Perspectives: Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness (PE-E) Course Guidelines

Regulation

A 5-credit course or equivalent.

Description

Courses that carry the PE-E GE designation teach students about the complexity of particular ecosystems and/or people’s interactions with nature so that students will better understand the environmental issues and trade-offs that are likely to arise in their lifetimes. The interactions between people and the Earth's environment are subtle, complex, and influenced by a variety of natural, scientific, economic, cultural, and political factors.

Courses deal with one or more of the following topics:

A. The study of particular ecosystems or environments

B.Natural forces, processes, and their effect on ecosystems

C. Climates, climate models, and climate change

D. Evolution and adaptation to the environment

E. Bio-diversity and/or the robustness of nature and its feedback mechanisms

F. How cultures relate to their natural environments

G. Human efforts to create, preserve, and modify environments

H. Management of natural resources (such as fossil fuels, forests, and fisheries)

I. Issues of sustainability (such as sustainable agriculture or renewable energy)

J. Pollution and its effect on ecosystems

K. Ecological impacts of non-native species and other ecological disasters.

Educational goals/outcomes

Students will:

• Learn about environmental issues and trade-offs that exist or are likely to arise in our lifetimes.

• Acquire an understanding of the complexity of particular ecosystems and/or people’s interactions with nature.

Student’s Response GE Questions for Substitution of GE Requirements

*(after you respond obtain instructor confirmation supporting your answers)

1. Which of the above topics does this course address?

2. Please identify the assignments that will offer students the opportunity to meet the educational goals/outcomes of the PE-E GE. Then, explain how these assignments will develop in students an understanding of the complexity of particular ecosystems and/or people's interactions with nature so that students can better understand the environmental issues and trade-offs that are likely to arise in their lifetimes.  Please do not refer reviewers to the syllabus.

3. Please describe how the students' satisfaction of the educational objective for the GE requirement will be assessed.