Graduate Course in Earth Literacy offered at St. Thomas University
IPM544 – Bioregionalism and
Sustainability
INSTRUCTOR:
Brad
Stocker, Ed.D.,
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Bioregionalism and sustainability are ecological concepts that shape
our self-understanding and sense of belonging within the Earth
community. Sensitizing ourselves to the notion that Earth is the
primary context impacts how we connect and relate to our bioregion.
Educators will explore ways to infuse a sense and spirit of place
into their teaching and will be able to help students relate to
their bioregions in ways that are ecologically sustainable.
CREDIT
HOURS:
3 graduate credits
LOCATION:
TBA - Possible locations include: St. Thomas University,
16400 NW 32nd Avenue, Miami, Florida. Room TBA.
Saturday field sessions may include: (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, TBA
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. 2nd
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.
