IPM544 – Bioregionalism and Sustainability

Instructors: Brad Stocker, Ed.D., Mario Yanez, M.A.

Course Description:  Bioregionalism and sustainability are ecological concepts that shape one’s self-understanding and sense of belonging to the Earth community.  Sensitizing ourselves to “Earth as primary context” impacts how we connect and relate to the bioregion.  Educators will explore ways to infuse a sense of place into their teaching and help students relate to their local bioregions in ways that support ecological sustainability.

Credit Hours:  3 graduate credits

Location:  All Friday evening sessions will be held at St. Thomas University, 16400 NW 32^nd Avenue, Miami, Florida.  Room TBA.  Saturday field sessions will be at: (1) Everglades National Park; (2) Biscayne Bay and (3) Fakahatchee Strand and Big Cypress Swamp. These sites may be substituted with other sites Final Saturday session, STU

Required Texts: 
Douglas, Marjorie Stoneman. Everglades: River of Grass (any edition is acceptable)
Whitney, Ellie, Means, D. Bruce, and Rudloe, Anne. Priceless Forida: Natural Ecosystems and Native Species.

Levin, Ted. LIQUID LAND:  A Journey Through The Florida Everglades. Athens, Ga.: University of Georgia Press, 2003.

Supplemental Readings:  (excerpts will be discussed in class, purchase is not required)
Jewell, Susan D. Exploring Wild Florida. 2^nd Edition.
Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. (any edition)
Levin, Ted. Liquid Land:  A Journey Through The Florida Everglades.
Moran, John. Journal of Light: The Visual Diary of a Florida Nature Photographer.
Wilson, E.O.. Biophilia.

Course Format:

There will be three evening seminar sessions, three Saturday field experiences and a culminating Saturday seminar.

Grading:
Grading will be based on participation in the requisite seminars and field experiences as well as the a 10 page paper or other project.  Students shall maintain a journal of course experiences and will be expected to share relevant journal entries during seminar sessions.

Course Objectives: Upon the completion of this course the student will:

• Understand the concept of biophilia
• Appreciate the interrelationships among key components of the South Florida bioregion.
• Understand the concept of sustainability with respect to South Florida ecosystems.
• Be more deeply connected to our bioregion at the sensory, affective and cognitive levels.
• Be able to integrate course concepts into their personal and professional lives.
• Incorporate the concepts sustainability, biophilia and connecting to one’s bioregion into the curricula of courses they teach.

Expectations:

·         punctuality and attendance at all scheduled sessions.

·         ethical standards with respect to work submitted.

·         written assignments on or before the published due dates.

·         respect other opinions and points of view.

·         observe classroom etiquette.