Greening the Campus (Honors Course)

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to sustainability and the science of selected environmental issues. This will be a field study course focusing on selected environmental aspects of campus life. Through field work, the students will not only gain practical knowledge of sustainability but also strengthen the campus culture in support of environmental issues. The course will focus on selected environmental topics / aspects and will connect / be coordinated with ongoing sustainability activities on campus.

RATIONALE:

The operation of a university has clear environmental impacts and in this way, it is a living laboratory for environmental science work. This course aims to provide students the opportunity to learn about environmental issues and improve their relation with nature and the environment, while promoting sustainability through actual field work in their own college community. In this process, students will understand basic concepts of environmental science, get a sense of the interdisciplinary / integrated nature of sustainability, as well as acquire a hands-on understanding of scientific methods through experiential learning.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of environmental concepts, terms, and principles, as well as of the multiple dimensions of sustainability;

2. Apply scientific tools to field-based research;

3. Engage in multi and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental problems, and demonstrate ability to integrate different bodies of knowledge;

4. Apply environmental principles and theories to an analysis of selected environmental problems and engage in problem-solving that benefits the ACG community;

5. Demonstrate awareness of the ethical dimensions of sustainability. METHOD OF

TEACHING AND LEARNING:

In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:

1. Field work (i.e. identification of data sources, observation, field study, surveys).

2. A series of introductory / pre-field work lectures as needed (e.g. theoretical background on selected environmental topics related with the specific field project).

3. Regular meetings and discussions with the students and the participation of invited faculty members.

4. Use of online interactive tools. 5. Invited speakers and/or visits to selected sites 6. Students’ presentation.