Service Learning
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Serv. Learning Courses
  Spring '06
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Fall '06 Service Learning Courses

Service Learning classes work directly with community partners to help them fulfill a need in their organization. This provides students with a new learning experience outside of the classroom, in a real life situation that calls to the students to apply what they are learning in class. After the actual work with the community partner is finished, students will be required to reflect upon their experience. Through reflection, students achieve greater meaning and understanding. See the descriptions below for an idea of what classes participate in service learning.

CHE 2021 01 Organic Chemistry I
The study of fundamental concepts of organic chemistry including structure, energy relationships, reaction mechanisms, and spectroscopy. The lab emphasizes the understanding of organic and environmental chemistry through the use of organic techniques.

EDU 1000 01 Intro to Environmental Education
This course is designed as an introduction to the field of environmental education (EE). Students will examine what EE is, how it has evolved, and future trends in the field. Research, theories, resources, and careers will be introduced. Students will observe and interact with EE professionals, present an EE program to their peers or others, and produce a researched EE product.

EDU 2000 01 Early Field Experience
This course offers 60 hours of involvement in an elementary or secondary classroom or special education setting appropriate to the student’s career goal in education. This field-based course requires students to volunteer sixty hours in a classroom or other educational setting. Working with a cooperating host teacher, students observe and participate in daily classroom activities and duties. Students may assist in preparing lesson plans or materials, and work with students one-on-one, in small groups, or in whole class activities. Involvement will vary depending on individual experience and will be arranged during meetings with the cooperating teacher.

EDU 3000 01 Observation and Participation
By arrangement, students will spend a minimum of 21 hours in an inclusive classroom observing and working with two students. The primary goal is to collect data and evidence needed to write a Field Based Case Study that addresses student learning and modifying instruction for two children within that class. Students are to collect information related to the way in which these different children learn and then create recommendations for modifying instruction based on analysis of their needs.

EDU 3071 01 Math Methods
Methods of teaching mathematics in the elementary classroom will be taught through hands-on discovery of concepts in measurement, Introduction to Statistics, geometry, patterns and functions, number, arithmetic and technological application. Students will also learn how to develop technology to be used throughout the curriculum.

EDU 3500 01 Advanced Participation
By design, students may elect this course as a continuation or extension of Observation and Participation (EDU 3000) for specific purposes related to previous field work or to expand opportunities for field work in other settings related to working with children. Minimum of 21 hours is required. Field courses can be taken simultaneously with permission of instructor.

ELA 1013 01 Environmental Science
The application of general ecological principles to the study of the interactions of humans and their environment and the consequences. Students are required individually to study carefully selected topics and to submit their results in the form of a semester paper and an oral presentation.

ELA/PHI 1045 Environmental Ethics
The central theme of this course is the appropriate relation of humans to the environment. Specific topics include ethical and religious sources of the environmental crisis, our moral duties to non-human organisms, ways of conceptualizing nature, and ethical dimensions of the human population explosion.

ENV 1001 Introduction to Environmental Studies
An introduction to the environmental studies major through a study of contemporary environmental problems and career opportunities from a multi-disciplinary perspective. This course will survey a series of environmental problems such as disposal of nuclear waste, global warming and climate change, river restoration, and groundwater contamination and provide students with diverse experiences within all of the concentrations in the environmental studies program. Scientific background will be provided for each problem focus before discussing related economic, philosophical, legal, political, and recreational issues. Skills to be developed during the course include the ability to: 1) critically analyze differing opinions on environmental issues with a sound background in science, economics, and policy, 2) use library and technology resources, and 3) read peer-reviewed journal articles. 3 credits.

Environmental Studies Block Course
ENV 3054 01 Sustainable Farming Systems
“Sustainable agriculture” tends to progress from scientific/ecological theories to a set of guiding principles to on-farm applications to evaluations of economic viability. These sets of guiding principles generally evolve into systematic approaches to agriculture and how some farmers in our region have utilized these systems in farm design and practice. Systems studied will include holistic farm management, grass-based farming, Amish systems, agroforestry, and permaculture. Students will spend extensive time on an assigned farm and will design an agriculturally-based campus land use model.

ENV 3000 01 ST: Food Systems in the Northeast

SUS 3003/ENV 3004 Building Sustainable Communities
This upper level course will provide students with an understanding of the tools and philosophy required to rebuild and grow communities in ways that respect natural resources and promote diversity (human, natural and economic) and grassroots empowerment. Using case study and perhaps field-based approaches students will study such techniques as asset-based mapping, Natural Step analysis, growth management and watershed protection. Additionally, students will learn the fundamentals of financing sustainable community projects. Examples include financing redevelopment of industrial sites, pollution prevention, passive solar systems for residential, commercial and municipal buildings, watershed agreements and the like. For this part of the course, guest lecturers from the Vermont National Bank's "Socially Responsible Banking Fund" program may be invited.

PHI 3007 01 Topics in Social Political Philosophy: Peace, War, and Justice

REC 2031 01 Introduction to Outdoor Recreations Services
This course examines the growth and development aspects of the outdoor recreation movement in America, including outdoor recreation, outdoor education, and local agencies and private enterprises; trends, resources, economics, and social values; management approaches; ecological and educational implications; ethics and current issues.

REC 3008 01 Essentials of Challenge Course
This course provides participants with a model for an integrated challenge course program that emphasizes the development of physical, intellectual, and social skills in a safe, supportive and challenging environment. Particular emphasis is placed on the Project Adventure model of experiential education following the standards of the Association for Challenge Course Technology. Requires additional course fee.

REC 4051 01 Recreation Seminar
This course examines contemporary issues confronting the leisure service profession. Among the various topics to be discussed are professional philosophy, ethics, and development, as well as practical application of research. Students will be expected to utilize effectively the tools of communication, including technical writing, speech, and audiovisual techniques. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of the instructor.

REL 2009 01 Stories of the Spirit
Myths, parables and teaching stories carry the wisdom of a people from one generation to the next. We will explore stories from a variety of spiritual traditions, looking at them to find the kernels of truth hidden beneath the mystery, seeing how the common often reveals the profound to those who are willing to dig deep.