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Dr. Susan E. Stans
Office: 250 Whitaker, Hours:
Wed 12-1 pm; Thurs 1-3 pm or by appointment
Telephone: 941 590-7174; FAX: 941 590-7174
sstans@fgcu.edu
Dr. Stans
webpage
Social Science Web Site: http://itech.fgcu.edu/arts/iss/
Social Science Program Portfolio: http://itech.fgcu.edu/arts/iss/portfolio.html
Class meets: Wed 2 - 4:45 pm, BHG215, Jan 14 to Apr 29, 2002
Course
Description:
This seminar serves as the capstone for students with a concentration
in
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. It integrates the various paradigms
explored in other
courses and provides an opportunity for the student to explore a topic
of interest in great
detail, utilizing some of those paradigms. This year the course will
be taught in conjunction with Cross-listed with EVR 4326 "Conservation
Strategies for a Sustainable Future" with Dr. John Fitch. Students
will provide social science background to assessing and solving problems
of sustainability.
Teaching
Philosophy:
My teaching philosophy can be described as emphasizing discovery, interaction,
and critical thinking. By discovery, I mean looking for the "Aha!
Moment." For me, teaching represents an opportunity to launch a
voyage of internal and external discovery by encouraging and challenging
the individual to the thrill of life-long learning. Each student holds
the potential to find, articulate, and synthesize ideas about the world
around her or him. My role is to facilitate, guide, and nurture the
curiosity and ability of the students.
I encourage critical thinking through exams, essays, and class exercises.
Students are taught analysis of text and materials using the scientific
process to generate hypothesis, present evidence, and to synthesize
their results into projections for the future, implications for the
present, and patterning of culture from the past. In debates, I insist
that students develop both sides of an argument and in oral debates,
switch sides. I consider the ability to think critically to be major
in examining old beliefs and stereotypes, which ultimately leads to
understanding.
Required
Texts
Hawkens, P., A. Lovins, and H. Lovins. 1999. Natural Capitalism. Little
Brown and
Company (ISBN # 0-316-35316-7)
Odum, H. T., E. C. Odum, and M. T. Brown. 1998. Environment and Society
in Florida.
Lewis Publishers (ISBN # 1-57444-080-2)
Smith, F. (ed.) 1997. Environmental Sustainability: Practical Global
Implications. St. Lucie
Press (ISBN # 1-57444-077-2)
Other Required Materials
Blue Books or computer lab printouts for Final Examination
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