BIOL 211 Science, Literature and the Environment

Why do humans wonder about the natural world?  What draws people to explore and ask questions?  This course considers how science and literature connect in the search for these answers. With a focus on regional ecosystems, the course explores how science and literature express human, animal, plant, and landscape interrelationships. Understanding of the natural world will happen through reading, writing, and field experiences.  In addition to class time, 2-3 day field trips are required around southern Idaho and northern Utah. 

Credits

3 credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

45

Semester Contact Hours Lab

0

Semester Contact Hours Clinical

0

General Education Competency

Social & Behavioral Way of Knowing

BIOL 211Science, Literature and the Environment

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

Biology Academic

II. Course Specification

Course Type

{5B2306C7-58E4-43D4-B8A5-26C59F89A734}

General Education Competency

Social & Behavioral Way of Knowing

Credit Hours Narrative

3 credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

45

Semester Contact Hours Lab

0

Semester Contact Hours Clinical

0

Repeatable

No

III. Catalog Course Description

Why do humans wonder about the natural world?  What draws people to explore and ask questions?  This course considers how science and literature connect in the search for these answers. With a focus on regional ecosystems, the course explores how science and literature express human, animal, plant, and landscape interrelationships. Understanding of the natural world will happen through reading, writing, and field experiences.  In addition to class time, 2-3 day field trips are required around southern Idaho and northern Utah. 

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

  • Become familiar with basic concepts of conservation and ecology and the legal frameworks within which they fit.
  • Evaluate how reasoning, history, or culture informs and guides individual, civic, or global decisions through American environmental literature and conservation.
  • Become familiar with the interaction of natural history, agriculture, economic development, culture, institutions, and ideas of equity within the surrounding area.
  • Develop an environmental ethic based upon clear, consistent principles of science and aesthetics.
  • Utilize Social and Behavioral Sciences approaches, such as research methods, inquiry, or problem-solving, to examine the variety of perspectives about human experiences within the natural environment.
  • Strengthen communication skills: reading, writing, and group discussion.

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

VI. Delivery Methodologies

Assessment Strategy Narrative

Students will be assessed through a combination of essays, quizzes, research assignments, field journals, and final projects.