Course Description

The need to lead healthy, environmentally conscious lives is increasingly important. Students acquire the practical knowledge and skills required to explore current environmental challenges and identify personal plans for living in an environmentally responsible manner. Through a combination of assignments, discussion boards, and quiz work, students investigate the history and development of current environmental concerns, the environmental impact of our choices and behaviours, and strategies involved in living green.

General Education Theme Area(s)

This is a General Education course that supports learning in the following theme area(s): Science and Technology

Essential Employability Skills

This course contributes to your program by helping you achieve the following Essential Employability Skills:

EES 1 Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. (A)
EES 2 Respond to written, spoken or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. (A)
EES 3 Execute mathematical operations accurately. (A)
EES 4 Apply a systematic approach to solve problems. (A)
EES 5 Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems. (A)
EES 6 Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems. (A)
EES 7 Analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. (A)
EES 8 Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems and contributions of others. (A)
EES 10 Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects. (A)
EES 11 Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions and consequences. (A)
Assessment Levels —T: Taught A: Assessed CP: Culminating Performance 

Course Learning Requirements / Embedded Knowledge and Skills

When you have earned credit for this course, you will have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Examine current environmental issues in the context of the history of environmental degradation.

  • Recognize and discuss the effects of - acid rain - the Green House Effect - ozone depletion - global warming and climate change.
  • Describe the ethical challenges associated with climate change.
  • Discuss these environmental concerns based on fundamental issues of science.
  • Explain the steps individuals can take to reduce their impact on the environment.

2. Explore your environmental values and make practical choices to lessen your impact on the environment, aiming for sustainability at home.

  • Select environmentally friendly appliances.
  • Explain composting.
  • Choose “Green” grooming products.
  • List ways to reduce heating and cooling costs in a home.
  • Examine ways to maintain indoor air quality in a home.
  • Explore efficient use of water in a home.
  • Choose environmentally sensitive food packaging.
  • Develop a plan to be a “Green consumer”.
  • Plan an environmentally sound home garden.

3. Apply knowledge of emerging “Green” technologies to travel and transportation choices.

  • List means of travel means that are not carbon producers.
  • Examine current fuels in use today.
  • Develop strategies for reducing fuel consumption.
  • Select an environmentally-friendly mode of personal transportation.
  • Explore alternatives to using automobiles for transportation.

Pre-defined Evaluation / Earning Credit

The following list provides evidence of this course's learning achievements and the outcomes they validate:

Assignment(s) (40%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, EES 1, EES 3, EES 4, EES 5, EES 6, EES 7, EES 10, EES 11

Quiz(zes)/Test(s) (36%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, EES 2, EES 3, EES 4, EES 7, EES 10, EES 11

Discussion Forum (24%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLR 1, CLR 2, CLR 3, EES 1, EES 2, EES 4, EES 5, EES 6, EES 7, EES 8, EES 10, EES 11

Learning Resources

- An initial online Zoom introduction class.
- A Brightspace Learning Environment.
- A detailed online Study Guide for the 2021 – 2022 Academic Year.
- Numerous online resources.
- Self-directed study and research.
- Project-based learning.
- Assigned readings.
- Online quizzes and discussions.
 

REQUIRED TEXT

GREENIOLOGY 2020: Greener Living today, and in the future.

Author: Tanya Ha
Publisher: Melbourne University Press, 2012
ISBN: 9780522858549 (pbk.)
           9780522860511 (ebook) 
            
 

Learning Activities

During this course you are likely to experience:
- An initial online Zoom introduction class.
- A detailed online Study Guide for the 2021 – 2022 Academic Year.
- Self-directed study and research.          
- Project-based learning.
- Assigned readings.
- Online quizzes and discussions.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Students who wish to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all outlined course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievement for PLAR candidates includes:

  • Portfolio

Other Information

Students are required to respect the confidentiality of employer, client and/or patient information, interactions, and practices that occur either on Algonquin College premises, or at an affiliated clinical/field/co-op placement site. Concerns regarding clients, patients, and/or employer practices are to be brought to the attention of the program coordinator, or designated field/clinical/co-op placement supervisor so that they may be resolved collaboratively. Such concerns are not to be raised publically either verbally, in writing, or in electronic forums. These matters are to be addressed through established program communication pathways.

