[Plant-education] Integrative Studies/Thinking and Writing Course

[Porter-Utley, Kristen]

Hello Plant Educators,

 

My school (Keene State College, New Hampshire) is changing its general
education program.  As a result, many of us are attempting to create
courses that will meet the requirements of our new program - now called
the Integrative Studies Program.  A colleague of mine from the English
Department and I are in the process of designing a "Thinking and
Writing" course (primarily for non-biology majors - though majors may
take the course) centered on plant biology.  

 

We plan to do the following:

1)       Select a number of literary works centered on plant biology
(perhaps something like "The Botany of Desire");

2)       Center classroom discussions and lectures upon the literary
pieces and their subject matter;

3)       Take students on field trips to familiarize them with the
environment of New England and the subject matter discussed in class;

4)       Evaluate students based upon their performance on lecture
quizzes (perhaps an exam or two) and one long (nature) writing
assignment (over the course of the entire semester - we will modify
drafts, etc.).

 

The goal is to have our students (nonmajors) learn about Plant Biology
primarily through reading and writing.  Have any of you taught such a
course?  If so, I would really like to correspond with you about your
experiences.

 

Kindest Regards,

Kristen

**********************************

Kristen E. Porter-Utley, Ph.D.

Keene State College

229 Main St.

MS-2001

Department of Biology

Keene, NH 03435

Office Telephone:  603-358-2576