Customized Syllabus--Instructions and Examples

for ENVS 4950 Integrative Seminar in Environmental Studies

ETSU, Spring 2012, O'Donnell

Customizing The Course

You will make your own, customized syllabus for this course. You'll submit it by the third week of class, to be posted here on the web. You'll modify the basic course plan to match your particular interest in environmental studies, as follows:

1. Service placement: In consultation with me, you'll arrange a service placement that reflects your interests.

2. Additional readings: In consultation with me, you will then select additional readings, related to your service placement, and to your particular interests.

Your customized syllabus will thus include all of the following:

1. Course title, with a clear, descriptive subtitle reflecting your special interest.

2. Brief statement of purpose. Describe, in a paragraph or two, your particular interest in environmental studies, as reflected in your service placement. Also describe your major, and your career plans, to the extent that you envision them, at this point.

3. Information about your service placement, including name and title of supervisor/ contact person, and a description of the activities you plan on doing.

4. Additional texts. In consultation with me, you'll select additional readings, related to your interests and placement. Types of readings may vary, but in general you'll select the equivalent of two full length books (approx. 400 words). Include 1) full citations--including subtitles, publisher and date; 2) number of pages.

Examples of Customized Syllabi

From Spring 2012:

- C. A. -- Maintaining the Appalachian Trail: A Public-Private Partnership to Promote Conservation and Recreation

- J. C. -- Managing Ecosystems, and Interpreting the Natural World to the Public: Winter and Spring at Roan Mountain State Park

- J. H. -- Spirituality, Community, and Sustainability: Environmental Education for Awareness and Change

- S. H. -- Close to Home: A study of the Cultural and Environmental Aspects of the Local Food Movement in Upper East Tennessee

- M. M. -- Water Pollution: Analyzing the Effect of Runoff on the Human Population in East Tennessee

Click here to see the final paper for this student's service project:

Analyzing and Educating about the Effect of Water Pollution on

the Human Population and Environment in Greene County, Tennessee:

Working with Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance and AmeriCorps NCCC

- R. D. -- Working with Government Agencies: Conservation and Wildlife Management; Wildlands Management

- T. W. -- Taking High Ground: The Grassroots Effort to End Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining in Southern Appalachia

From Spring 2011:

- T.H. -- Sustainable Agriculture: The Local Food Movement and Self-Sufficient Living in Upper East TN

From Spring 2010:

- H.B. -- Sustainable Foods: Ecologically and Economically Healthy eating and living

- C. C. -- A Walk in the Woods: Making the case for conservation, recreation, and environmental education

- I. W. -- History and Maintenance of the Appalachian Trail--“Voices of the Forest: An Expose of those Responsible for Maintaining the Appalachian Trail”

From Spring 2009:

- A.L. -- Wildlife Preservation: A Look at the Wolves of Bays Mountain

- Carrie -- A Walk through the Appalachian Trail: Safeguarding Knowledge and Pathways

- Ginni -- Protecting the National Forests and Their Visitors

- Marilyn -- Preserving the Natural Environment

- Robert -- Forest Conservation

From Fall 2008 Independent study:

- Jason -- Interpretation of Nature and History: Creating Excitement for Kids