Course Syllabus
Course Outcomes
- Identify personal biases that can affect our perspective on environmental issues.
- Apply scientific principles and reasoning to critically evaluate information and data central to various environmental issues.
- Determine personal influence (both positive and negative) on environmental quality.
- Explore reasonable solutions to diminish or resolve environmental concerns, both locally and globally.
- Develop a personal plan of action.
- Identify any moral or ethical obligations to help or bless others.
Course Description
As individuals, it is often difficult to see or understand the consequences our decisions, actions, or existence may have on our environment, as well as those around us. The purpose of this class is to show the effects each one of us has as a member of a worldwide population of over seven billion, as well as the effects our population has on a local, regional, and global scale. The focus will be on how individually and collectively we impact the quality of our environment and human living conditions for both good and bad. Case studies will be used to examine an array of ecological, biological, agricultural, technological, economical, social, political, and other issues associated with a burgeoning human population. Class members will receive a foundation whereby they can make informed choices about their life, family, and community, and be better stewards of Earth’s resources.
Learning Model Architecture
We will be using the BYU-I Learning Model as a pattern for each week’s activities. Each week has a preparation section which will help you as you participate in the Teach One Another activities for the week - typically discussion boards. You will have chances to ponder and prove by writing reflections, taking quizzes every other week, and writing position papers.
Required Materials
EcoBeaker: Isle Royale Simulation Software
This must be accessed from SimBio Software via the SimUText portal. Details regarding this purchase may be found in this course page: Week 04>SimBio Software Purchase. The link and access key to the SimUText portal can be found in that page. If desired, you may make payment for the software using your student account. See details in the course page mentioned above. You can also find technical support information in the SimBio Software Purchase course page.
Cost:
Directly through SimUText site—$5
Through University Store—$6.25
Purchase your software by Wednesday of Week 04.
Grading Policies
Your grade in this course will be based on your cumulative score from assignments, group participation, quizzes, exams, and other learning activities. The following is a break-down of your final grade:
| Percent of final grade | Course Activity |
|---|---|
| 10% | Reflections |
| 10% |
Group Discussion Boards |
| 15% | Activities |
| 5% | Current Events |
| 35% | Position Papers |
| 15% | Quizzes |
| 5% | Group Presentations |
| 5% | Final Exam |
There will be many opportunities to assess your learning, participation, and performance; therefore, extra credit will not be extended to class members. As always, grades will be based on individual or group performance and participation, not on desire, effort, or time spent. Grades for this course will NOT be assigned using a normal or bell curve distribution (curving), but will be assigned using the standard University grading scale:
| 93 – 100% A | 73 – 76% C |
| 90 – 92% A- | 70 – 72% C- |
| 87 – 89% B+ | 67 – 69% D+ |
| 83 – 86% B | 63 – 66% D |
| 80 – 82% B- | 60 – 62% D |
| 77 – 79% C+ | less than 60% F |
Tutoring
Tutoring options for online students are available through the Academic Support Centers. There are tutors available to help you with writing questions and there may be course specific tutoring available. Check the details in the link provided.
Disclaimers
Each student has a responsibility to carefully read assigned materials and instructions. Questions should be noted and directed to your instructor. You also have the responsibility to contribute to others' learning through your participation in discussion boards and review material with partners.
This syllabus and the course schedule may be changed at any time prior to or during the semester as the need arises based upon circumstances. Any changes will be available to view on the course documents.
Students with Disabilities
In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to "reasonable accommodation." It is the student's responsibility to disclose to the instructor any special need he or she may have by the end of the first week of the semester.
University Policies
Read the University Policies found in the I-Learn folder titled, “Welcome.” See information about the following: Student Honor, Students with Disabilities, Sexual Harassment, and Complaints and Grievances.
Honor Code
Following the Honor Code is of great importance as you strive to be a disciple of Christ. Your commitment to live the Honor Code will contribute to the overall BYU-Idaho community. Your actions should be respectful and should foster an environment where all can feel the Spirit.
BYU-Idaho’s dress and grooming standards apply to all students, including online students. By adhering to the Honor Code you will create a learning environment, “consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” For more detailed information, see the Honor Code webpage.
Academic Honesty
As followers of Christ, all BYU–Idaho students, staff, and faculty are expected to be honest in all their dealings. This also applies and extends to behavior and actions related to academic work. It is critical for students to understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty and misconduct, which are not tolerated by the University, and strive to produce and submit only the results of their own effort and original work. To copy another person's work from the internet, a book, or from any other source and claiming it to be your own work, is plagiarism. Read the official definitions of plagiarism and cheating from the Academic Honesty portion of the Honor Code.
It is worth remembering that while students are encouraged to work with one another and share ideas, the sharing of text, code, or anything like unto it is inappropriate. When working on a group project, you have the responsibility to assure that others in the group do not plagiarize. Remember: There is never an acceptable excuse for plagiarism or cheating.
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty
Although the Academic Honesty section of the University Policies explains what constitutes each of the many forms of academic dishonesty as well as procedures and guidelines for handling such incidents, specific application of consequences are left up to each individual instructor.
In this course, instructors will be responsible for creating and applying their own policy regarding penalties for academic dishonesty, which may vary from point deductions up to the score of a zero on the entire assignment, and clearly communicating that policy to students at the beginning of the semester. Cases will be analyzed on an individual basis and penalties applied according to the severity of the misconduct.
Getting Started and Course Navigation
To begin your work in the course, finish reading this syllabus; then, work your way through all of the course pages in the Week 01 Lesson folder.
Each week, you should begin the lesson by reading the information in the Prepare page.
Generally, you will work through the items in each lesson folder in the order in which they appear in the navigation menu at the left. However, at times, you may need to return later to a specific activity, such as a discussion board in order to fully complete it.