This class will be an in person, face to face class with an expectation that students will arrive ready to engage in the material for that day. Classes will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and experiential learning. Expect to be present, part of discussions, and having read all required material for the day based on the schedule. In case you weren't aware, SUU policy is that one credit hour is about 45 hours of work, so this class is like 3 weeks at a full time job with a little overtime! About 1/3 of those hours are our in-class time, so that means the other 2/3 (about 90 hours) is up to you. Expect to spend 5-6ish hours out-of-class time a week to be fully successful in this class (that will include reading, writing, discussions, quizzes, assignments, and thinking about this class while you're out on a trail). You can do it, but there is work involved.
3-2-1 Reading Quizzes (5 pts. each): You will submit a short response assignment to the assigned readings. Tell me 3 things you learned or stood out; provide 2 questions for clarification or discussion; and 1 piece of feedback.
Journal (10 pts. each I will occasionally start class with a relevant quote, table, figure, photo, etc. and provide you with a few moments to write a response. Please keep a separate notebook for the journaling exercise. Journals will be collected three times throughout the semester. You are certainly welcome to write more than the “quote quiz” responses, but I will be looking to see that you have provided some thoughtful response to or reflection on each week’s selection.
Photo Elicitation Exercise (50 pts.): Share a photograph and narrative that you feel addresses the theme of Americans in the Outdoors (a human-nature link).
Key Figure Paper (75 pts.): You will pick an important figure in the outdoors/environmental movement and write a paper about that person's role and influence. This could be a historic figure such as Teddy Roosevelt or a modern figure such as Deb Haaland. This paper should be 3-4 pages long and include a bibliography of your sources.
Carbon Footprint Exercise (50 pts.): Calculate your carbon footprint and prepare a short reflection paper.
Issue Paper (150 pts. total): You will select an environmental issue that interests you and examine multiple perspectives related to that issue. You will turn in a topic summary and abstract; complete an annotated bibliography and synthesis matrix; and write a 6-8 page paper summarizing your findings and critiquing the arguments presented.
Reflection (150 pts.): Now that you have learned the various ways in which Americans and the Great Outdoors interact with and affect one another, prepare something that describes your personal outdoor attitudes and ethic. It can be an essay, a creative writing piece, a work or art, or take any other form.
Professionalism (100 pts.): Developing professionalism is as important in your education as learning the information and practices of your field. Professional expectations for this course include:
· Attendance: attending class meetings and trips; arriving on-time
· Preparation: being adequately prepared for class activities by completing assigned readings, bringing appropriate equipment and materials, etc.
· Follow-through: fulfilling commitments and completing work in a thorough and attentive manner
· Participation and Expedition Behavior: meaningful participation and modeling good expedition behavior
· Appropriate use of technology
· Professional communication in email and other modes of communication
A final professionalism grade will be assigned at the end of the semester based on your performance on these criteria over the course of the semester.