and cons of each,
and develop a recommendation or menu of recommendations.
Students will develop and implement a work plan to facilitate
effective and timely group work.
Students will present and defend (orally and in writing) their
recommendations to clients. |
| Topical Outline: | Lectures
-Ecological Stressors (will be tailored to that semester’s
challenges)
-Environmental Policy (will be tailored to that semester's
challenges)
-Environmental Issue Identification and Problem-solving
Strategies and Resources for Analysis
-Developing a Literature Review
-Web-based environmental research
-Making effective presentations
-Skills for engaging community partners
-Work Plan Development
-Report and Policy Drafting
-Presentation Dress Rehearsals
-Final Presentation
In-depth group discussions on problem identification and
analysis per particular issue
Multiple reviews of draft reports |