EDUCATION 65: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
FALL 2000
Instructor: Tracy Kay
Class: Monday, 1:15 - 4:00
Kohlberg 226
Office Hours: Monday, 11:45 - 1:15 (by appointment)
E-mail: tkay1@swarthmore.edu
tkay@schuylkillcenter.org
Phone: (215) 482-7300 ext. 114
This course will explore the roots of environmental education and its current evolution on a number of different planes. We will investigate the ways in which environmental education is being delivered in today's society both in the formal classroom setting and in "non-formal" settings. Students will survey current programs, curricula, and research and consider the role of environmental education in generating environmental awareness in light of global ecological issues. We will assess the role of environmental education in promoting positive environmental attitudes and relationships to the global environment.
Required Texts:
1. Carson, R. ÒA Sense of WonderÓ
2. Carson, R. "Silent Spring"
3. Leopold, A. "A Sandy County Almanac"
4. Nabhan, G.P. and Trimble, S. "The Geography of Childhood - Why Children Need Wild Places"
INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION?
Readings: Stapp, William B., et.al. (1969) "The Concept of Environmental Education.Ó The Journal of Environmental Education, 1(1), 30-31.
Editor, (1969) "What's New About Environmental Education?" The Journal of Environmental Education, 1(1), 1-4.
THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTERS IN DEVELOPING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE PUBLIC.
(Field Trip to The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education)
Reading: Shoman, J.J. (1969) "Nature Centers -- One Approach to Urban Environmental Education." The Journal of Environmental Education 1(2), 56-60.
PROJECT CURRICULA - AN OVERVIEW OF CURRENT EE CURRICULA AND MATERIALS
Readings: Orr, David, W. (1996) "Viewpoint - Educating For The Environment - Higher Education's Challenge For The Next Century." The Journal of Environmental Education 27(3), 7-10.
Baldauf, Richard J. (1989) "Environmental Problems - Deliver The Message - But Keep 'em Smiling." Proceedings of the National Interpreters Workshop 178-180.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - Gina Blyther, Director of Education, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
(Field Trip to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum)
Readings: Booth, Annie (1998) "Viewpoint: Caring for Nature 101, or Alternative Perspectives on Educating Resource Managers and Ecologically Conscious Citizens." The Journal of Environmental Education, 29(3), 4-10.
Kirk, Wilke, and Russey (1997) "A Survey of the Status of State-Level Environmental Education in the U.S." The Journal of Environmental Education, 29(1), 9-16.
ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY - Mike Weilbacher, Executive Director of Lower Merion Conservancy
(Field Trip to the ConservancyÕs new headquarters)
Readings: Bowers, C.A. (1996) "Viewpoint: The Cultural Dimensions of Ecological Literacy." The Journal of Environmental Education, 27(2), 5-10.
Weilbacher, M. (1993). "The Renaissance of the Naturalist." The Journal of Environmental Education, 25(1), 4-7.
First essay assignment due.
DISCUSSION OF FIRST ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
Readings: Colwell, Thomas (1997) "Viewpoint: The Nature - Culture Distinction and the Future of Environmental Education." The Journal of Environmental Education, 28(4), 4-8.
Haberman, Martin. ÒThe Pedagogy of Poverty versus Good Teaching.Ó pp. 118-130
NO CLASS
ZOO EDUCATION Ð Ron Fricke, Senior Director for Education, The Zoological Society of Philadelphia.
(Field Trip to the Philadelphia Zoo)
Readings: President's Council on Sustainable Development. (1997) "From Classroom to Community and Beyond: Educating for a Sustainable Future."
MUSEUM EDUCATION - Suzanne McCarthy, Director of Watershed Education, The Academy of Natural Sciences
(Field Trip to The Academy of Natural Sciences)
Reading: ÒExcellence and Equity Education for the Public Dimension of Musuems.Ó A Report from the American Association of Museums. 1992.
THE ENVIRONMENT AS AN INTEGRATING CONCEPT FOR LEARNING
Reading: Lieberman, G.A. and Hoody, L.C. (1998) "Closing the Achievement Gap - Using the environment as an integrating context for learning." Executive Summary, pp. 1-13.
THE WATERSHED PROGRAM
(Field Trip to Radnor Middle School Ð Mark Springer)
Reading: Jickling B. and Spork H. (1998) "Education for the Environment: A Critique." The Journal of Environmental Education, 4(3), 309-327.
ECOTOURISM AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS - Heidi Jamieson, Former Director of International Projects, The Philadelphia Zoo. Currently a general partner in World Travel Vignettes, an ecotourism business.
Reading: Kimmel, James (1999) ÒEcotourism as Environmental Learning.Ó The Journal of Environmental Education, 30(2), 40-44.
Second essay assignment due.
PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Students will keep a journal to record their observations and thoughts related to readings and experiences during the semester. The journal will be worth 30% of the final grade for the course.
2. There will be two essay assignments given out during the semester. Each essay will be worth 15% of the final grade.
3. Students will put together a curriculum mini unit about an environmental problem from a social, economic, political, ethical or ecological perspective. The unit will involve a clear rationale, set of objectives, activities for students, and will discuss how students will be evaluated. The project will be presented to other class participants during the last two sessions of the course. The project and its presentation is worth 30% of the final grade.
4. Each student should be prepared for and actively participate in discussions held during class. Class participation is worth 10% of the final grade.
TRK/cch
8/22/00