Grade Scheme

Final Grade Mark Equivalent Numeric Value Final Grade Mark Equivalent Numeric Value
A+ 90% - 100% 4.0 A 85% - 89% 3.8
A- 80% - 84% 3.6 B+ 77% - 79% 3.3
B 73% - 76% 3.0 B- 70% - 72% 2.7
C+ 67% - 69% 2.3 C 63% - 66% 2.0
C- 60% - 62% 1.7 D+ 57% - 59% 1.4
D 53% - 56% 1.2 D- 50% - 52% 1.0
F 0% - 49% 0 FSP 0 0

Course Related Information

Please refer to the Course Section Information (CSI) weekly schedule/study guide for specific course-related information as provided by your professor.

Program Information

College Related Information

Algonquin College’s policies have been developed to ensure the health, safety and security of all students, faculty and staff, and the proper and fair operation of the College as an academic institution and employer.  Please refer to the Algonquin College Policies website for the most current policy information available at http://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/.

Students are especially encouraged to be aware of the following College expectations

Academic Integrity 
Algonquin College is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity, and students are expected to uphold these standards as part of the learning process. Any academic work submitted by a student is expected to be their own work, unless designated otherwise and all sources must be attributed. All students should be familiar with the Algonquin College policy AA48: Academic Integrity .  In some courses, online proctoring may be used to discourage cheating. Additional information can be found at https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/student-learning-kit/preparing-to-learn-online/. Students with any questions about the course expectations for academic dishonesty and plagiarism are encouraged to speak to their professor.

Centre for Accessible Learning
Students with visible and/or non-visible disabilities are encouraged to register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) in order to be eligible for appropriate learning supports and/or accommodations.  Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at the Centre for Accessible Learning as early as possible when starting a program. Once your needs are identified, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be issued which you can share with your professors. If you are a returning student, please ensure that professors are given a copy of your LOA each semester.

College Email
Students at Algonquin College are provided with a college email account. This is the address that will be used when the College, your professors, or your fellow students communicate important information about your program or course activities.  Your network credentials can be found in the ACSIS portal and you are expected to check your Algonquin email regularly and to use it to send and receive college-related email. Support is available through the college Information Technology Service (ITS) at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/

Retroactive Accommodations
Students are expected to meet evaluation and completion deadlines as stated in course outline and course section information documents. In circumstances where evaluation and/or completion deadlines are missed or student performance has been affected by a temporary or permanent disability (including mental health), interim or retroactive accommodations may be considered. In such instances, please consult your course faculty member. For other situations where deferral of evaluations may be warranted, please consult Algonquin College Policy AA21: Deferred Evaluation.

Student Course Feedback
Algonquin College’s invites students to share their course experience by completing a student course feedback survey for each course they take. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA25: Student Course Feedback.

Use of Mobile Devices in Class
With the proliferation of small, personal mobile devices used for communications and data storage, Algonquin College believes there is a need to address their use during classes and examinations. During classes, the use of such devices can be  disruptive and disrespectful to others. During examinations, the use of such devices may facilitate cheating. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA32: Use of Mobile Devices in Class

Technology Requirements
As Algonquin College continues to respond to public health guidelines, many courses will be offered through remote delivery. As such, students will be required to have access to a computer and to the internet. There may also be additional technology-related resources required to participate in a course that are not included in the course materials fee, such as headphones, webcams, specialized software, etc. Details on these requirements can be found in the Course Section Information of the course outline for each course available on Brightspace.

Transfer of Credit
It is the student’s responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use to support applications for transfer of credit to other educational institutions.