Ecology and the Environment

This course will explore the intricate web of interactions between the living and nonliving elements of Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Students will discover how geography, climate, and history contribute to the flourishing of specific flora and fauna. Students will also trace the history of ecological thought through the eyes of naturalists from different time periods and cultures.

This 32-week course includes weekly 1.5-hour class sessions combining demonstration, lecture, and discussion. The first 16 weeks will focus on ecological principles. Students will choose one biome for additional research and focus that culminates in a final project presentation. Hands-on experimentation will allow students to document interactions in their backyard ecologies. The second 16 weeks of the course will engage students in critical thinking related to contemporary issues in environmental science. Research papers will encourage students to engage with multiple perspectives in ways that affirm what they can and challenge what they must to develop informed personal positions. A greater familiarity for abiotic and biotic factors in their own backyard will be developed throughout the course.

Course Objectives:###

1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of ecological relationships between organisms, humans, and the environment.
2. Students will engage in scientific inquiry and experimentation by recording observations and conducting ecological research in their local ecosystem.
3. Students will be able to analyze how the design of various structures in organisms allows them to function effectively in ecosystems.
4. Students will engage with multiple perspectives in contemporary environmental debates to evaluate the evidence and claims allowing for informed engagement in the conversation both within the course discussion and written position papers.
5. Students will reflect on the historical development of ecological understanding through the writings of naturalists in various time periods and cultures.

Texts##

• The Practical Naturalist, 9780756673291
• A Sand County Almanac, 978-0345345059
• Silent Spring, 978-0618249060
• Our Only World, 978-1619027008

Required Materials:###

• Irradiated Seeds (Available through Carolina Biological Supply Company)
• Owl Pellet
• Hand Lens