教學大綱 Syllabus

課程簡介Course Description

The modern world is facing numerous environmental challenges that have become deeply embedded in our daily lives. Yet, engaging in meaningful discussions about these issues often feels overwhelming and difficult to navigate. This is partly because we may lack familiarity with the diverse assumptions and underlying premises that shape these discourses. With this in mind, this course is designed for ICI students who have a basic understanding of social sciences and are eager to connect that knowledge to critical environmental concerns. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive foundation in environment-related social science concepts, providing a stepping stone for more advanced studies in the future.

As such, this course is best suited for those new to the study of environmental issues. Students with a deeper understanding of these topics may find it more beneficial to enroll in advanced courses focusing on specific areas, such as environmental economics, sustainability transitions, or human ecology.

The course is organized around three central themes: economics, politics, and ecology. These aspects are interconnected and provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex relationships between society and the environment.

• In the first part, we will explore theories addressing the relationship between economic development and environmental issues.
• The second part examines the political dimensions of human-environment interactions, including various governance and policy approaches.
• The third part focuses on ecology, analyzing how different disciplines conceptualize and apply ecological principles and their broader implications.

To enhance your learning experience, the course incorporates diverse activities that bring global environmental issues into the classroom, helping to ground social theories in real-world contexts. You will also have ample opportunities to apply these theories to specific environmental issues, fostering both critical thinking and practical application.

Course Format                               

• Group Discussion & Short Lecture:

My role will be a facilitator who supports your learning. In particular, this course is built on group discussion and collective learning. Most learning will be based on reading assigned materials, discussion, and class activities. I will supplement these activities with short lectures that help contextualize readings, articulate learning themes across weeks, and move the discussion forward.

• A Student-centered Learning Approach:

I employ a student-centered learning approach in this course rather than a traditional lecture format (i.e., you listen to lectures to learn knowledge). The methods of learning in this course, thus, involve two major aspects:

• • Careful and critical reading of assigned materials. I will provide a weekly study guide to help you think and read materials with intention.
  • Moderated group discussion. Everyone will be assigned to a discussion group of around 5-6 students. You will be mainly interacting with these group mates throughout the semester. Everyone will rotate to serve as a group discussion facilitator and write summary reports for the group discussion.

Learning Activities                 

• Guided Reading Note:

I will provide guiding questions for each assigned reading to help you navigate and understand readings. These questions will not be difficult and only involve the readings’ most important aspects of knowledge. You will need to “answer” these guiding questions by taking notes in any way you prefer. You are not required to write lengthy answers or take extensive notes. The minimum requirement is 2-3 sentences for each question.

• Synthesis Paper

Throughout the course, you will need to analyze a specific environmental issue of your choice. At the end of the semester, you will need to finish a synthesis paper using theoretical frameworks that we learn in each week. I will also assist you to finish this paper every step of the way. Thus, I have divided the paper into four tasks that you will accomplish in different weeks of the semester. I will also provide a more detailed guideline for each task during the course.

1. Problem statement
2. Analysis table
3. First draft
4. Finalized article

• The World Environment This Week:

To facilitate you cultivate familiarity with environmental issues across the globe and to stay connected with the global world, I developed this learning activity called “The World Environment This Week.” Everyone will rotate to share the latest global environmental news each week.

• Study Journal:

Study Journal is a Google document you share with me. I will provide detailed instructions later for how to create your Study Journal. I hope this Study Journal will serve as a platform for you to monitor and track your learning progress. It will also be a good way for me to know how you are doing during these four months and what measures I could do to support your learning. You will be responsible for maintaining this Study Journal throughout the 4-month course. In specific, this Study Journal will include four components.

1. At the beginning of the course, you will need to develop your learning schedule for all the course assignments stated in the syllabus. (mandatory)
2. In the 9^th week of the course, you will need to do a mid-term reflection to evaluate your learning so far and how you may adjust your study plan in the next two months. (mandatory)
3. At the end of the course, you will need to write a brief report evaluating your learning during these four months. (mandatory)
4. You are welcome to write an update on your learning progress and status any time during the semester (e.g., once a week) on the same document. (optional)