Human Ecology and Sustainability (Biol 306)
Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Dr. Brian D. Fath
Office: 273
Smith Hall
Office Phone: 410-704-2535
Email: bfath@towson.edu
Course Description:
Relationships between human society and natural ecosystems as it relates to the
sustainability of both. Relevant
scientific, socio-economic, and ethical issues will be addressed in connection
to current events such as climate change, energy policy, and land use
change/urban planning.
Course Goals:
1. To provide non-science majors with pertinent information about ecosystem functioning and services and how they interact with human society.
2. To explore the concept of sustainability and how it relates to the students’ everyday life.
3. To
provide student skills such as effective communication of ideas, critical
thinking, and scientific literacy.
Topics include:
Definition and description of natural ecosystems, ecosystem services, ecological
succession, human population, systems thinking, sustainable development,
perceptions of nature, interactions of human and natural systems.
Textbooks:
Marten GG. 2001. Human Ecology: Basic Concepts for Sustainable
Development. Earthscan
Publications, Sterling, VA.
Worldwatch Institute. 2007. State of the World 2007.
Other readings:
Patten
BC, Fath BD, Choi JS. 2002. Complex Adaptive Hierarchical Systems - background.
In: Costanza R, Jorgensen SE (eds.). Understanding and Solving
Environmental Problems in the 21st Century, Elsevier Science Ltd, London, England, pp.
41- 94.
Student responsibilities:
1.
Attendance at lectures. You
are expected to attend lectures regularly, to arrive on time, and to remain
until the lecture is completed. Missing
class may lower your performance on exams, as you are responsible for all
lecture material regardless of its inclusion in the textbook.
You are also responsible for any announcements made in class.
It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements to get someone's
notes if a class is missed.
2.
Make-up tests. Make-up
tests will not be allowed unless you have a justifiable and documented reason.
There will be no exceptions. Make-up
tests should be arranged prior to the scheduled exam and should be taken within
three days following the exam. It
is the student's responsibility to obtain permission and to make arrangements
for a make-up test. If these
procedures are not followed, a score of zero will be given for the exam.
3.
Cheating and plagiarism. The
Towson University Code of Conduct prohibits any form of cheating or plagiarism
on exams or written assignments. The consequence of being caught for cheating or
plagiarism will be a failing grade for the test, assignment, or course (at the
discretion of the instructor) and possibly a permanent note on your record.
4.
Reading assignments. In
addition to material covered in class, students will be required to read
assigned material from the textbook.
The assigned chapters are listed in the course schedule.
It is possible that other reading may be assigned from other sources.
5. Disability Support Services. Any
student registered with the Disability Support Services Department (DSS) should
provide the memorandum from DSS. At
that point, the student will receive the appropriate accommodations.
Grading Policy:
Course grade will be based on the
combined total from exams, quizzes, an individual research project, a group
recitation lead, participation and attendance.
Quizzes and homework will focus on the daily activities in class or on
the readings required for class. The
research project is an individually written paper based on additional reading
and research. Further information
regarding the project will be given during the semester. Format of exams is
multiple choice, short answer, or other formats explained to you.
Exams will be comprehensive, covering all class activities, discussions,
lectures, and readings.